One of the University of Texas at Austin’s most viral fans doesn’t have the last name Powell, or McConaughey. But their star power is undeniable. 

In his first two years as a student at UT Austin, Peston Powe, 20, has become a staple of live game coverage. But soon TV watchers won’t just see him ripping off his shirt when the Longhorns are winning, they’ll also get to see him on screen with Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson. 

Flame-haired Powe, endearingly known as “Big Red” by Longhorn Nation, is playing a part in McConaughey and Harrelson’s new show, Brothers set to premiere Wednesday, September 23, on Apple TV. His infectious energy and Texas-sized love for the Longhorns landed him the role which he also hopes will help propel his own acting dreams. 

“I always say to myself, like when I was in high school, like if I could tell like my high school [self] Preston, ‘yo, in two years you’ll have acted with Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson,'” Powe told MySA. “I think it would send him into shock.”

Powe is a junior studying acting in the College of Fine Arts at UT Austin. He started going to Texas football games his freshman year and hasn’t stopped since. His first viral moment happened when he was spotted in the crowd passionately singing “Dancing Queen” by Abba on a Jumbotron in 2024.

But last year, he quickly grew in popularity after going viral online for ripping his shirt off while lip synching “Mo Bamba” during a Sam Houston game, which has now become his signature move. Shortly after that, he was initiated into a group of die-hard Longhorns that are in the front row of the student section at every Texas football game. 

Powe says they camp out at least three hours before every game, if not overnight for big games like the Red River Rivalry, Texas A&M and more recently, Ohio State. As he started making more content with Texas football, he was discovered by an agent who encouraged him to audition for a “Crazy College Kid” role in McConaughey and Harrleson’s new show, which she thought he’d be perfect for. 

“I was just like gagged,” Powe said. “And when she tells me that I got it, it was like such a surreal moment for me.”

First announced in 2023, Brothers stars the pair as versions of themselves based on a rumor that McConaughey and Harrelson are unknowingly half brothers. Powe filmed in December 2025 and described working with both Texas stars as a dream come true. He said McConaughey recognized him from the games and even gave him some acting advice. 

“That whole day was just like a fever dream, honestly,” Powe said. “But it was like cool to get to work with them. It was a very fun set, fun environment and then all the other actors that I was in the scene with, they were super cool.” 

While this is Powe’s first professional acting gig, he said he’s excited to see where the opportunity takes him next and will continue to hype up UT fans every chance he gets on and off the field.

“I hope that people see this and they laugh and they find joy in it,” Powe said. “I hope to keep getting opportunities to act and to bring people joy. That’s why I try to do this, and so you know any opportunities that I’m going to get to do that, I’m going to take very gratefully.”