5 Best Texas NFL Players
Texas sits in the middle of the richest high school football state in the country, and the Longhorns have turned that into a long line of NFL talent. These five are ranked on their college careers in Austin, which means Heisman seasons and title game performances count more than what happened on Sundays. The top two might be the most famous individual seasons in Big 12 history.
1. Earl Campbell
Running Back · 1974 to 1977
Campbell won the 1977 Heisman after rushing for 1,744 yards and 18 touchdowns while carrying an offense that had almost no passing threat. He was 5 foot 11 and 240 pounds with genuine speed, so defenders had to choose between getting run over and getting outrun. Texas went undefeated in the regular season that year with Campbell touching the ball more than 25 times a game. He finished with over 4,400 career rushing yards and went first overall to Houston in 1978.
2. Vince Young
Quarterback · 2003 to 2005
Young's 2005 season ended with the single greatest individual performance in a national championship game, when he ran for 200 yards, threw for 267, and scored the winning touchdown against USC on fourth down. He accounted for more than 4,000 total yards that year and finished second in Heisman voting despite being the best player in the country. His running style was almost impossible to describe, a long striding glide that made defenders look like they were slowing down. He also went 30 and 2 as a starter.
3. Ricky Williams
Running Back · 1995 to 1998
Williams won the 1998 Heisman and left as the NCAA's all time leading rusher with more than 6,200 yards. He ran for over 2,100 yards as a senior at more than six yards a carry and scored 27 touchdowns while everybody in the stadium knew he was getting the ball. He also played minor league baseball during his college years, which did nothing to slow him down. The stiff arm and the low pad level made him nearly impossible for one defender to bring down.
4. Tommy Nobis
Linebacker · 1963 to 1965
Nobis won the Outland Trophy and the Maxwell Award in 1965, which is remarkable for a linebacker, and he played offensive guard as well. He was credited with close to 20 tackles a game in some seasons, playing in the middle of a defense that won the 1963 national championship. Coaches described him as the most instinctive player they had ever coached, which held up when he became NFL Rookie of the Year in 1966. He was the first overall pick that year.
5. Derrick Johnson
Linebacker · 2001 to 2004
Johnson swept the Butkus Award and the Nagurski Trophy in 2004 after a senior year with 130 tackles, nine forced fumbles, and 15 tackles for loss. He covered sideline to sideline as well as any linebacker of his era and had the range to carry tight ends up the seam. He left Austin as a two time All American and the most decorated defender of the modern Texas era. Kansas City took him 15th overall in 2005.
Tough Calls
Brian Orakpo, Colt McCoy, Jamaal Charles, Michael Huff, Kenny Vaccaro, Justin Tucker, and Bijan Robinson all have arguments. McCoy won more games than any quarterback in FBS history at the time and Orakpo swept the pass rushing awards in 2008. This list weighted national awards and championship stakes heavily.
Texas by the Numbers
Texas has produced two Heisman winners, multiple first overall NFL draft picks, and a long run of first round defensive players. The most consistent pipelines have been running back and defensive front seven, with linebackers in particular going early over several decades. In recent classes the Longhorns have also become a steady source of NFL receivers and running backs again.
Why Austin Sends Players to Sundays
The in state recruiting base means Texas can field a roster where most of the two deep were high school stars, and practice reps go against future pros. The Red River Rivalry and Big 12 or SEC schedule guarantee national exposure in October and November. Players leave Austin used to a professional level of facilities, training, and attention.
Test Yourself on Texas Players
Reading about them is one thing. Naming them on sight is another. CollegeGuessr shows you an NFL player and asks which college he came from. Build a streak, post your score on the Big Board, and see how your football knowledge holds up.