Texas Linebacker Rasheem Biles Named Trophy Quarterfinalist
The senior standout earned the honor for his defensive impact during his first five starts for the Longhorns.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Football
Live Poll
Do you believe college football awards effectively honor player impact beyond the field?
Texas Longhorns senior linebacker Rasheem Biles has been named a quarterfinalist for the Lott Impact Trophy. The selection honors the transfer athlete for his performance on the field as a standout defender for the team.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the defensive success of the Longhorns this season as Biles has become a central figure on the roster since joining the program in spring 2026. The award uniquely weights both on-field play and off-field attributes like academic performance and community involvement.
The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation selected 16 players as Lott Impact Trophy quarterfinalists from across the country. Rasheem Biles currently leads the SEC in total interceptions with two, while also recording 42 total tackles in his five starts for Texas.
The players
Rasheem Biles
A senior linebacker for the Texas Longhorns who transferred to the program from Pitt.
Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation
The organization that manages and presents the annual Lott Impact Trophy.
The details
Biles arrived at Texas after transferring from Pitt in spring 2026 and has quickly established himself as a primary playmaker. His defensive contributions include 21 solo tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss over his first five games. The Lott Impact Trophy is presented annually to the defensive player who best demonstrates Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
Timeline
September 5, 2026: Biles makes his debut for Texas against Texas State.
September 7, 2026: Biles is named SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week.
October 14, 2026: Biles is added to the Lombardi Award midseason watch list.
October 15, 2026: The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation names Biles a Lott Impact Trophy quarterfinalist.
The Texas Context
This recognition comes shortly after Biles was named to the Lombardi Award midseason watch list on October 14. It follows a strong trend of individual defensive honors for the Longhorns throughout the 2026 season.
Fans tracking defensive performance can look for Biles during the remainder of the season as he continues to compete for the Lott Impact Trophy. His success is part of a broader defensive unit allowing an average of 16 points per game.
The takeaway
The Lott Impact Trophy represents one of the most prestigious individual defensive honors in college football. Supporters should watch for upcoming announcements from the foundation to see if Biles advances to the semifinalist round.
Further reading
For more on the team's defensive season, visit our Football coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by On3.
Live Poll
Do you believe college football awards effectively honor player impact beyond the field?
