The college football preseason unofficially kicks off for Texas football and 15 other teams in the nation’s deepest league with SEC media days this week in Tampa, Fla.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian‘s team went 10-3 a year ago and fell short of the College Football Playoff for the first time in three seasons. The Longhorns rebuilt their roster with their biggest transfer portal overhaul yet in Sarkisian’s first six offseasons. The new players as well as plenty of talented returners, led by quarterback Arch Manning, will likely boost Texas near the top of almost every preseason poll.
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That hype will kick into overdrive this week, when media from across the country gather in Tampa, Fla., to talk all things SEC.
Here are seven questions and answers about Texas football at SEC media days.
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning talks with members of the media during the Manning Passing Academy at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux on Friday, June 26, 2026.
Brett Duke/New Orleans Times-Picayune
How long does SEC media days last?
When/where: Monday-Thursday in Tampa, Fla.
Daily schedule: Monday — Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma and Tennessee; Tuesday — Auburn, Georgia, South Carolina and Vanderbilt; Wednesday — Alabama, Florida, Ole Miss and Texas A&M; Thursday — Arkansas, LSU, Missississippi State and Texas.
Our coverage: The American-Statesman’s team of beat writers Danny Davis and Thomas Jones and columnist Cedric Golden will provide daily coverage beginning Tuesday on Hookem.com.
It stretches for four days, from Monday through Thursday. No other conference in the nation — not even the 18-team Big Ten — has as long a preseason media gathering. And no other conference draws as many media members and outlets.
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What exactly is SEC media days?
Basically, it’s a series of glorified press conferences that highlight the league’s 16 coaches and three players from each team. Each coach will address the media from behind a podium in a banquet room and field called-on questions before each player will have separate, less-formal interviews. In addition, each school will have breakout media sessions for its local media. For media folks in every medium, the week also provides unmatched networking opportunities rarely seen during the season.
MORE: Teagan Kavan among top 5 Texas Longhorns of 2025-26. Who else made the list? | Golden
How does each team select its players for SEC media days?
Star power certainly plays a part, because all teams want as much positive attention as possible, especially from national media outlets. But programs also want players that will stay on point when it comes to the messaging of each respective coach. That often means the best quotes won’t make the trip to Florida.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian ytalks to the team after practice on fan day at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aril 18, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Which three players are coming for Texas?
Manning, edge rusher Colin Simmons and left tackle Trevor Goosby will represent Texas, which is no surprise considering all three project as preseason All-Americans as well as first-round picks in the 2027 NFL Draft. Based on past interviews, Manning and Goosby will both stick to the company line when it comes to discussing Texas football. But the free-spirited Simmons could add some spice to this week’s media sessions, considering he’s never shied away from giving his unvarnished opinion.
MORE: Texas football recruiting: Each commitment for 2027 class, where the Longhorns rank
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What about the Aggies? Which players are representing Texas A&M?
Quarterback Marcel Reed will attend his first SEC media days after coach Mike Elko surprisingly left him at home a year ago. Safety Marcus Ratcliffe and linebacker Daymion Sanford also will represent Texas A&M. The addition of Sanford seems notable because he suffered what looked like a serious injury in the spring game. His presence before the cameras and phones likely reflects Elko’s confidence that Sanford will be ready for the season.
Marcel Reed (10) of Texas A&M runs with the ball in the first quarter against Miami during the 2025 College Football Playoff First Round Game at Kyle Field on Dec. 20, 2025 in College Station. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Alex Slitz/Getty Images
Which SEC players will draw the biggest crowds?
Based on the dozens of media members that wove their way through the bayou to reach the Manning Passing Academy in Thibodaux, La, last month, this is an obvious answer. Manning unquestionably serves as the face of the Texas Longhorns and perhaps all of college football. His family surname still acts as a magnet for the media, especially down south. But Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss will draw his share of attention, too, especially after he won the right for a sixth year of eligibility despite NCAA opposition.
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What will be the most entertaining day when it comes to the coaches?
Whether he’s mocking Ole Miss’ academic requirements or calling out a cupcake schedule for Big 12 power Texas Tech, Sarkisian seems to have embraced his role this offseason as a heel. Perhaps he’s spent more time hanging around good buddy Lane Kiffin, the LSU head coach who always likes needling friends and foes alike. Both address the media Thursday; think there might be a case of one-upmanship when it comes to raising eyebrows?