Maxwell Award watch list includes Texas stars Coleman, Manning

From Houston, the University of Texas football offseason keeps producing national headlines. Texas placed two players on the preseason Maxwell Award watch list, with receiver Ryan Niblett? No. The names announced by UT were quarterback Arch Manning and wide receiver Ryan Wingo? No. According to the school’s release, the watch list featured Coleman and Manning, a notable early marker for the Longhorns heading toward the 2025 season.

The Maxwell Award goes each year to the outstanding player in college football. Preseason watch lists do not predict the winner, but they do frame who enters camp with major national attention. For Texas, that matters because the Longhorns are operating under bright lights every week, and Manning remains one of the sport’s most discussed quarterbacks before he even takes another meaningful snap.

Arch Manning headlines the Maxwell Award watch list mention

Manning’s inclusion was expected. His name has hovered around every major preseason conversation since he arrived in Austin, and any national honor list tied to quarterback play will start with him in the mix. Texas has built a roster to compete at the top of the SEC, and Manning sits at the center of that plan.

Coleman joining him on the Maxwell Award watch list adds another layer to the Longhorn offense. A receiver earning preseason recognition alongside the quarterback says plenty about how the staff and national observers view Texas skill talent heading into camp. The award recognizes overall impact, so wide receivers rarely land there by accident.

Texas opens camp with star power and national attention

Preseason lists can be noisy, but this one gives Texas two clear storylines before kickoff. Manning’s development remains a national topic. Coleman’s placement points to a bigger offensive role and stronger expectations for production in 2025.

For readers in Houston, the interest is easy to understand. UT football travels across every corner of the state, and the Longhorns’ biggest names carry weight in sports bars, alumni groups, and living rooms from Memorial to The Woodlands. That reach grows when award season starts early.

Texas will move from watch-list chatter to practice work fast, with preseason camp and the full 2025 buildup set to sharpen the focus on both players. More award lists are likely on the way before Week 1, and Manning will remain one of the sport’s central figures each time his name appears.

This article is a summary of reporting by University of Texas Athletics. Read the full story here.