Four standout players from Texas Football—OL DJ Campbell, TE Jack Endries, LB Anthony Hill Jr., and EDGE Colin Simmons—have been named to the midseason watch list for the prestigious Lombardi Award, as announced Tuesday morning by the award committee.
All four were previously featured on the preseason watch list released on August 12. Texas’ four selections tie for the second-most among all programs, trailing only Alabama (5) and matching Ohio State and Clemson (4 each).
Last season, Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr. became the first offensive lineman and fourth Longhorn overall to win the Lombardi Award, joining past winners Brian Orakpo (2008), Tony Degrate (1984), and Kenneth Sims (1981). Nine other Longhorns have been finalists, including Justin Blalock (2006), Derrick Johnson (2004), and Jerry Sisemore (1972).
Player Highlights
DJ Campbell
A senior offensive guard from Arlington, Texas, Campbell was also named to the preseason watch list for the 80th Outland Trophy and earned First-Team All-SEC honors in July. He’s started all six games at right guard this season, helping sophomore QB Arch Manning throw for 1,317 yards and 12 touchdowns. Manning ranks second in the SEC in points responsible for (102) and averages 219.5 passing yards per game. Texas has rushed for over 100 yards in five of six games, averaging 166.6 yards on the ground.
Jack Endries
A junior transfer from Cal, Endries has made an immediate impact in his first season at Texas, starting all six games. He’s recorded 11 catches for 112 yards and two touchdowns. His top performances include a four-catch, 50-yard outing against Ohio State and a two-touchdown game versus San Jose State.
Anthony Hill Jr.
Now in his third year, Hill has played in 36 games with 28 starts. In 2025, he’s posted 37 tackles (16 solo), one tackle for loss, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. He led the team with 14 tackles against Florida and had two forced fumbles versus San Jose State. Hill appeared on multiple preseason watch lists, including the Bednarik, Butkus, Nagurski, and Walter Camp awards.
Colin Simmons
A second-year EDGE rusher, Simmons leads Texas in tackles for loss (5.0), sacks (4.0), and QB hurries (5). He earned SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week honors on Oct. 13 after a dominant performance against Oklahoma, where he recorded 2.5 sacks and five tackles. Simmons was also named to several preseason watch lists, including the Bednarik and Nagurski trophies.
Defensive Dominance
Led by Hill and Simmons, Texas’ defense ranks among the nation’s best:
- 3rd in scoring defense (11.0 ppg)
- 4th in rushing defense (74.3 ypg)
- 5th in kickoff return defense
- 6th in fourth-down conversion defense
- 10th in passing efficiency and first down defense
- 11th in total defense and turnovers gained
- 12th in interceptions
The Longhorns have held six of their last seven opponents under 100 rushing yards and lead the SEC with 12 takeaways (eight interceptions, four fumbles).
Semifinalist List & Award Timeline
Other semifinalists include CJ Allen (Georgia), Deion Burks (Oklahoma), Ernest Hausmann (Michigan), and Michael Taaffe (Texas), among others. Three finalists will be announced on Dec. 16, with the winner revealed at the Lombardi Award ceremony on April 16, 2026, at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
