The 5 Best Texas NFL Players of All Time

Earl Campbell capped his Texas career with the 1977 Heisman Trophy after leading the nation with 1,744 rushing yards and scoring 18 touchdowns. Texas went undefeated through the regular season while Campbell handled more than 25 touches per game in an offense heavily dependent on the run. He finished with more than 4,400 career rushing yards before Houston selected him first overall in 1978.

Campbell's place among Texas greats reflects both sustained production and a clearly defined peak. His career total establishes that the Heisman season was the culmination of a substantial college body of work. The heavy workload and limited passing support also give that final season context: his rushing was central to the offense during an unbeaten regular season.

Vince Young finished his 2005 Texas season with 3,036 passing yards, 1,050 rushing yards and a second-place Heisman finish. He then delivered 267 passing yards and 200 rushing yards against USC in the national championship game, scoring the winning touchdown on fourth down. That title-winning performance capped a college career in which Texas went 30–2 with Young as its starting quarterback.

The championship finish is the centerpiece of Young's ranking case, but it should not obscure the broader résumé. His season totals establish major contributions as both passer and runner, and his starting record places that peak within sustained team success. For Texas, the argument is unusually complete: a productive season, a decisive championship performance and an extended record of winning.

Ricky Williams won the 1998 Heisman Trophy after rushing for 2,124 yards as a Texas senior. He averaged more than six yards per carry and scored 27 touchdowns that season, completing a college career with 6,279 rushing yards and the NCAA career rushing record at the time. Williams also played minor league baseball during his college years, adding a crossover role to an already substantial football résumé.

Williams offers a strong balance of longevity and peak performance in a Texas ranking. His career rushing total reflects accumulation across multiple seasons, while his senior efficiency shows that the final surge was more than a product of volume. The Heisman season strengthened an established body of work rather than supplying the entire argument for his inclusion.

Tommy Nobis played linebacker and offensive guard for Texas, contributing to the 1963 national championship team before winning the Outland Trophy and Maxwell Award in 1965. He was credited with close to 20 tackles per game in some seasons, placing a substantial defensive workload at the center of his college career. Selected first overall in 1966, he also earned NFL Rookie of the Year recognition.

Nobis stands out in a Texas ranking because his contribution crossed units without changing his primary identity as a linebacker. His offensive responsibilities provide important context for the award combination, rather than making those honors purely defensive evidence. The championship role and later individual recognition also separate his sustained contribution from the decorated final season that capped his college career.

Derrick Johnson finished his Texas career with a decorated senior season in 2004, winning the Butkus Award and Nagurski Trophy. He recorded 130 tackles, nine forced fumbles and 15 tackles for loss, combining frequent involvement with plays that disrupted possessions. Johnson left Austin as a two-time All-American before Kansas City selected him 15th overall in the 2005 draft.

His ranking case benefits from the different kinds of production in that final season. The tackle total establishes involvement, while the forced fumbles and backfield stops demonstrate impact beyond simply finishing plays. Winning both awards gives the senior peak national recognition, and his repeat All-American status adds evidence of excellence beyond one year. Together, those accomplishments make a substantial college-based argument for his Texas placement.