UT’s Viral ‘Big Red’ Fan Preston Powe Lands His First TV Role

Preston Powe became a familiar face to University of Texas football fans long before landing a television role. The 20-year-old UT Austin student, known across Longhorn Nation as “Big Red,” is now taking that attention to the screen.

Powe will appear alongside Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson in the upcoming Apple TV series “Brothers.”

The show is scheduled to premiere Wednesday, September 23. For Powe, the role marks his first professional acting job and an unexpected step toward his goal of building a career in acting.

From UT Games to TV

Instagram | @the_carrot_kid | Famous among UT football fans as “Big Red,” 20-year-old student Preston Powe is now heading to the screen.

Powe is a junior studying acting in the College of Fine Arts at UT Austin. He began attending Texas football games during his freshman year and soon became a regular presence in the student section.

His first viral moment came in 2024, when cameras caught him singing ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” during a Jumbotron appearance. The moment spread online and introduced more viewers to the energetic student.

His popularity grew even more the following year. During a Sam Houston game, Powe went viral after ripping off his shirt while lip-syncing to “Mo Bamba.” The stunt quickly became his signature celebration.

Soon after, he joined a group of dedicated Longhorn fans who claim spots near the front of the student section. The group often arrives at least three hours before kickoff. For major games, including the Red River Rivalry, Texas A&M and Ohio State matchups, they may arrive the night before.

A Surprising Audition

Powe’s growing presence around Texas football eventually connected him with an agent. The agent encouraged him to audition for a “Crazy College Kid” role in “Brothers” and believed his personality fit the part.

The casting news came as a shock to Powe.

“I was just like gagged,” Powe told MySA. “And when she tells me that I got it, it was like such a surreal moment for me.”

The opportunity carried special meaning because the production featured two major Texas-connected stars. Powe later reflected on how different the experience was from anything he had imagined during high school.

“I always say to myself, like when I was in high school, like if I could tell like my high school [self] Preston, ‘yo, in two years you’ll have acted with Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson,’” Powe said. “I think it would send him into shock.”

Working With McConaughey

Instagram | the_carrot_kid | Powe’s transition from famous superfan to TV cast member highlights his rising acting career at UT Austin.

“Brothers” was first announced in 2023. The series stars McConaughey and Harrelson as fictionalized versions of themselves and centers on a rumor that the two actors are unknowingly half brothers.

Powe filmed his scenes in December 2025. He described the experience of working with the pair as a dream come true. McConaughey also recognized Powe from his appearances at Texas football games and offered him acting advice.

“That whole day was just like a fever dream, honestly,” Powe said. “But it was like cool to get to work with them. It was a very fun set, fun environment and then all the other actors that I was in the scene with, they were super cool.”

A New Acting Chapter

The television appearance gives Powe an early professional credit while he continues studying acting at UT Austin. His rise from a recognizable football fan to a cast member happened through a mix of his game-day personality, viral moments and acting ambitions.

Powe also wants his on-screen work to create the same positive reaction that made his football appearances popular.

“I hope that people see this and they laugh and they find joy in it,” Powe said. “I hope to keep getting opportunities to act and to bring people joy. That’s why I try to do this, and so you know any opportunities that I’m going to get to do that, I’m going to take very gratefully.”

Preston Powe’s first television role adds a new chapter to the story of UT’s “Big Red.” From singing on a Jumbotron to becoming known for his “Mo Bamba” celebration, his football-game appearances helped put him in front of a wider audience.

Now, his acting studies and growing visibility have led to a role in “Brothers,” where he shares the screen with McConaughey and Harrelson.