College Football: The All-Time 50 Greatest Texas Longhorns

The rich tradition of the University of Texas football program is one that can be matched by only a handful across the country.

The Longhorns are currently ranked second in all-time wins (and second highest win-percentage) in college football history.

They have claimed four national championships, 32 conference championships, 120 All-American selections, two Heisman trophy winners, 11 College Football Hall of Fame inductees, and countless other national awards over the course of their 117-year history.

While a Top 100 list might have been more deserving of a program so steeped in greatness, I set out to recognize the top 50 that have donned the burnt orange for the Longhorns.

No top 50 list is created equal and I am sure I have left a few deserving Longhorns off this list. And there is little doubt that I have ranked a few higher than they should have been.

But hey, it's the off-season, and Texas Longhorn football fans could always use another topic to debate into the ground until summer workouts begin.

#50 Russell Erxleben (1975-1978) Punter

In most cases, it would be hard to justify putting a punter on an all-time list for a program with as rich of a tradition as Texas. But Russell Erxleben is not your everyday punter.

As the only three-time All-American punter in NCAA history, Erxleben also holds the record for longest field goal ever made, a 67-yarder he booted in a 1977 game against Rice.

UT head coach Fred Akers told The Daily Texan that, "It was like a gunshot. We couldn't believe a ball was going that far. It had another eight yards on it."

Erxleben was taken with the highest pick ever for a kicker, 11th overall, by the New Orleans Saints. He will always be remembered for his success in college, though, as he never lived up to the hype of such a high draft pick.

*Image courtesy of Getty Images

#49 David Thomas (2002-2005) Tight End

David Thomas might have been the most important offensive player not named Vince Young for Texas in the national championship run of 2005.

Thomas led the team in catches that season, and tied for the lead in touchdown receptions. He saved his best performance for the last game of his college career.

In the 2006 Rose Bowl, Thomas caught 10 passes for 88 yards, many on crucial third-down conversions that kept drives alive for UT comeback victory.

Never flashy, Thomas was as reliable as they come in the passing game during his time in Austin. The big West Texas kid left UT as the school record holder for receptions, yards, and touchdowns by a tight end.

Thomas was a candidate for the John Mackey Award in 2005, and was twice named to the All-Academic Big 12 team (2004 and 2005).

Following the 2005 season, he was drafted in the third round by the New England Patriots. Four years later, he was traded to New Orleans, where he helped the Saints win the Super Bowl.

#48 Cory Redding (1999-2002) Defensive End

Coming out of high school, Cory Redding was one of the most heralded blue-chippers from Mack Brown's first great recruiting class at UT. Redding was named the USA Today's Defensive Player of the Year from 1999.

While at Texas, Redding was twice named to the All-American team All-Big 12 first team (both in '01 and '02). The speedy, edge rusher made a living in opponent's backfields, finishing in the top three in tackles-for-loss and top 10 for sacks over the duration of his career.

Redding was recognized as a finalist for both the Hendricks and Lombardi award during his senior season.

#47 Bob McKay (1968-1969) Offensive Tackle

Bob McKay was another one of the great Texas offensive linemen from the late 1960's. UT had a record of 20-1-1 with McKay in the starting lineup, and won back-to-back SWC crowns.

McKay capped his career at Texas by being named as a consensus All-American in 1969, and led the 'Horns to a national championship that same season.

Following his senior season, McKay appeared in the 1970 Hula Bowl.

The Cleveland Browns drafted the offensive tackle with their first pick in the 1970 draft. McKay played nine seasons in the pros with the Browns and New England Patriots. He was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1990.

*Image courtesy of Texas Sports

#46 Tony Brackens (1993-1995) Defensive End

Blessed with a mean streak and exceptional speed for a big man, Tony Brackens was a menace to SWC offensive lines in the mid-1990s.

He earned All-SWC honors all three years at Texas, and was a consensus All-American in 1995.

Brackens played a huge role for the 1995 Longhorns, the program's best team during the 1990s.

Texas enjoyed a 10-1 season on the way to winning the conference title during the SWC's last year of existence, which led to a Sugar Bowl berth.

Brackens finished his career at Texas in the top ten for sacks (24) and tackles for loss (49).

Tony was drafted in the second round of the 1996 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, where the 2000 Pro Bowler spent his entire eight seasons.

Brackens was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 2006.

#45 Johnny Lam Jones (1976-1979) Running Back/Flanker

Johnny Lam Jones was known for his world-class speed on the football field, scoring on eight different touchdowns of 45 yards or longer.

Jones also holds the record for longest kick return for a touchdown, a 100-yard effort against SMU in 1978.

Jones was the team MVP in 1978, and earned All-American in his junior and senior seasons. Following his career at UT, Jones was a first-round pick of the New York Jets in 1980 and played there for seven seasons.

His greatest athletic accomplishment, though came in 1976 where he was a member of the U.S. Olympic track team.

Jones was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1994.

*Image courtesy of LostLetterman.com

#44 Casey Hampton (1996-2000) Defensive Tackle

In 2000, Casey Hampton shared his football credo with The Daily Texan.

"The way I see it, you never know when your last play is going to be, so you should go hard all the time. There's no reason to take a play off.."

And that is exactly how the relentless defender played during his time on the 40 acres.

Hampton became the first defensive lineman for the 'Horns to lead his team in tackles in back-to-back seasons (1999-2000).

As a senior, Casey was selected as a consensus All-American and the Big 12's Defensive Player of the Year. He finished his career ranked fourth all-time with 54 tackles for loss.

The Pittsburgh Steelers spent their first-round pick on Hampton in 2001, where he has spent his entire career. He's been named to four Pro Bowl teams, and won two Super Bowls during his time in Pittsburgh.

*Image courtesy of Texas Sports

#43 James Saxton (1959-1961) Back

James Saxton did it all. Once labeled as the "quickest player in America" by Coach Darrell Royal, Saxton led the Longhorns on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.

In a stat that was made for a trivia game, Saxton led the Longhorns in rushing, receiving and all-purpose yardage, as well as interceptions in 1960.

He followed up his junior campaign with a first-team All-American selection in 1961. Saxton was named the Texas Writers Association Amateur Athlete of the Year following his senior season.

He led the SWC with 846 yards on only 107 carries, including eight carries of 40 yards or more. His yards-per-carry average of 7.9 was best ever for an SWC back.

Saxton set the single-game rushing mark of 173 yards in a game against SMU, and then followed that performance with 171 yards the very next week against Baylor.

Saxton added to his versatility by setting the school record for longest punt on a 73-yard quick kick during his senior season. He finished as the all-time third leading rusher for the 'Horns.

Saxton was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1973 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996.

*Image courtesy of Texas Sports

#42 Malcolm Kutner (1939-1941) End

In his senior season, Malcolm Kutner was one of two Longhorns from the great 1941 team that was recognized as an All-American.

Kutner was a main cog in D.X. Bible's innovative offense, one that drew praise as perhaps the best in the nation.

Kutner was a three-year letterman in football, and became the first Texas player to be selected to the Chicago Tribune's Collegiate All-Star Game.

After serving in World War II, Kutner played five seasons with the Chicago Cardinals. He earned the Rookie of the Year award, two All-Pro selections, and MVP honors during his time in the pros.

Also starring in basketball and track, Kutner was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1965. He was later voted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1974.

*Image courtesy of Texas Sports

#41 Quan Cosby (2005-2008) Wide Receiver

While in high school, Quan Cosby was a wildly successful multi-sport athlete, winning state titles in baseball and football.

Cosby gained more awards as a football player (All-State and the USA Today second-team), but coming out of high school, he put his football career on hold after the Anaheim Angels used a sixth-round draft pick on him.

But after four years of milling around the Angels organization, Cosby returned to the gridiron to play for the Longhorns.

Cosby didn't put up remarkable numbers in his freshman season, but he did catch two balls for 16 yards in UT's national championship victory over USC.

As a sophomore, he was the 'Horns second leading receiver, catching 45 passes for 525 yards.

He was again the Longhorn's second best receiver in 2007 (60 catches, 680 yards, five touchdowns). But Pops became as equally important on special teams, as he totaled just over 1,000 yards on kick returns.

Cosby established himself as one of the nation's elite receivers during his senior season. He led Texas with 92 receptions for 1123 yards, and finished behind Jordan Shipley in touchdowns with 10.

Against top-ranked Oklahoma, Cosby caught 9 balls for 122 yards. He ended his career at UT with 14 receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner with 18 seconds left in a comeback victory over Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl.

After his collegiate career, Cosby signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as a free agent.

#40 Major Applewhite (1998-2001) Quarterback

If this was a list of the Top 50 Beloved Longhorns of All-Time, Major Applewhite would surely make a strong case for a spot in the top five.

Always the underdog, Applewhite was a fan-favorite from the instant he took over the starting quarterback spot in the second game of his freshman year.

In that season, Applewhite led the 'Horns to an upset over the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Lincoln, breaking a 47-game home winning streak. Applewhite earned Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors after that season.

In 1999, Applewhite won the starting job over heralded freshman Chris Simms. Simms was bigger and stronger, but Applewhite was able to stave him off and keep his starting job...at least for that year. Applewhite went on to win Big 12 Co-Offensive Player of the Year in '99.

But for all his early accolades, Applewhite couldn't hold on to the starting job after his sophomore season. Simms was named a co-starter heading into the 2000, and thus started the great quarterback controversy that became the story of Applewhite's career.

Applewhite slowly began losing snaps to Simms in 2000 before completely losing the starting job his senior year. In the 2001 Big 12 Championship game, with a national championship berth on the line, Simms gave up four early turnovers before giving way to the fiery Applewhite.

On his first passing play, Major threw an 80-yard touchdown strike and taunted the Colorado bench as he ran down the field.

Texas ended up falling short by two points that game, but Applewhite forever cemented his place in the hearts of Longhorn fans for his gritty performance.

*Image courtesy of Sports Illustrated

#39 Johnny Treadwell (1960-1962) Linebacker/Guard

Johnny Treadwell was another one of Coach Darrell Royal's great two-way players from the early 1960's. Garnering All-American honors as a guard and linebacker, the MVP of the Longhorns led the 1962 team to an SWC title.

After his senior season, the Houston Post named Treadwell as the SWC Defensive Player of the Year. The two-way star played in the 1963 Hula Bowl following his career at Texas.

Treadwell was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1985, and was named to the Austin American Statesman's All-Time University of Texas Football team in 2005.

*Image courtesy of Texas Sports

#38 Justin Blalock (2003-2006) Offensive Tackle

Justin Blalock, a four-year starter on the offensive line, became the first Longhorn to start in 50 consecutive games.

As one of the best linemen that has suited up for Texas in the last decade, the Plano, Texas native played a huge role in one of the most successful eras of UT football.

Blalock earned first-team Freshman All-American honors for his play in 2003. As a sophomore, the All-Big 12 first-teamer helped lead the Texas second ranked rushing attack on the way to the program's first Rose Bowl appearance, a 38-37 win over Michigan.

The 2005 version of the Longhorns finished ranked second in rushing, again, en route to a national championship behind the strong play of Blalock and the rest of a great offensive line.

Blalock finished his career at Texas in 2006 as a Lombardi Award finalist and with a unanimous All-American selection. He was drafted in the second round by the Atlanta Falcons, and has started in the 41 games he has played since coming into the league.

*Image courtesy of Steve Moakley/University of Texas

#37 Raymond Clayborn (1973-1976) Back

Raymond Clayborn, who was also a track star at UT, was tabbed as an All-American in his senior year, as well as All-SWC in 1975 and 1976.

The speedster played defensive back, running back, and returned kicks for the Longhorns. He was most known for his explosive, big-play ability on special teams and his long touchdown runs.

Clayborn helped Texas win SWC titles in 1973 and 1975, and was named Team MVP in '76.

Clayborn was invited to play in the East-West Shrine Game, and the Hula Bowl after his senior season, where he earned MVP honors in Hawaii.

Raymond was named to the 1970's SWC All-Decade team, and to the All-Time University of Texas Football Team by the Austin American Statesman.

The three-time Pro Bowler played 13 seasons in the NFL for the New England Patriots (1977-1989) and Cleveland Browns (1990-1991).

Clayborn was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1991.

*Image courtesy of Texas Sports

#36 Dan Neil (1993-1996) Center/Guard

Dan Neil was a four-year starter at the University of Texas, playing both guard and center during that time. Neil started 49 straight games at UT and earned All-American honors in 1995 and 1996.

He was an integral part of the last SWC title squad and the inaugural Big 12 championship team during his final two seasons.

In his senior season, he was a finalist for the Outland Trophy and a semi-finalist for the Lombardi Trophy. He was also named Team MVP in 1996, only the second offensive lineman to win the honor since 1958.

Neil was a third round selection by the Denver Broncos after his collegiate career. He played in Denver for eight seasons, and was a starter for the back-to-back Super Bowl champions in '98 and '99.

Neil was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 2008.

*Image courtesy of Texas Sports

#35 Aaron Ross (2003-2006) Cornerback

It took 20 years for a defensive back from UT to win the school's first Jim Thorpe Award. But it didn't take long for a Longhorn to win the second.

In 2006, the year after Michael Huff won the prestigious award, Aaron Ross brought that second trophy home to Austin.

A big physical receiver with track-star speed, Ross was a first-team All-American during his senior year.

Ross is also one of the best punt returners that Texas has ever had. He currently ranks fifth for punt returns and total yardage, and is tied for first with three punt returns touchdowns.

The New York Giants selected Ross with their first round draft pick in the 2007 NFL draft.

The Giants won the Super Bowl during Ross's rookie campaign, a game in which he was one of their starting cornerbacks.

As one-half of the fastest Longhorn couple in history, Ross married former UT sprinter and Olympic champion Sanya Richards this past winter.

#34 Hub Bechtol (1944-1946) End

Hub Bechtol was the first consensus All-American (1945, 1946) from the University of Texas and one of only two Longhorns in history to earn All-American status three times.

One of the best receivers of his time, Bechtol was the lead receiver for UT's third ranked passing attack in 1945.

His seven touchdowns that season were a Longhorn record at the time, with his best game coming in the 1946 Cotton Bowl Classic against Missouri, a game in which he caught nine passes for 138 yards.

Bechtol ended up playing for the Baltimore Colts for three seasons. He was elected to the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1963, and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1991.

*Image courtesy of MackBrown-TexasFootball.com

#33 Noble Doss (1939-1941) Back

Noble Doss is another great two-way player from back in the olden days. Doss set the record for interceptions in a season (seven, surpassed by Earl Thomas in 2009) and in a career (17, tied by Nathan Vasher) during his time at UT. Both records stood for 60 years.

The ball-hawking DB led the Longhorns in interceptions for three straight seasons, the only time in UT's history for that to be accomplished.

Although he is in the UT record books for his defensive prowess, Doss is most famously known for his role in the 1940 upset of the undefeated Texas A&M Aggies.

"The Catch," as the play has come to be called, was a 32-yard over-the-shoulder, eyes-closed catch that setup the lone touchdown in the game. Doss was described as an athletic back that helped fuel UT's single wing formation that was so successful back in the early 1940s.

Doss played two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, and was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1980.

*Image courtesy of Texas Sports

#32 James Street (1968-1969) Quarterback

James Street might not have had the most impressive stats during his time as a Texas quarterback. But in 20 games as a starter, Street never suffered a defeat.

Street took over in the third game of the 1968 season and led the 'Horns to the SWC title in his junior year.

He was named Co-Captain prior to the start of the 1969 season, and earned All-SWC honors on his way to leading the Longhorns to another SWC title, and a national championship.

The defining moment of the 1969 season came in a late season game against the Arkansas Razorbacks.

In what has been tabbed the Game of the Century, Street brought Texas back from a 14-0 deficit to beat the nation's second ranked team, 15-14.

Street was named team MVP for his efforts that season, along with earning the Houston Post's Offensive SWC MVP honors.

He also doubled as an All-American pitcher for UT's baseball team, throwing two no-hitters and winning three SWC titles during his time on campus.

Street was named to the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1982.

*Image courtesy of Texas Sports Information

#31Tony Degrate (1982-1984) Defensive Tackle

One of the great pass-rushers in Texas history, Tony Degrate currently holds the third spot among the all-time sack leaders (31) from the Longhorn program. The two-time All-SWC tackle also holds the UT record for solo tackles in a season with 123.

Degrate was a consensus All-American selection in 1984, the same season in which he took home the Lombardi Award. Degrate led the 'Horns with 12 sacks and 38 quarterback pressures. The Houston Post also named Degrate as the SWC defensive MVP in '84.

Degrate was selected in the fifth round of the NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, and spent a season with the Green Bay Packers. Tony was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 2005

*Image courtesy of Texas Sports

#30 Quentin Jammer (1997-2001) Defensive Back

Quentin Jammer was a big, physical defensive back who could put the clamps on an opponent's top receiver, or step up with punishing hits in run support.

Jammer was tabbed as a Playboy All-American prior to the 2001 season. The senior cornerback became the Longhorn's first Jim Thorpe Award finalist that season, and was a selected as a consensus All-American.

With seven interceptions in '01, Jammer was the best pass defender on UT's top-ranked defense.

Jammer left UT as the record holder in pass breakups (57). In 28 starts at cornerback, he allowed only one passing touchdown against him.

Quentin went on to be selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers. He's been a starter at cornerback for the Chargers since his second season.

*Image courtesy of Texas Sports

#29 Earl Thomas (2008-2009) Safety

In his abbreviated collegiate career at Texas, Earl Thomas left as one of the greatest defensive backs to ever wear the Burnt Orange.

Thomas started all 12 games in 2008 as was named a first-team Freshman All-American. ET had two interceptions and 17 pass break-ups in his first season, an all-time record for a Texas freshman.

Thomas was blessed with exceptional speed, and the mental part of his game really took off between his freshman and sophomore years.

The sophomore safety was named a Jim Thorpe Award finalist in 2009, and he set the single-season interception record at Texas with eight, including two that went for touchdowns.

Thomas was named a consensus All-American, led the nation in passes defended, and was arguably the best defender on a team that ranked first in interceptions and third in total defense.

#28 Nathan Vasher (2000-2003) Defensive Back

Nathan Vasher, UT's co-record holder for career interceptions, is another of the talented defensive backs in the long line of the Texas program.

As a starter during his sophomore year, the ball-hawking strong safety caught seven interceptions and earned All-American honors as a punt returner (554 yards, one touchdown).

Vasher moved to cornerback during the '02 and '03 seasons. He added 10 more interceptions to tie Noble Doss's all-time record over his final two seasons, including six in '03 to go along with the All-American's 26 passes-broken-up

The Chicago Bears selected Vasher in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft. His best season came in 2005, when he earned a Pro Bowl berth and All-Pro selection.

#27 Michael Huff (2002-2005) Defensive Back

As the first ever Jim Thorpe Award winner from the University of Texas, Michael Huff is one of the best defensive backs to ever come through the Longhorn program.

Huff started his career at Texas with a third-team Freshman All-American selection in 2002.

During his time in Austin, Huff set the record for most interceptions returned for a touchdown with four. He also holds the record for highest average yards per interception return with 23.1.

Huff was a consensus first-team All-American in UT's championship season, and played a crucial role in their upset win over USC.

Reggie Bush fumbled a first-half lateral, and Huff was the first to jump on the loose ball in what was a huge momentum swing.

Late in the game, Huff was also in the middle of stopping LenDale White's fourth-quarter attempt on 4th and 2, giving the ball back to Vince Young before he marched the Longhorns down the field to victory.

Huff was chosen by the Oakland Raiders with the seventh overall draft pick in 2006, where he has spent his entire NFL career.

#26 Harley Sewell (1950-1952) Guard

Harley Sewell was a two-way All-American guard for the Longhorns in the early 1950s.

The two-time All-SWC lineman earned Cotton Bowl defensive MVP honors in 1953, a game in which Texas held their opponent, Tennessee, to six first downs and -14 yards rushing.

After his career at Texas, Sewell was drafted by the Detroit Lions, 13th overall, where he was a four-time Pro Bowl selection.

Harley was eventually inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1975, and voted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.

*Image courtesy of Texas Sports

#25 Scott Appleton (1961-1963) Tackle

Scott Appleton is one of the most accomplished linemen in the history of the Texas program.

Appleton was UT's first Outland Trophy winner in 1963, anchoring a unit that was part of the program's first national championship. He was also selected as a consensus first-team All-American that year and finished fifth in the Heisman race.

After his collegiate career, Appleton was chosen in the first round of the NFL draft by the Dallas Cowboys in 1964. His NFL playing days spanned five seasons in stints with the Houston Oilers and San Diego Chargers.

Appleton was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1986.

*Image courtesy of Texas Sports

#24 Kenneth Sims (1978-1981) Defensive Tackle

A two-time consensus All-American, Kenneth Sims was named the UPI Lineman of the Year and became the first Longhorn to win the Lombardi Award in 1981. Sims also earned team MVP and All-SWC honors in '80 and '81.

Sims was the first overall pick of the New England Patriots in the 1982 NFL draft. He played nine seasons with the Pats, never quite living up to high expectations that were placed upon him.

Sims was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1997.

*Image courtesy of Texas Sports

#23 Steve Worster (1968-1970) Fullback

The Big Woo, as Longhorn fans liked to call him, was the highly recruited lead back in Coach Royal's unstoppable Wishbone offense of the late 1960s.

Steve Worster ran Texas to three SWC titles while he was on campus, and back-to-back national titles in 1969 and 1970 as part of a 30-game win streak.

He earned first-team All-SWC selections each of his three seasons in Austin, and first-team All-American status during his final two years.

The Texas Sports Writers Association chose Worster as their 1970 Amateur Athlete of the Year. After college, he was chosen by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round, but never played in the NFL.

Big Woo was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1992.

*Image courtesy of Sports Illustrated

#22 Roosevelt Leaks (1972-1974) Running Back

Another in the long list of great Texas running backs, Roosevelt Leaks became the first African-American at UT to earn All-Conference honors (a two-time selection) and All-American honors (1973).

His greatest season came as a junior in 1973. Leaks rushed for a then SWC record of 1,415 yards on his way to becoming the conference MVP. He finished third in the Heisman race that year, and led the 'Horns in all-purpose yardage.

Despite a serious knee injury during his senior season, Leaks led UT in all-purpose yardage for the second consecutive seasons.

Leaks was drafted in the fifth round in 1975 by the Baltimore Colts. He spent nine years in the league, playing for the Colts and Buffalo Bills.

Since that time, Leaks has been inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor (1985) and the College Football Hall of Fame (2005).

Today, Roosevelt holds an annual charity golf tournament in East Austin. Because of his efforts in the community, Leaks was named the first-ever recipient of the Living Legends Award presented by the Ministry of Challenge in 2003.

*Image courtesy of Texas Sports Photos

#21 Bill Atessis (1968-1970) Defensive End

Bill Atessis started at defensive end from the moment he stepped foot on campus in 1968, and according to Darrell Royal, he was a "super player that never played a bad game in three years."

During those three years, Atessis played a major role in the Longhorn's 30-game win streak that stretched over the majority of those three seasons.

A back-to-back defensive MVP for the Longhorns (named by the Dallas Morning News and Houston Post), the All-American (second-team in 1969, first in 1970) helped lead the Longhorns to consecutive national championships in '69 and '70.

The Longhorns won three SWC championships during his tenure, and played in three Cotton Bowl Classics (winning two).

After his days on the 40 acres, Atessis played in the 1971 Hula Bowl and was selected in the second round by the Baltimore Colts.

He was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 2001, and has been named to many all-time lists, including All-Time University of Texas team by the Austin American Statesman in 2005.

*Image courtesy of TexasSports.com

#20 Bud McFadin (1948-1950) Off. Guard/Def. Tackle

Bud McFadin earned All-SWC and All-American honors in 1949 and 1950. McFadin was one of the leaders of the 1950 Longhorn squad that finished ranked third in the nation. He was named MVP of the SWC and the 1951 Cotton Bowl during his senior season.

Following his last season at UT, he played in the college vs. NFL Champs all-star game, in which he was recognized as the MVP.

He was chosen in the first round in 1951 by the Los Angeles Rams. McFadin earned Pro Bowl honors five times during his 11 seasons in the pros.

After his playing days, he spent five years as the defensive line coach for the Houston Oilers.

McFadin was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1973 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983.

*Image courtesy of MackBrown-TexasFootball.com

#19 Bobby Wuensch (1968-1970) Offensive Tackle

Bobby Wuensch, a prospect out of Houston, helped anchor the Longhorn offensive line from 1968-1970. The 'Horns were 30-2-1 with Wuensch as a starter, including a 30-game win streak.

A co-captain of the 1970 national championship team, Wuensch was named All-SWC in 1969 and 1970, and a consensus All-American in 1970. Following his graduation, he played in the 1971 Hula Bowl and the Coaches All-America Game.

He was drafted by the Baltimore Colts, and was later named to the Cotton Bowl and SWC All-Decade Team of the 1970s.

Wuensch was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1990.

*Image courtesy of Texas Sports

#18 Roy Williams (2000-2003) Wide Receiver

Roy Williams came to Texas from a West Texas powerhouse (Odessa Permian) as part of a highly regarded triumvirate of receivers.

It turned out that Williams was the only one of the three that lived up to the hype, and he left Texas as one the most decorated receivers in Longhorn history.

The Legend's best statistical season came in 2002 with Chris Simms manning the quarterback position. That year, Williams caught 64 balls for 1,142 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Roy nearly left UT for the NFL after 2002, but he opted to come back for his senior season.

His 70 receptions in '03 were his highest while at UT, but his yardage and touchdown totals both dropped as Williams was asked to help out more in the running game with freshman quarterback Vince Young at the helm.

After his college career, the Detroit Lions drafted Williams with the seventh overall choice in the 2005 draft. In 2007, Williams became the first Pro Bowl receiver from the Lions since Herman Moore in 1998.

Williams still holds UT records in career touchdowns (36), yards (3,866) and 100-yard games, and sits at second in career receptions (241).

#17 Brian Orakpo (2004-2008) Defensive End

As one of the best defensive lineman in the Mack Brown era, Brian Orakpo started wreaking havoc on Big 12 defenses in his redshirt freshman season.

Orakpo played in all 13 games as part of the 2005 national championship defense and was named a First-Team Freshman All-American. The Sporting News also gave Orakpo Defensive Freshman of the Year honors.

Lowe's recognized Orakpo as one of 2006's Most Improved Defensive Players, registering 4.5 sacks as a second-stringer.

He was slowed by a knee injury his junior season and was never really 100 percent until UT's bowl game, when Orakpo earned Defensive MVP honors with six tackles and two sacks.

The relentless pass-rusher finally realized his potential as a senior, totaling 11 sacks and 40 tackles. Orakpo earned unanimous All-American honors and won the Hendricks, Lombardi, and Nagurski Awards.

The Washington Redskins drafted Orakpo with the 13th overall selection in the 2009 NFL draft. He recorded an impressive 11 quarterback sacks and was named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

*Image courtesy of MackBrown-TexasFootball

#16 Jordan Shipley (2004-2009) Wide Receiver

Before Jordan Shipley came along, it was Roy Williams who sat atop the mountain of modern-day Longhorn receivers.

Williams, known as The Legend, held many major UT receiving records, including most receptions (career and single game) and most touchdowns in a single season.

Shipley would shatter all of those marks, and earn his rightful place alongside Williams as one of UT's greats.

Shipley came to Texas holding the Texas high school all-time records for touchdowns, receptions, and yardage. But his first two years on campus were marred with injuries.

He missed the entire '04 and '05 seasons, and spent most of the '06 and'07 seasons working himself back into game shape.

It wasn't until the 2008 season that college football fans were able to see the immensely talented Shipley showcase his skills.

In his junior season, Shipley caught 89 balls for nearly 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns.

His 96-yard kick return for a touchdown against OU (the longest in the 103-year history) was the turning point in an upset win over the top-ranked Sooners.

Two weeks later, Shipley caught 15 balls for 168 yards against the sixth-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Shipley followed that up with perhaps the greatest season ever for a Longhorn receiver.

The consensus All-American and Biletnikoff finalist caught 116 passes for 1,400 yards and 13 touchdowns (all Texas records). Early in the season, he scored another crucial special teams touchdown on a punt return against a ranked Texas Tech.

Shipley hauled in 11 catches for 273 yards (another Texas record) against UCF later in the season. And he caught two touchdown passes in a losing effort against Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game.

#15 Chris Gilbert (1966-1968) Running Back

One of the most decorated runners from a historic stable of Texas running backs, Chris Gilbert became the first running back in college football history to gain 1,000 yards in each of his seasons of eligibility.

Gilbert also earned Team MVP honors every year that he was on campus.

Chris finished his career at Texas with a first-team All-American selection in 1968. Coach Darrell Royal installed the wishbone offense that season, and Gilbert flourished with a then-record 1,132 yards and 13 touchdowns.

He left Austin as the SWC's (and Longhorn's) all-time leading rusher (third in NCAA history). And his 96-yard run against TCU in 1967 still stands as the longest run in Longhorn history.

Gilbert was drafted by the New York Jets following his senior season, but he opted to start his own business rather than playing in the pros.

The Football Writers Association of America named Gilbert to the All-Southwest team for the 1919-1969 era. He was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1978, and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

*Image courtesy of MackBrown-TexasFootball.com

#14 KiKi DeAyala (1979-1982) Defensive End

Holding five UT defensive records, KiKi DeAyala might be the greatest Longhorn never to receive any major national accolades.

DeAyala was a pass-rushing machine for the UT defense. He holds UT season and career records for sacks (22.5 and 40.5) and quarterback pressures (56 and 117).

Kiki did earn All-SWC first team and Defensive Lineman of the Year honors in 1982, but he never earned first-team All-American status or any other national awards recognizing his individual talents.

If it had been up to Texas Coach Fred Akers, DeAyala would have received much more praise for his production.

"DeAyala is a consistently fine, fine football player. I can't imagine a defensive end anywhere being better than KiKi. He's smart, experienced and he's a competitor."

*Image courtesy of Dobiealumni.com

#13 Cedric Benson (2001-2004) Running Back

The last great running back to don the burnt orange, Cedric Benson became a starter at Texas mid-way through his freshman season.

Benson rushed for 1,000 yards in his four seasons on campus, the first and only Longhorn to accomplish that feat.

On and off the field, Benson's career has nearly mirrored that of Ricky Williams. From the dreadlocks to their running styles, from their off-the-field habits to their similar builds, Benson and Williams have been eerily alike.

Benson's best season came his senior year, where he rushed for 1,800 yards and 19 touchdowns. He was named the Doak Walker Award winner that season, as well as the AT&T/ABC Sports National Player of the Year.

He helped lead the Longhorns by way of their second ranked rushing attack to their first ever Rose Bowl that season, beating Michigan in a last-second, thriller.

Benson finished second all-time in rushing yardage (5,540) and rushing touchdowns (64) for the Longhorns, behind only Williams in both categories.

He was selected fourth overall in the 2005 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears and currently plays for the Cincinnati Bengals.

#12 Johnnie Johnson (1976-1979) Defensive Back

During his time at Texas, Johnnie Johnson was a monster in the defensive backfield.

Johnson had 13 career interceptions at Texas and was a force against the run, adding 282 career tackles to his stat line. He was named the Downtown Athletic Club's top defensive back after his junior season.

The two-time consensus All-American also doubled as one of UT's most lethal returners in the program's history. He totaled 538 punt return yards during his sophomore season (second all-time at UT) and 1,004 during his four years on campus.

Johnson was drafted 17th overall by the Los Angeles Rams in 1980 and played 11 NFL seasons.

Johnny was named to the SWC's All-Decade team of the 1970s, and was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1990 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2007.

*Image courtesy of MackBrown-TexasFootball.com

#11 Brad Shearer (1974-1977) Defensive Tackle

Brad Shearer, a unanimous All-American selection in 1977, is one of the most decorated defensive tackles in UT's history.

In addition to his place on the '77 All-American team, Shearer won the Outland Trophy during his senior season, and was a Lombardi Award Finalist.

Following his college career, he played in the Hula Bowl and was drafted by the Chicago Bears.

Brad was named to the SWC 1970s All-Decade team.

Shearer was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1989.

*Image courtesy of Texas Sports

#10 Steve McMichael (1976-1979) Defensive Tackle

Steve "Mongo" McMichael was a four-year letterman while at UT. The two-time All-SWC and All-American winner graduated from Texas as their all-time leader in sacks and tackles.

A unanimous All-American choice in 1979, McMichael also finished as a finalist for the Lombardi and Outland Awards. Following his senior season, he was invited to play in the Hula Bowl where he earned MVP honors of the game.

Mongo was drafted in the third round of the 1980 NFL draft by the New England Patriots, but ended up playing 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears, including the famous 1985, "Monsters of the Midway", Super Bowl-winning defense.

He played in five Pro Bowls, and set the Bears record for most consecutive games played (191).

After his NFL days were over, Mongo went on to a professional wrestling career, most notably for his partnership with Ric Flair in the Four Horsemen. McMichael won the U.S. title in WCW.

McMichael was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1999, and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2009.

*Image courtesy of Austin American Statesman

#9 Jerry Sisemore (1970-1972) Offensive Tackle

Jerry Sisemore may be one of the finest in a proud tradition of Texas offensive linemen. Sisemore was a three-year letter winner, a two-time consensus All-American, and a Lombardi Award Finalist in 1972.

He was part of the 1970 national championship team and helped the Longhorns earn three straight SWC titles and Cotton Bowl Classic appearances.

Sisemore played in the 1973 Senior Bowl and Coaches All-America game following his senior season. He was selected third overall by the Philadelphia Eagles, earning two trips to the Pro Bowl during his 13-year career.

Sisemore was named to the SWC and Cotton Bowl All-Decade team for the 1970s and was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1980. He was later elected into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

*Image courtesy of MackBrown-TexasFootball.com

#8 Jerry Gray (1981-1984) Defensive Back

Jerry Gray was a ball-hawking defensive back that was fearless in run support. The two-time consensus All-American totaled 16 interceptions in his career at Texas, and tallied 297 tackles.

He was named Team MVP of the Longhorns in his junior and senior seasons, and was selected to play in the 1985 Hula Bowl.

Gray was a first round pick of the LA Rams in 1985 and spent 10 seasons in the NFL. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection, earning MVP honors in his final appearance in 1990. He recorded seven tackles and a 51-yard interception return for a touchdown in that game.

Gray was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1996.

*image courtesy of Texas Sports

#7 Derrick Johnson (2001-2004) Linebacker

One of the best defenders in Longhorn history, Derrick Johnson was the most dominant linebacker to come out of Texas not named Tommy Nobis.

DJ averaged more than 100 tackles during his four years in college. Johnson only totaled 10.5 sacks at Texas, but he was excellent in pass coverage with 9 interceptions and 30 pass breakups.

Maybe the most impressive of Johnson's stats were his 9 forced fumbles during his senior season.

Johnson was a consensus All-American in both 2003 and 2004. After being named a Butkus Award finalist in his junior year, he won the award in '04. DJ also took home the Lombardi and Nagurski Awards home during his senior season, one in which finished 11-1 after beating Michigan in UT's first ever Rose Bowl game.

The Kansas City Chiefs made DJ Johnson the 15th overall pick of the 2005 NFL draft. He has spent all five of his NFL seasons with the Chiefs.

*Image courtesy of Texas Sports

#6 Colt McCoy (2005-2009) Quarterback

Coming out of a small West Texas high school, little was expected out of Colt McCoy, the smallish quarterback with the thick southern drawl.

Most around the Longhorn program thought he'd be nothing more than a career backup at UT. But by the time his career at Texas was done, McCoy became one of the greatest Longhorns of all-time.

McCoy took over in 2006, winning the starting job as a redshirt freshman over the much ballyhooed Jevan Snead. McCoy was faced with the impossible task of following UT legend Vince Young.

All Colt did was toss 29 touchdown passes, setting the UT single-season mark and tying the all-time NCAA freshman record.

McCoy experienced somewhat of a sophomore slump in 2007, but managed to throw for 3,300 yards and 22 touchdowns.

McCoy's junior season was probably his best individually. He was selected as a first-team All-American, and finished 2nd to Sam Bradford in the Heisman vote.

McCoy threw for 34 touchdowns, passed for over 3,800 yards, ran for 561 (and another 11 TDs) and brought Texas within 1 second of a national championship berth.

McCoy led the Longhorns to an 11-1 record and a share of the Big 12 South title, but a BCS fiasco kept them out of the Big 12 championship and national championship games.

2009 saw McCoy continue his assault on the record books. On their way to an undefeated regular season, McCoy led the 'Horns with another All-American season.

The two-time Heisman finalist earned the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm, Maxwell, Davey O'Brien, and Manning awards. He was also given Player of the Year honors by AT&T/ABC and The Walter Camp Foundation.

After he led the 'Horns to the 2009 BCS title game against Alabama, McCoy suffered a shoulder injury that sidelined him from the 5th play on.

McCoy owns every major UT passing record, and he left Austin as college football's all-time winningest quarterback with 45 wins during his four year career.

He led UT to 12 2nd-half comebacks. And if he had gotten the opportunity to finish the title game with a win against the Crimson Tide, McCoy could have made a strong claim to the No. 1 spot on this list.

McCoy was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft.

#5 Bobby Layne (1944-1947) Quarterback

Doak Walker, one of the greatest running backs to ever play the game, said that, "(Bobby Layne) never lost a game. Time just ran out on him."

One of only five football player to have their numbers retired, the 1947 consensus All-American finds himself in the top five of all-time great Longhorns.

Layne, the four-time All-SWC QB, left UT as the all-time passing leader with 3,145 yards. Like all great players do, the dual-threat QB played his best under the brightest spotlights.

In 1946, Layne led the Longhorns in a win over Missouri in the Cotton Bowl Classic, throwing for two touchdowns, adding four on the ground, and kicking four extra points.

That performance led to him being one of the first inductees into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame. Layne was also named Outstanding Back of the 1948 Sugar Bowl in a win over the eighth ranked Alabama Crimson Tide.

After his storied college career, Layne spent 15 years in the pros and led the Detroit Lions to three league titles. He was twice named an all-league QB, and was voted into the pro football Hall of Fame in 1967.

Layne was also inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1963, and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1968.

*Image courtesy of MackBrown-TexasFootball.com

#4 Earl Campbell (1974-1977) Running Back

From the time he stepped foot on campus, Earl Campbell was an instant impact player for Darell Royal and his wishbone offense.

And as the school's first ever Heisman Trophy winner, Campbell checks in on this list as the fourth greatest Longhorn of all-time.

Finishing his career as UT's all-time rushing yardage (4,443) and touchdown (41) leader, Campbell was blessed with speed to bust the long runs and the power (and will) to run through defenders.

The Tyler Rose was a three-time member of the All-SWC team. His senior season might stand as the best ever for a Texas running back.

On his way to setting the SWC single-season rushing record (1744 yards, a record that stood for 16 years), the big bruising back ran for over 100 yards in 10 different games and found paydirt 19 times.

Campbell was chosen as a consensus All-American and became the first ever Davey O'Brien award winner after his senior season.

In 1978, the Houston Oilers selected the hometown hero as the first overall pick in the NFL draft.

Campbell was selected as Rookie of the Year in his first season, and won the league's rushing title four times during his nine year career. The five-time Pro Bowler was voted into the NFL Hall of Fame
in 1990.

Campbell was also inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1988, and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

*Image courtesy of The University of Texas

#3 Ricky Williams (1995-1998) Running Back

Easily among the most controversial figures to come out of the Texas program, Ricky Williams is also among the greatest.

When Williams exhausted his eligibility at the University of Texas, he left with the NCAA career rushing mark and still holds or shares 20 college football records.

The compact running back from San Diego was solid in his first 2 seasons on campus, rushing for a combined 2,262 yards and 20 touchdowns. But it was his junior year when Ricky started producing all-time numbers.

Williams rushed for nearly 1,900 yards and 25 touchdowns in 1997 on his way to a consensus All-American selection and the Doak Walker Award.

Those numbers, both UT records at the time, only netted him a fifth place finish in the Heisman Trophy voting, placing behind future NFL stars Charles Woodson, Peyton Manning, and Randy Moss.

Williams almost left Austin after his junior season. Mack Brown was coming in to replace John Mackovic as head coach, and Ricky wasn't sure he wanted to play for a new coach in his senior season.

When Brown told him he'd have to cut his dreadlocks, Williams had all but packed his bags.

But if there is anything to know about Coach Brown, it's that he is a great recruiter. And his first blue-chip commit was Williams electing to stay for his senior season after a series of meetings between the player and coach.

He followed up his '97 campaign with another unanimous first-team All-American selection.

After becoming the first Longhorn to rush for over 2,000 yards (2,124) in a season, Williams took home UT's second-ever Heisman trophy.

He added to his collection another Doak Walker Award, the '98 Maxwell award, and was recognized by the Walter Camp Football Foundation as the Player of the Year.

His 27 touchdowns that season, and 72 for his career, both still stand as Texas records.

Williams was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 1999, after Coach Mike Ditka traded away every other draft pick that the Saints had that year.

Since that time, he's had a rollercoaster ride of an NFL career but has seemed to find his niche with the Miami Dolphins in recent seasons.

Williams is only one of five Longhorns to have their number retired, and almost assuredly will be named to the Longhorn Hall of Honor and College Football Hall of Fame.

#2 Tommy Nobis (1963-1965) Linebacker/Guard

Coach Darrell Royal called him the best two-way linemen he had ever coached.

While there might have been better offensive lineman in UT's history, the impact that Tommy Nobis had from the defensive side of the ball has never been duplicated.

Undeniably the most dominant defensive player that Longhorn fans have ever seen, a strong case could be made for the Texas linebacker as the greatest overall player in UT's history.

Nobis was the lone sophomore starter on the 1963 national championship team. One of his more infamous plays came the following season, when Nobis stopped a late 4th-and-inches attempt by Joe Namath near the Texas goal-line in an Orange Bowl victory over #1 Alabama.

Despite a knee injury that hampered his senior season, Nobis was selected as a consensus All-American, the Maxwell and Outland award recipient, and was tagged by Sports Illustrated as the top defender in college football in 1965.

For his career, the linebacker recorded nearly 20 tackles a game on his way to being elected into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1976 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1981.

Nobis went on to became the #1 overall draft pick of the Atlanta Falcons, a first for the Longhorn program. His rookie campaign was good enough to claim Rookie of the Year honors in 1965.

Nobis ended up playing with the Falcons for 10 years and still works in Atlanta's front office today. The former Texas linebacker was named to the NFL's All-1960's team as well as the Football News' all-time All-American team

*Image courtesy of Texas Sports

#1 Vince Young (2003-2005) Quarterback

Taking into account over 100 years of football, it was difficult to single one player out as the greatest to ever play for the University of Texas.

And in trying to decide who to rank at the top of this list, I kept coming back to same question...if I had one play to win a game, who would I want out on the field for that play?

The University of Texas has had dozens of incredible athletes grace the 40 acres over the history of the program. And there have been many players that have etched their name in Longhorn lore with clutch performances that have helped define the tradition of UT football.

But nobody has done it quite like Vince Young.

In the brightest of spotlights, and in the most dire of situations, Young led his Longhorns to victory time and time again.

Whether is was 4th and 18 late in a 2004 game against Kansas, or down 12 with 6 minutes to play against the Greatest Team of all-time, Young cemented his place as one of the greatest to ever play the college game.

Texas had never been to the Rose Bowl prior to the 2004 season. But after he led the Longhorns on back-to-back trips to Pasadena, Young and the Longhorns emerged with a national championship and two Rose Bowl victories on the back of a couple of the greatest performances in college football history.

In 2005, Young was honored with the Manning, Maxwell, and Davey O'Brien awards. He was also named as the AT&T/ABC Sports National Player of the Year and a consensus All-American.

Young fell short in that year's Heisman race, finishing second to USC's Reggie Bush. But it was Young and his 'Horns that claimed the national championship from Bush and the Trojans in the 2006 Rose Bowl.