The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Football’s Robertson lands on Rimington Trophy preseason watch list
08.06.2026 | Football
Robertson is the first Longhorn selected to the watch list since 2024.
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Football fifth-year offensive lineman Connor Robertson has been named to the preseason watch list for the Rimington Trophy, the Boomer Esiason Foundation announced Thursday. The Rimington Trophy is awarded annually to the most outstanding center in college football.
It's the first time Robertson has been named to the award's watch list. Robertson is the first Longhorn placed on the watch list since former UT center Jake Majors was selected prior to the start of the 2024 season.
The Austin, Texas, native has played in 30 career games with eight starts. In 2025, Robertson saw action in all 13 games with eight starts at center with seven of those starts coming in Texas' final seven games of the year.
Robertson made his first career start vs. Sam Houston on Sept. 20, spearheading Texas' offense record 607 total offensive yards. Robertson protected QB Arch Manning, who completed 18-of-21 passes for 309 yards and three passing touchdowns. He also allowed for 264 rushing yards, including a 50-yard scramble by QB Matthew Caldwell, as well as four rushing touchdowns vs. the Bearkats. In his second and third starts of the season, Robertson helped the Longhorns claim back-to-back road wins at Kentucky (Oct. 18) and Mississippi State (Oct. 25). Robertson did not allow a sack and protected Manning, who completed 25-of-33 passes for 328 yards and three touchdowns against No. 9/11 Vanderbilt on Nov. 1. In Texas' home win vs. Arkansas on Nov. 22, Robertson spearheaded Texas' offense to 52 points against the Razorbacks. Manning aired it out with 389 passing yards and four touchdowns vs. the Hogs. Robertson guided Texas to a 27-17 win vs. No. 3/3 Texas A&M on Nov. 28 to end the regular season. Robertson and the offensive line paved the way for 218 rushing yards and 397 total yards of offense against the nation's 15th-ranked total defense. They blocked for RB Quintrevion Wisner, who ran for a season-high 155 rushing yards on 19 attempts while averaging 8.2 yards per carry. In the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl against Michigan, Robertson anchored a Texas offense that put up 41 points and register 456 yards of total offense vs. the Wolverines. Manning ran for 155 yards and two scores, including a 60-yard rush in the fourth quarter. Robertson provided a clean pocket for Manning, who threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns while the Texas run game amassed 235 yards on the ground.
The 2026 Rimington Trophy watch list features 40 centers from across the Football Bowl Subdivision and was assembled by the Rimington Trophy committee in collaboration with Pro Football Focus (PFF), utilizing school nominations and PFF's play-by-play grading data. Additional players may be added during the season based on on-field performance.
Texas opens the 2026 season vs. Texas State at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday, Sept. 5, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The game will broadcast on ESPN.
