Texas Baseball Flexes Star Power with Five Preseason All-Americans
AUSTIN, Texas - The University of Texas baseball program is entering 2026 with serious momentum, and the rest of the college baseball world is officially on notice. Five Longhorns-Carson Tinney, Dylan Volantis, Cal Higgins, Aiden Robbins, and Josh Livingston-have earned preseason All-America honors from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA), tying Texas with Georgia Tech, TCU, and Virginia for the most selections in the nation.
This isn’t just a nod to individual talent-it’s a testament to the depth and firepower Texas is bringing into the new season. Three of those five-Tinney, Volantis, and Higgins-landed on the NCBWA First Team, while Robbins and Livingston were recognized on the Third and Fourth Teams, respectively. In a stacked Southeastern Conference, Texas is making it clear: they’re not just contenders-they’re loaded.
Let’s break down what makes each of these Longhorns worthy of national attention.
Carson Tinney: The Bat Behind the Mask
A consensus preseason All-American, Tinney isn’t just one of the top catchers in the country-he’s one of the top hitters, period. Last season, the Notre Dame transfer led all Power Four players in WRC+ (179) and wOBA (.535), two advanced metrics that speak volumes about his offensive efficiency and impact. He also posted a monster OPS of 1.251, ranking third nationally in that category.
Tinney’s production wasn’t just about numbers-it was about consistency and clutch performance. He led the Irish in 10 offensive categories, including a .348 batting average, 17 home runs, 53 RBI, a .498 OBP, and a .753 slugging percentage.
Those are video game numbers for a catcher, and they helped land him as one of three finalists for the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award. Now in burnt orange, he’ll be anchoring the Texas lineup and handling a talented pitching staff.
Dylan Volantis: Freshman Sensation, Veteran Composure
Volantis turned heads last year as a freshman, and it’s no surprise he’s racking up preseason accolades again. The 6-foot-6 lefty was named NCBWA National Freshman Pitcher of the Year in 2025, and for good reason. He led all freshmen nationally in WHIP (0.88) and saves (12), showing elite command and poise well beyond his years.
His 11 saves in SEC play set a new freshman record, breaking a 22-year-old mark previously held by Ole Miss’ Steven Head. That’s not just a strong debut-that’s historic.
Volantis also ranked second among Division I freshmen in ERA (0.194) and opponent batting average (.185), proving he wasn’t just a closer-he was a shutdown weapon. With another year under his belt, the lefty could be one of the most dominant bullpen arms in the country.
Cal Higgins: Quiet Killer Out of the Pen
Higgins might not be the loudest name on the list, but his numbers speak volumes. The Western Kentucky transfer put together a stellar senior season, posting a 1.87 ERA-fourth-best in the country among pitchers with at least 40 innings. He also recorded six saves and struck out 52 batters over 43.1 innings of work.
Opponents hit just .190 against him, and he made 22 appearances-tied for the team lead. A Second Team All-Region pick, Higgins brings experience and late-inning stability to a Texas bullpen that already features Volantis. That’s a one-two punch most teams would kill for.
Aiden Robbins: Table-Setter and Game-Changer
Robbins, a Seton Hall transfer, is the kind of top-of-the-order bat that can change the complexion of a game in a hurry. He ranked fifth in Division I last season in on-base percentage (.537) and sixth in batting average (.422). That’s elite-level production from a guy who also brings speed, power, and plate discipline.
The 6-foot-2 outfielder led his team in nearly every major offensive category: runs (63), hits (86), doubles (19), total bases (133), walks (44), slugging (.652), stolen bases (20), and multi-hit games (26). He was a First Team All-BIG East selection and earned Second Team All-Region honors. Robbins is the kind of player who can spark a rally or extend one-and he’s likely to be a fixture at the top of Texas’ lineup all season.
Josh Livingston: Power Bat with a Veteran Edge
Livingston rounds out the Longhorns’ All-America group with a well-earned spot on the Fourth Team. The Wichita State transfer led the Shockers in home runs (15), RBI (48), total bases (117), and slugging percentage (.555) last season. He also hit .284 and scored 43 runs, showing he’s more than just a power bat.
Livingston’s 28 walks tied for the team lead, a sign of his mature approach at the plate. He brings pop, patience, and experience to the Texas infield and adds yet another layer to an already dangerous offensive unit.
Texas Is Built to Compete-Now It’s About Execution
With five preseason All-Americans, Texas isn’t flying under anyone’s radar. This is a team with top-tier talent across the board-at the plate, on the mound, and in the field. They’ve got veteran leadership, high-upside transfers, and young stars who’ve already proven they can shine on the big stage.
Now, the challenge is putting it all together. If the Longhorns can stay healthy and find chemistry early, they’ve got the pieces to make a serious run-not just in the SEC, but deep into June.
The rest of college baseball? They’ve been warned. Texas is coming.