Texas Football: Longhorns All-Time NFL Defensive Unit

Texas Longhorns football is as tradition-rich as any program in America. 

While the Big 12 has recently embraced an offensive approach to football, it was the conference's defense that first made it stand out from the rest.

Texas has had its share of defensive studs over the years. Some carried their success on to long NFL careers, while for others, college was their moment of glory.

Here we will field a unit of Texas' all-time great defensive players who continued to excel in the NFL.

Cory Redding, DE

Cory Redding played in every game for the four years he was a Texas Longhorn and was twice selected to the first-team All-Big 12.

He was drafted in the third round of the 2003 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions.

In the NFL, Redding has made an impact in each of his nine seasons in the league. After his breakout 2004 campaign, he became one of the best defensive linemen in the league. In 2006, Redding set a career high with 48 tackles and eight sacks.

Redding is currently playing for the Baltimore Ravens where he helps anchor one of the best defenses in the league.

Tony Brackens, DE

Tony Brackens was a hard-hitting defensive end for the Texas Longhorns. He was an All-American and ranks eighth in Longhorns history with 24 sacks.

Brackens was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round of the 1996 NFL draft. He spent his entire eight-year pro career with the Jaguars.

Brackens is ranked first in Jacksonville’s history with 55 career sacks, 28 forced fumbles and 13 fumble recoveries. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2000 and remains one of the Jaguars' all-time best defensive ends.

Casey Hampton, DT

Arguably the best nose tackle to play for the Texas Longhorns, Casey Hampton was an All-American and Defensive Player of the Year his senior season. He ranks 11th on Texas’ all-time tackles list and led the team in tackles two years in a row.

Hampton was drafted 19th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2001 NFL draft and continued his impressive play at the next level.

Among Hampton’s many achievements are three Super Bowl Championships, five Pro Bowl selections and a team MVP award in 2005.

Hampton is one of Pittsburgh’s defensive anchors and plays an intense, physical game that has earned him praise throughout the league.

Steve McMichael, DT

Steve McMichael was one of the best linemen in Texas Longhorns history. He was voted team MVP in 1979 and was a consensus All-American two years in a row.

McMichael was drafted in the third round of the 1980 NFL draft by the New England Patriots and spent his 15 years in the league with the Patriots, Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. 

Thirteen of McMichael’s seasons in the NFL were spent with the Bears. He helped the team reach the Super Bowl in 1985, playing a key part in the NFL’s best defense that allowed negative yards in the first quarter of the game.

McMichael was also a five-time Pro Bowl selection. After his career in the NFL ended, he went on to become a professional wrestler.

Tommy Nobis, ILB

Tommy Nobis is not just one of the Texas Longhorns’ best players; he is one of the best linebackers in college football history. He averaged almost 20 tackles a season and won the Outland Trophy for the best interior lineman and the Maxwell Award for college football’s best player. 

In the NFL, Nobis did not disappoint. He was the first-ever selection of the Atlanta Falcons franchise. In 1966, Nobis won the Rookie of the Year award, was voted to the Pro Bowl and amassed 294 combined tackles, which is still a single-season record.

For his career, Nobis was a five-time Pro Bowl selection, two-time All Pro and was named to the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team. His No. 60 is retired with both the Texas Longhorns and the Atlanta Falcons.

Derrick Johnson, OLB

Derrick Johnson’s career with the Texas Longhorns was marked by dominant play and a slew of awards. While in college, Johnson was a two-time consensus All-American and won the Dick Butkus Award and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.

He was selected 15th overall in the 2005 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, where he is still playing.

Johnson has had over 90 combined tackles in a season three times in his career, with his peak being a 121-tackle season in 2010. He has lived up to expectations in Kansas City, proving to be a steady player and a force in the middle of the field.

Johnson plays primarily at inside linebacker, but was too skilled to be left off this list.

Brian Orakpo, OLB

At Texas, Orakpo led one of the Longhorns’ best defensive attacks. He was voted the Big 12 Player of the Year and won a mess of awards including the Lombardi Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy. He was a unanimous first-team All-American.

The Washington Redskins picked Orakpo 13th overall in the 2009 NFL draft. With the Redskins, Orakpo switched his position from defensive end to outside linebacker, but was not slowed one bit.

He has 25 career sacks in just two-and-a-half seasons in Washington as well as four forced fumbles. Orakpo's physical skills are incredible. His quickness allows him to get past the opposition while his strength helps him bring down runners.

Orakpo is young and still adapting to his new position. The best is yet to come for this talented linebacker.

Nathan Vasher, CB

Nathan Vasher played many roles in college. He was both a strong safety and a cornerback for the Texas Longhorns. He tied a school record with 17 career interceptions and was also an All-American punt returner. 

Vasher was drafted in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears. His peak was in the 2005 season when he led the NFC with eight interceptions. That season, Vasher was an All-Pro and voted to the Pro Bowl. 

Vasher’s athleticism allows him to jump routes and blanket receivers. His experience in many different roles at Texas helped him adapt to NFL defenses quickly.

Raymond Clayborn, CB

Raymond Clayborn began his career with the Texas Longhorns as a wide receiver. However, when he switched to cornerback, the awards started piling up. Clayborn was an All-American selection his senior year. 

In the 1977 NFL draft, he was selected 16th by the New England Patriots. He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and in addition to his cornerbacking duties, he excelled at returning kicks.

Clayborn was a player who competed every single snap. He was undersized, but had a knack for knowing where to be at the right time. Clayborn won at every level because of his intelligence and feel for the game.

Michael Huff, S

Michael Huff was a game-changing safety for the Texas Longhorns. He was a first-team All-American and won the Jim Thorpe Award for the best defensive back in the country. Huff returned a record four interceptions for touchdowns in his college career.

The Oakland Raiders chose Huff with the seventh pick in the 2006 NFL draft. While Huff has enjoyed success for most of his pro career, his best season was in 2010. Huff had career highs in tackles, interceptions and forced fumbles.

As Huff continues to acclimate to Oakland’s defense and learn his role, he can impact countless numbers of games. Huff is a valuable asset and will continue to improve in each game.

Jerry Gray, S

Jerry Gray was an incredibly skilled defensive back for the Texas Longhorns. He knew how to win games and used his intelligence to improve every year he played at Texas. Gray was a two-time All American for the Longhorns.

He was selected 21st overall by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1985 NFL draft. Gray would go on to make four Pro Bowls and was voted the MVP of the 1989 Pro Bowl.

He continued his professional career much like his time in college as he continued boosting his stats year after year. Gray finished his time in the NFL with 28 career interceptions and countless helmet-rocking hits.