8 AP Top 25 College Football Programs Shut Out of 2026 Preseason All-America Honors

The 2026 college football season is fast approaching, and all of the major preseason rankings and award watchlists either already have been or will be released as we count down the days to kickoff.

One of the biggest preseason watchlists that drops every preseason is the AP All-American teams. Much like their end-of-season counterparts, these lists are determined by media members voting for who they believe the top players in the country will be at each position.

This year's preseason All-American teams were released Wednesday afternoon and featured some of the top players from college football's top programs.

While many of the nation's top squads were well-represented, though, there were some surprising omissions, including eight of the AP's preseason Top 25 teams being left off the preseason All-American lists entirely.

Here are the eight Top 25 teams without a preseason All-American, and the top players from each of them in 2026.

No. 8 Texas A&M Aggies

Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) looks to throw the ball during the game between the Aggies and the Hurricanes at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The highest-ranked program without an All-American selection, and perhaps the most surprising, are the Texas A&M Aggies, who debuted at No. 8 in the preseason Top 25. The Aggies have as much top-flight talent as anybody on their roster, headlined by star quarterback Marcel Reed.

Star safety Marcus Ratliffe is also returning for his senior campaign and was named to the preseason Bronko Nagurski and All-SEC watchlists. With so much talent and legit national championship aspirations, it's shocking that the voters didn't select anybody from College Station.

No. 15 USC Trojans

Another squad that is absolutely loaded with talent but curiously nowhere to be found in the All-American lists is the USC Trojans, who came in at No. 15 in the preseason AP Poll.

The headliner for Southern Cal is none other than star quarterback Jayden Maiava, who was the Big Ten's leading passer in 2025 with 3,711 yards to go along with 24 touchdowns.

The Trojans also have star corner Jontez Williams, who was named to the Jim Thorpe Award preseason watchlist, and dynamic tailback Waymond Jordan returning for another season in the Coliseum.

No. 17 Washington Huskies

The Washington Huskies will enter the 2026 campaign ranked No. 16 in the land, and they are a popular sleeper pick for many to make a run at the College Football Playoff.

Led by star quarterback Demond Williams Jr., who was one of the top gunslingers in the Big Ten in 2025, the Huskies boast a roster full of talent and experience. UW also returns several key pieces along the offensive line, including star guard John Mills, who many draft experts expect to be an early-first-round selection in next spring's NFL Draft.

No. 18 Penn State Nittany Lions

The Nittany Lions are gearing up for their first season under new head coach Matt Campbell, and they will welcome a number of new faces who arrived at State College through the transfer portal this offseason.

One familiar name who decided to stick around, though, is senior linebacker Tony Rojas, who figures to be one of the top players at his position in the nation in 2026. Penn State will also have several Iowa State transfers making plays, including star tight end Benjamin Brahmer and dynamic safety Jeremiah Cooper.

No. 19 SMU Mustangs

The SMU Mustangs will be looking to make their second CFP appearance in three seasons this year, and they will have as good a shot as anybody coming out of what figures to be a very competitive ACC.

Leading the way for the Mustangs is star offensive lineman PJ Williams, who earned Second Team All-ACC honors after a stellar 2025 campaign in which he started all 13 games at left tackle and helped anchor one of the top offensive lines in the country.

No. 20 Tennessee Volunteers

The Tennessee Volunteers will look to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 campaign, in which they went 8-5 overall and 4-4 in SEC play.

The top returner for the Vols is likely to be offensive lineman Wendell Moe Jr., who started 11 games for the Vols in 2025 after transferring in from Arizona and earned first-team All-SEC and second-team All-American honors for his play.

Tennessee will also have 2025 freshman All-American tackle David Sanders Jr. and third-team All-SEC defensive back Ty Redmond returning to Rocky Top as well.

No. 21 Utah Utes

Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) throws a pass during the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Utah Utes are entering uncharted territory in 2026, as it will be the first time in over two decades that somebody other than Kyle Whittingham holds the title of head coach in Salt Lake City.

Several of the Utes' best players from last season followed Whitingham to Ann Arbor when he took the head coaching job at Michigan, but star quarterback Devon Dampier remained. Now entering his senior campaign, Dampier has been named to numerous preseason watchlists after putting up over 3,300 total yards and 34 total touchdowns in 2025.

No. 24 Louisville Cardinals

The final preseason Top 25 team without a preseason AP All-American is the Louisville Cardinals, who will be looking to build upon their nine-win 2025 campaign.

The best player for the Cards is undoubtedly star running back Isaac Brown, who led the entire nation last year in yards per attempt with 8.8. Now entering his junior season with Louisville, Brown figures to be one of the most electric playmakers in all of college football once again in 2026.

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