Texas already has plenty of headline-grabbing names on offense as it moves toward the 2026 season, but the Longhorns may have something just as valuable waiting on the other side of the ball. With Will Muschamp now steering the defense, the unit has the talent to rank among the best in the country, and sophomore defensive back Graceson Littleton is shaping up to be one of the key pieces.
Littleton spoke with the media on Thursday and sounded comfortable with where he is after a full offseason in Muschamp’s system.
"I think it's been great, to be honest," Littleton said. "From the spring to now, I think I've learned a lot in Muschamp's system, and I think Coach Orphey has been a big part of that.
Meeting with them throughout the summer was a big help. I'm ready for the season."
That confidence makes sense considering how quickly Littleton rose during his first year in Austin. The four-star recruit was a late addition to Texas’ No. 1 2025 class, but he wasted no time making an impression once he arrived on campus. By Week 1 against Ohio State, he had already earned the starting star job, and he kept building from there.
Littleton became a steady presence for Texas throughout his true freshman season, finishing with 47 tackles, four tackles for loss, two interceptions, eight pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. His debut campaign was good enough to land him on the 247Sports True Freshman All-American team.
Now the conversation has shifted from surprise impact to next-step growth, and Littleton pointed to the difference between last year’s approach and the one he is learning now.
"All the defensive scheme we run it's completely different than last year," Littleton said. "Coach Muschamp, he has a certain pride; he cares about the star position. I carried it my way last year, but I'm learning to carry it his way this year with his team as well."
Texas still has some sorting to do in the secondary, especially at cornerback and at one starting safety spot. Littleton’s versatility gives the staff options, though. He has already shown he can thrive at nickel, and the Longhorns have also spent time experimenting with him outside at corner.
"Coach O's been a big part of that, so just meeting with him in the film room in the summer, getting extra individual time, the PRPs were a big help," Littleton said. "So just adjusting to more of a corner role this year, it hasn't been too much of a big task with all the help at hand."
However Muschamp decides to use him, Littleton looks like a player Texas can trust in the secondary.
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