Longhorn Legend Colt McCoy To Deliver 2026 UT Commencement Address

Former University of Texas quarterback, NFL veteran, and real estate and Texas higher education leader Colt McCoy will deliver the keynote address at The University of Texas at Austin's 143rd Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 9, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

McCoy is founding and managing partner at commercial real estate firm HPI in Fort Worth, where he lives with his family. Widely recognized for his leadership on and off the field, McCoy was appointed this year by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, where he contributes to statewide efforts to support student success in public higher education.

"Colt has applied the same leadership we saw on the field to everything he's done since," said UT President Jim Davis. "He's an example to all Longhorns that no matter what they go on to do, the leadership skills they develop here will carry them far. We can't wait to welcome Colt back to the Forty Acres to share his wisdom with our graduates."

A redshirt quarterback on the 2005 National Championship team, McCoy also was a two-time finalist for the Heisman Trophy. In 2009, he won the Davey O'Brien Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and Manning Award. In recognition of his impact on Texas Athletics, UT retired McCoy's No. 12 jersey, one of the program's highest honors. He is a member of the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor, Texas Sports Hall of Fame and Texas High School Football Hall of Fame.

Raised in Tuscola, Texas, (population less than 1,000) and coached by his father, Brad, McCoy earned a bachelor's degree with a major in sport management from the College of Education in 2009 and was the starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns from 2006 to 2009. He set an NCAA record for career wins as a starting quarterback with 45, was a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete and an American Football Coaches Association Good Works team member as a senior for his work in the classroom and community. A two-time Walter Camp Football Foundation National Player of the Year, he led Texas to a Big 12 conference championship and the BCS National Championship Game as a senior in 2009.

After his time at UT, McCoy was selected in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft and played professionally for 13 seasons. Off the field, he prioritized learning about real estate, energy, private equity and leadership styles, which prepared him to open HPI's Fort Worth office in 2025. Throughout his playing and business career, McCoy has been praised by peers for his high character, mental toughness, preparation and willingness to mentor others.

"The University of Texas shaped my life in so many ways, teaching me about leadership and the responsibility that comes with representing something bigger than yourself," McCoy said. "As many times as I ran onto the field at DKR in my football career, addressing our newest graduates with the opportunity to inspire what they do next is truly one of my greatest honors."

This year's commencement ceremony will recognize more than 10,000 graduates from 18 degree-granting colleges and schools. In addition to McCoy's remarks, the ceremony will feature student performances, fireworks and a drone show.

About The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas at Austin is one of the highest-impact universities in the world. As the top public university in Texas, UT is an influential catalyst for scientific, economic and societal progress. Founded in 1883, the University has a main campus that spans 431 acres and a community of almost 55,000 students, 4,800 faculty members and 15,000 staff members, with more than 600,000 alumni.

The University is a leader in energy, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship and national security, and its students, faculty and alumni have invented groundbreaking solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges. In total, UT offers more than 150 undergraduate degree programs and 230 graduate programs across 18 colleges and schools in the sciences, arts, humanities and professions.