Wide receiver, defensive back duo recognized for strong Fall Camp showings

When evaluating Texas football’s 2026 roster, it’s easy to become hyperfixated on the biggest names – ones like Arch Manning, Cam Coleman and Colin Simmons.

However, in a media availability on Monday, head coach Steve Sarkisian wanted to make sure two players who might not immediately be thought of got recognition for their training camp performances: sophomore defensive back Graceson Littleton and junior wide receiver Emmett Mosley V.

“The two hardest-playing players on our team right now are Graceson Littleton and Emmett Mosley, and they’re playing at an extremely high level,” Sarkisian said. “Not a good level – I’m talking (an) extremely high level.”

The two line up against each other in practice everyday, something Sarkisian credits to each of their standout performances so far this August. He compared their play to “iron sharpening iron,” something critical for both Littleton and Mosley as they embrace their second year with the Longhorns.

Littleton turned heads immediately upon arriving on the Forty Acres last season, making it clear right away that he wouldn’t require an adjustment period to be ready for big games. He earned eight starts in and appeared in all 13 games for Texas last season, recording 47 total tackles, four tackles for loss and two interceptions.

This season, he looks to build upon the confidence he gained during his first year with the program.

“(Earning confidence) comes with not even playtime, but really just doing the right things,” Littleton said. “(It comes with) making the right habits, doing the right things each day, and I’d say I earned some confidence from last year that’s helped me this year.”

Having spent a significant amount of time in the film room in an effort to adjust to new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp’s defensive style, Littleton continues working to earn Muschamp’s trust. Luckily for the second-year defensive back, he’s no stranger to quickly adjusting to new playbooks and executing in big games.

On the other side of the line of scrimmage, Mosley is a receiver who flies under the radar at times because of the attention on junior wide receivers Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo. However, what he did for the Longhorns during his first year with the program had a significant impact on their season.

Most notably, the Stanford transfer sealed Texas’ overtime road victory against the Mississippi State Bulldogs with a 10-yard touchdown reception. He logged two total touchdowns in that matchup and recorded 28 receptions for 408 total yards on the season.

Having him in the rotation this season could create problems for opposing defenses trying to figure out how to spread out their defensive secondaries.

As Texas readies itself to navigate a physical schedule, having players engaging in tough practice battles is a necessary step on the road to success. Littleton and Mosley will look to continue separating themselves as the season gets underway just over a week from now.

“(They are) two guys that push themselves every day, whether it’s in the pass game (or) the run game,” Sarkisian said. “It just shows.”

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