Top 10 Best Texas College Football Players of All Time

One of the most legendary programs in college football history is the University of Texas. The Longhorns played their first season way back in 1893, and in that time, they have won four national championships (1963, 1969, 1970, 2005). Throughout all of those years, they have had some incredibly talented players. The remainder of this piece will talk about the ten greatest players in program history. 

Who Are the Best University of Texas Football Players of All Time?

1. Ricky Williams
2. Earl Campbell
3. Vince Young
4. Derrick Johnson
5. Colt McCoy
6. Bobby Layne
7. Cedric Benson
8. Chris Gilbert
9. Tommy Nobis
10. Roy Williams

1. Ricky Williams

• Two-time Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year (1997, 1998)
• Two-time All-American selection (1997, 1998)
• 1998 Heisman Trophy winner

While there have been plenty of great players over the years at Texas, Ricky Williams deserves the nod as the greatest of them all. Williams came to Texas in 1995 and was a key player all four years he was there from 1995 to 1998. Throughout those four years, he was a two-time Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year (1997, 1998), two-time All-American selection (1997, 1998), made three All-Big 12 teams (1996-1998), and won two Doak Walker Awards (1997, 1998). Additionally, he is one of just two Longhorns in history to win the Heisman Trophy, taking home the honor in 1998. 

Out of all of the running backs who have played at Texas, Williams ranks first in both rushing yards (6,279) and rushing touchdowns (72). In four seasons with him on the team, Texas made three bowl games, and they capped off Williams' great career with a victory in the 1998 Cotton Bowl. He was then drafted by the New Orleans Saints with the number five overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft. In an unsurprising move, Williams had his number 34 retired by Texas.

2. Earl Campbell

• Two-time All-American selection (1975, 1977)
• 1977 Davey O’Brien Award winner
• 1977 Heisman Trophy winner

The only other Heisman Trophy winner in the history of Texas football is the great Earl Campbell. Campbell played for Texas from 1974 to 1977. During his time there, he was selected to two All-American teams (1975, 1977), won the 1977 Davey O’Brien award, and won his aforementioned Heisman Trophy in 1977. Additionally, he had his number 20 retired by Texas in 1979. 

As for his career rushing ranks at Texas, Campbell has the third most rushing yards (4,443) and the third most rushing touchdowns (40) in team history. In his four years, he helped the team reach three bowl games, including a victory in the Bluebonnet Bowl in 1975 to finish off a 10-2 season. When his time at Texas was up, Campbell was drafted by the Houston Oilers with the number one overall pick in the 1978 NFL Draft. Unsurprisingly, Campbell was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame to honor his outstanding career.

3. Vince Young

• 2005 Maxwell Award Winner
• 2005 All-American Selection
• 2005 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year

The most prolific quarterback to ever wear the Texas uniform is the great Vince Young. Young only played three years at Texas from 2003 to 2005 before leaving for the NFL. Young won the 2003 Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, and in 2005, he took home a ton of major awards. These included the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, the Maxwell Award, the Manning Award, and the Davey O’Brien Award. He also was selected as an All-American that season.

Despite only playing three seasons, Young still ranks seventh all-time in passing yards with 6,040 and sixth in passing touchdowns with 44. A terrific runner of the ball, Young comes in at number seven in rushing yards (3,127) and fourth in rushing touchdowns (37). In his three seasons, Texas went 34-4, and they finished off his career with a 2005 National Championship. In the 2006 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans took Young with the third overall pick in the draft. Young’s number 10 has since been retired by Texas.

4. Derrick Johnson

• Two-time All-American selection (2003, 2004)
• 2004 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year
• Three-time All-Big 12 selection (2002-2004)

The first defensive player to crack the top ten is linebacker Derrick Johnson. Like Vince Young, Johnson played three years at Texas (2002-2004) and then went on to the NFL. His awards included the 2004 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, three All-Big 12 selections (2002-2004), two All-American selections (2003, 2004), the 2004 Dick Butkus Award, and the 2004 Jack Lambert Trophy.

A great tackler in the middle of the field, Johnson has the third most tackles in team history with 458. He also registered nine interceptions and one defensive touchdown during his time there. Overall, Texas was 32-6 when he played, taking home bowl victories in the 2002 Cotton Bowl and the 2004 Rose Bowl. In the 2005 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs drafted Johnson with the fifteenth overall pick in the draft. Johnson’s impact in the middle of the field will not be forgotten at Texas for years to come.

5. Colt McCoy

• Two-time All-American selection (2008, 2009)
• 2009 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year
• 2009 Maxwell Award Winner

The second quarterback on this list is the greatest statistical QB in team history, Colt McCoy. McCoy succeeded Vince Young at the position in 2006, and he held the job from 2006 to 2009. He went on to win 2006 Big 12 Offensive Rookie of the Year, be a two-time All-American (2008, 2009), a two-time Walter-Camp Award winner (2008, 2009), win the 2009 Maxwell Award, and win the 2009 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, among others.

As was mentioned above, McCoy is the greatest statistical QB ever at Texas, ranking number one in both passing yards (13,253) and passing touchdowns (112). He also has the highest completion percentage (70%) and second-highest quarterback rating (155) of any of the top twenty quarterbacks in team history in terms of passing yards. McCoy led the Longhorns to an overall record of 45-7, and he almost capped off his career in the perfect way, but Texas lost the 2009 National Championship Game. The Browns took McCoy with a third-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, and he went on to have a good NFL career.

6. Bobby Layne

• Two-time All-American selection (1946, 1947)
• Four-time All-Southwest Conference selection (1944-1947)
• Number 22 retired by Texas

The third and final quarterback kicks off the second half of this list in Bobby Layne. Layne is also the oldest player on this list, playing from 1944 to 1947. In his four years, he was a two-time All-American (1946, 1947) and a four-time All-Southwest Conference selection (1944-1947). He also is one of six players to have their jersey retired by Texas, as his number 22 hangs in the rafters at Texas football games.

While he has since been passed, at the time of his retirement, Layne ranked first in passing yards (3,145), touchdowns (25), completions (210), and starts (34) in Texas history. Layne guided the Longhorns to 33 wins in his four years, highlighted by the 945 Cotton Bowl and the 1947 Sugar Bowl. The Chicago Bears took Layne in the 1948 NFL Draft with the third overall pick, and he went on to win three NFL championships with the Detroit Lions prior to the Super Bowl era.

7. Cedric Benson

• 2001 Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year
• Four-time All-Big 12 selection (2001-2004)
• 2004 All-American selection

Another great running back who played for Texas in the early 2000s is Cedric Benson. Benson was a four-year player for Texas from 2001-2004 before moving on to the NFL. He was the 2001 Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, a four-time All-Big 12 team member (2001-2004), the 2004 Doak Walker Award, and was a 2004 All-American selection.

When it comes to his all-time rushing ranks at Texas, Benson comes in at number two in both rushing touchdowns (64) and rushing yards (5,540). Between 2001 and 2004, with Benson leading the way on offense, Texas won a bowl game in three of the four years. They won the 2001 Holiday Bowl, the 2002 Cotton Bowl, and the 2004 Rose Bowl. With the fourth overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, the Bears drafted Benson. He had a nice NFL career, but he tragically lost his life at the age of 36 after a motorcycle accident. His legacy lives on with a mentorship program in his honor in Austin, Texas.

8. Chris Gilbert

• 1968 All-American selection
• Three-time All-Southwest Conference selection (1966-1968)
• 1999 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee

The final running back to make this list is the great Chris Gilbert. Gilbert was a three-year player for the Longhorns from 1966 to 1968. He made the All-Southwest Conference team all three years (1966-1968) and was a 1968 All-American selection. He also finished eighth in the 1968 Heisman voting. He went on to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

On the Texas all-time rushing lists, Gilbert has the sixth most rushing yards (3,231) and the eleventh most rushing touchdowns (28) in program history. Between 1966 and 1968, Texas won 22 games, including the 1966 Bluebonnet Bowl and the 1968 Cotton Bowl. Unlike the previous members of this list, Gilbert did not go on to have much of an NFL career. The Jets took him in the fifth round of the 1969 Draft, but he never played a game in the NFL. Nonetheless, his career at Texas is still one that should not be forgotten.  

9. Tommy Nobis

• 1965 All-American selection
• 1965 Maxwell Award winner
• 1963 National Champion

The penultimate player on this list is another legendary Longhorn from the 1960s, Tommy Nobis. Nobis played three years for the Longhorns from 1963-1965, and he was a key player on their 1963 National Championship squad. He was a linebacker who also spent some time playing offensive line, so he played both offense and defense. He also was selected to the 1965 All-American team, won the 1965 Maxwell Award winner, and won the 1965 Outland Trophy. 

While none of Nobis’ career statistics stand out, the fact that he played both offense and defense at an elite level, something that does not happen often, earned him a spot on this list. He did go on to make the College Football Hall of Fame and have his number 60 retired by Texas. Along with the 1963 National Championship, Nobis helped the Longhorns win 27 total games and take home the 1964 Orange Bowl.

10. Roy Williams

• 2000 Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year
• Three-time All-Big 12 selection (2001-2003)
• 2003 All-American selection

The final player on this list is also the only wide receiver to make the cut in Roy Williams. Like so many others on this list, Williams played at Texas during the early 2000s, from 2000 to 2003. He was the 2000 Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, made three straight All-Big 12 teams (2001-2003), was a 2003 All-American selection, and was the MVP of the 2002 Cotton Bowl. Williams also was quite the track star at Texas, running in the 100-meter dash as well as doing the high jump and long jump.

On the all-time receiving leaderboards at Texas, Williams has the most receiving yards with 3,866 and the most receiving touchdowns with 36. He also occasionally took the ball as a running back, scoring three rushing touchdowns in his career. From 2000 to 2003, Texas went 41-10 and won the 2001 Holiday Bowl and the 2002 Cotton Bowl. The Detroit Lions would go on to take Williams with the seventh overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. 

Honorable Mentions

• Hub Bechtol
• Russell Erxleben
• Jerry Gray
• Roosevelt Leaks
• Brian Orakpo
• Jimmy Saxton
• Jordan Shipley
• Kenneth Sims
• Jerry Sisemore
• Harrison Stafford

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