The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 5/4 Football trio named to Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year watch list
08.26.2026 | Football
Texas and three other programs lead the nation with three selections apiece.
AUSTIN, Texas – No. 5/4 Texas Football freshmen Tyler Atkinson (LB), Jermaine Bishop Jr. (WR) and Richard Wesley (EDGE) were named to the preseason watch list for the 2026 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Wednesday. The award is presented annually to the most outstanding freshman in college football.
Texas, Alabama, Michigan and Ohio State lead the country with three players apiece named to the preseason watch list.
In 2024, Texas EDGE Colin Simmons won the program's first Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year award. Texas' three selections to this year's watch list are the most since the Horns had four players named to the 2023 watch list.
Atkinson early enrolled at Texas during spring 2026. Hailing from Lawrenceville, Ga., Atkinson was the recipient of the High School Butkus Award as a senior in 2025, which is awarded annually to the nation's top high school linebacker. Atkinson was named the Gatorade Georgia High School Player of the Year in 2025. Atkinson was listed as a five-star recruit by Rivals and ESPN and rated the No. 1 linebacker recruit and the No. 19 overall national recruit in his class by Rivals. As a senior at Grayson, Atkinson made 77 tackles (38 solo) including 25 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, two forced fumbles and one recovery. As a junior, he earned 2024 MaxPreps National Junior of the Year honors after helping Grayson finish 14-1 with a Georgia AAAAAAA championship win and No. 7 national ranking. He posted 153 tackles (70 solo) including 29 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. He logged 42 quarterback hurries, one interception, one blocked field goal, one pass defended, a forced fumble and fumble recovery. During his sophomore year, he was named a 2023 MaxPreps Sophomore All-American after setting a school record with 197 tackles (118 solo), 25 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, 23 quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles in the team's state AAAAAAA semifinal campaign.
Bishop Jr. is from Willis, Texas, and early enrolled at Texas during spring 2026. A five-star recruit, the No. 2 athlete recruit and No. 16 overall recruit in his class by 247Sports, Bishop was named Dave Campbell's Mr. Texas Football winner as a senior, becoming the third Longhorn to win the prestigious award. Earning snaps at wideout, slot, running back and safety, Bishop had 86 receptions for 1,241 yards and 14 touchdowns (14.4 ypc) in addition to 34 rushes for 378 yards and four touchdowns. He had one of the best playoff games in Texas high school football history to guide Willis to a third round playoff win over Forney on Nov. 29, 2025, reeling in 15 receptions for 328 receiving yards, three touchdowns and also added seven carries for 19 yards and a rushing touchdown to go along with 2-for-3 passing for 42 yards, a 39-yard punt return and an interception. As a junior, he recorded 83 catches for 1,565 yards and 18 touchdowns (18.9 ypc). On the defensive side of the ball, he posted 26 tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and six pass breakups. As a sophomore, he reeled in 80 passes for 1,414 yards and 17 touchdowns. He recorded 26 carries for 384 yards and seven touchdowns (14.8 ypc). Defensively, he had 37 tackles, two tackles for loss, five interceptions including one for a touchdown and one kick return touchdown.
Wesley is from Sylmar, Calif., and early enrolled at Texas during spring 2026. Wesley was rated a five-star recruit by ESPN and Rivals and the No. 2 defensive end prospect in his class by ESPN. Wesley reclassified from the class of 2027 to the class of 2026. Across 34 varsity games, Wesley registered 27 sacks. In 2025 at Sierra Canyon, Wesley notched 29 tackles (23 solo), 12.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hurries, five interceptions, one pass defended and one forced fumble. Wesley earned snaps on offense, resulting in a 23-yard rushing touchdown and a 16-yard reception. Wesley was tabbed a MaxPreps Sophomore All-American after totaling 44 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, nine sacks, eight quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles. He had a 10-tackle, one-sack performance vs. Mater Dei.
The award will announce 14 semifinalists on Nov. 4, and the five finalists will be revealed on Dec. 2. The 2026 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year recipient will be announced on Dec. 28.
The Longhorns open the 2026 season against Texas State at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday, Sept. 5, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The game will broadcast on ESPN with Roy Philpott (play-by-play), Brock Osweiler (analyst) and Sherree Burruss (reporter) on the call.
