The 20 greatest football players in Texas Longhorns history

Stafford is usually thought to be this system’s first true star. Not solely was Stafford thought of one among school soccer’s finest halfbacks on the time, however he was additionally recognized for his toughness and stellar blocking expertise. Some historians of Longhorns soccer cite Stafford because the hardest participant in this system’s historical past. Stafford was a three-time All-Southwest Convention choice and a member of the School Soccer Corridor of Fame.

Also called the “Massive Boy,” Bechtol started his collegiate profession at Texas Tech however ended up in Austin. He is the primary soccer participant within the historical past of the Southwest Convention to be named a three-time All-American, together with by The Related Press in 1944. At 6-foot-2 and a little bit greater than 200 kilos, Bechtol performed on either side of the ball for the Longhorns. Nevertheless, it was on offense the place he really shined. In 1946, Bechtol tied a then-school report with seven receiving touchdowns. He’s additionally a member of the School Soccer Corridor of Fame.

Layne is one among six gamers within the historical past of Texas Longhorns soccer to have his jersey quantity retired. Whereas at Texas, Layne was a four-time All-Southwest Convention choice and even did a stint within the Service provider Marine. When Layne’s school profession had ended, he was Texas’ chief in completions (210), passing yards (3,145), touchdowns (25), and begins (34). Layne’s 40 factors totaled throughout the Cotton Bowl on the finish of the 1945 season remains to be a report throughout the storied historical past of the bowl recreation. On the skilled degree, Layne guided the Detroit Lions to a few NFL championships (earlier than the Tremendous Bowl period) and was a six-time Professional Bowler.

Relating to unheralded school operating backs, Saxton must be within the dialog. Throughout his three lively seasons for the Longhorns, Saxton rushed for 1,571 yards and was a finalist for the 1961 Heisman Trophy. Not dangerous for a man who entered Texas as a quarterback however was satisfied by legendary coach Darrell Royal to maneuver to halfback. Saxton is one other Longhorn legend to be inducted into the School Soccer Corridor of Fame.

An integral a part of Texas’ 1963 nationwide championship squad, Nobis averaged virtually 20 tackles per contest throughout his profession. A consensus All-American in 1965, Nobis additionally performed offensive guard and was recognized for his prowess as a blocker. He collected loads of {hardware} whereas at Texas, profitable the Outland Trophy as school soccer’s finest inside lineman and the Maxwell Award as the sport’s high all-around performer. A member of the School Soccer Corridor of Fame, Nobis’ No. 60 was retired by the college.

To today, Gilbert’s statistical legacy stays outstanding throughout the Longhorns program. Gilbert ranks fifth in class historical past with 3,231 profession dashing yards. He was additionally the primary participant in NCAA historical past to report three consecutive 1,000-yard dashing seasons. In 30 profession video games, Gilbert scored 28 touchdowns and averaged 5.4 yards per rush. The All-American was additionally a standout kickoff returner, averaging greater than 22 yards per return. Gilbert is a member of the School Soccer Corridor of Fame.

A School Soccer Corridor of Famer, Sisemore was a two-time unanimous All-American (1971, ’72) for the Longhorns. He was additionally fairly versatile, starring at each guard and deal with whereas at Texas. Throughout Sisemore’s time in Austin, he was an enormous purpose the Longhorns received three straight Southwest Convention champions. Following his Texas profession, Sisemore earned two journeys to the Professional Bowl as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, with whom he performed from 1973-’84, and is a member of their Corridor of Fame.

In 1973, Leaks grew to become the primary Black All-American to play soccer at Texas. That is when Leaks ran for 1,415 yards with 14 touchdowns. In November of that season, Leaks ran for 342 yards at SMU, rating second in class historical past. He additionally completed third within the Heisman Trophy voting that season. For his profession, throughout which he was a two-time All-Southwest Convention choice, Leaks ran for two,923 yards (seventh in Longhorns historical past) and 26 touchdowns.

Campbell is among the finest to ever carry the soccer on the school or skilled degree. In 1977, the bruising and highly effective Campbell grew to become the primary Longhorn to win the Heisman Trophy whereas compiling 1,744 dashing yards and 18 touchdowns. Campbell ranks third in program historical past for his Texas profession with 4,443 yards, and his 40 touchdowns are the third-most by a Longhorn. A two-time All-American (1975, ’77), Campbell was additionally the primary winner of the Davey O’Brien Trophy, awarded to the perfect total participant within the Southwest Convention.

Erxleben’s collective work is second to none within the annals of Texas particular groups. Now, we’re speaking about Erxleben, the soccer participant — not the shady businessman he grew to become after retirement. At Texas, Erxleben grew to become the one punter in NCAA historical past to be named a three-time first-team All-American. His 67-yard area aim towards Rice in 1977 remains to be the longest in school soccer historical past — with a tee. Erxleben nonetheless holds the Longhorns report for many made area objectives of at the very least 50 yards (11). He was drafted within the first spherical of the 1979 NFL Draft (eleventh total) by the New Orleans Saints. On the time, it was the second-highest number of a kicker within the historical past of the draft.

Following within the footsteps of standout Longhorn defensive linemen Steve McMichael and Invoice Acker, Sims was one of many nation’s premier defenders throughout the early Eighties. As a junior, Sims recorded greater than 130 tackles. In 1981, Sims posted 23 tackles for loss, rating third in class historical past. Sims’ 50 profession tackles for loss are tied for ninth-most, and his 29 sacks share fourth place all-time at Texas, the place he was named UPI Lineman of the 12 months and received the Lombardi Award as a senior. Sims is a member of the School Soccer Corridor of Fame.

The satisfaction of Lubbock, Texas, Grey packed a punch as the most effective defensive backs in school soccer throughout the early Eighties. Referred to as each a ball hawk — his 16 profession interceptions rank third in class historical past — and a tough hitter (almost 300 tackles as a Longhorn), Grey was twice named a consensus All-American whereas enjoying at Texas for coach Fred Akers. Following an NFL profession that featured 4 Professional Bowl nods, Grey stays one of many high defensive coaches within the league. 

Eccentric and free-spirited, Ricky Williams is among the particular characters in school soccer historical past. He additionally occurred to be one of many recreation’s greats. He’s Texas’ all-time main rusher with 6,279 yards, 72 touchdowns, and 136.5 profession common yards per season. As a senior in 1998, Williams grew to become the second Texas participant to win the Heisman Trophy when he set faculty data with 2,124 dashing yards, 27 touchdowns, and a whopping 193.1 yards per recreation. Along with all that dominance, Williams additionally owns faculty data for many 100-yard video games (28) and single-game dashing yardage with 350 vs. Iowa State in 1998.

Whereas operating backs and quarterbacks have a tendency to attract notoriety inside Texas soccer lore, the college has produced some star-studded receivers. Williams, who prepped on the famed Permian Excessive College in Odessa, is among the many finest. He is the college’s all-time chief with 3,866 receiving yards and 36 profession touchdowns. Williams’ 241 profession receptions are the second-most in class historical past. A two-time first-team All-Massive 12 choice, Williams was additionally the league’s offensive freshman of the 12 months in 2000.

Solely Ricky Williams has extra profession dashing yards at Texas than Benson. He is the one Longhorn apart from Williams to achieve greater than 5,000 yards (5,540) on the bottom. As well as, the late Benson, the Massive 12 Offensive Freshman of the 12 months in 2001, is the college’s all-time report holder with 1,112 rush makes an attempt and second with 64 touchdowns. His 1,834 dashing yards and 19 touchdowns from 2004 every rank fourth in class historical past and have been an enormous purpose Benson received the Doak Walker Award because the nation’s high operating again. 

Earlier than Johnson grew to become one of many NFL’s finest linebackers this century, he laid the inspiration for stated stardom with the Longhorns. Johnson ranks third in class historical past with 458 profession tackles and is Texas’ all-time chief with 65 tackles for loss. He additionally recorded 10.5 sacks throughout his Longhorns tenure. A two-time consensus All-American (2003, ’04), Johnson received the Butkus Awards, Nagurski and Jack Lambert Trophies for his stellar play at linebacker.

The person that helped lead the Longhorns to their most up-to-date nationwide championship to conclude the 2005 marketing campaign. Younger simply is perhaps the perfect total athlete within the historical past of Texas soccer. Along with rating seventh all-time at Texas with 6,040 passing yards, Younger additionally sits among the many faculty’s high 10 in dashing yards (3,127) and dashing touchdowns (37). His 30 profession victories are the second most by any Longhorns quarterback, and his 44 passing touchdowns rank sixth. Whereas Younger didn’t win the Heisman in 2005, he introduced residence the Maxwell, Manning, and Davey O’Brien Awards.

Orakpo was named Massive 12 Defensive Freshman of the 12 months as a freshman. When his senior season concluded in 2008, Orakpo introduced residence the Nagurski Trophy, the Hendricks Trophy, and the Lombardi Award. A menacing presence, Orakpo is among the most cross rushers in Longhorns’ historical past. He posted 22 sacks and 38 tackles for loss throughout his profession. Orakpo additionally recorded greater than 130 tackles, compelled six fumbles, and was credited with greater than 60 quarterback pressures.

By way of statistical dominance, McCoy is essentially the most profitable quarterback in Texas Longhorns’ historical past. McCoy is this system’s all-time chief in passing yards (11,253), completions (1,157), touchdowns (112), and 200-yard passing video games (38), amongst different profession, season, and single-game data. A two-time first-team All-American (2008, ’09), he was the Massive 12 Offensive Participant of the 12 months in 2009, when he additionally received the Maxwell Award, Davey O’Brien Award, and Manning Award. The Longhorns went 45-8 throughout video games performed by McCoy, whose No. 12 was retired by the college.

Shipley acquired higher in every of his 4 seasons at Texas. As a freshman in 2006, Shipley recorded 16 catches. By the point he was a senior, that quantity grew to 116. And even whereas his collegiate profession ended greater than 10 years in the past, Shipley remains to be Texas’ all-time chief in receptions (248) and ranks second in receiving yards (3,191) and touchdowns (33). A member of the Longhorns’ 2009 nationwide championship squad, he was a consensus All-American that season when he recorded 1,485 of these yards and a single-season program-record 13 touchdowns.