Texas football has produced many standout athletes over the years, with players earning awards such as the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, and Outland Trophy. Notable names include quarterbacks Colt McCoy, Bobby Layne, and Vince Young; running backs Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams; and linebacker Tommy Nobis.
In a recent ranking of the 15 greatest Texas football players of all time compiled by Sporting News, each athlete’s legacy was measured using a points-based system. The formula awarded points for accomplishments including winning or placing highly in the Heisman voting, receiving major national awards like the Doak Walker or Davey O’Brien, achieving consensus All-American status, subjective measures of school legacy, and statistics relative to their era.
The list is primarily composed of Texas natives. It starts at No. 15 with Scott Appleton, who helped lead the Longhorns to a national championship in 1963 as a tackle. Roosevelt Leaks appears at No. 14 after rushing for over 1,400 yards in 1973. Cedric Benson earned his place at No. 13 for his consistency as a four-year starter at running back.
Further up the list are defensive standouts like Jerry Sisemore (No. 12), Steve McMichael (No. 11), Tony Degrate (No. 10), Jerry Gray (No. 9), Kenneth Sims (No. 8), and Derrick Johnson (No. 7). Each made lasting contributions during their collegiate careers before moving on to professional football or coaching roles.
At No. 6 is Bobby Layne, quarterback from Dallas who guided Texas to a strong record in the mid-1940s and later won championships with the Detroit Lions in the NFL.
Tommy Nobis ranks fifth on the list for his two-way play during Texas’ national title run in 1963 and for being considered one of school’s top defenders even decades after graduating.
Colt McCoy sits fourth among these greats due to his passing records and collection of major awards throughout his time as starting quarterback from 2006-09.
Earl Campbell takes third position after earning recognition as one of college football’s elite running backs in the late-1970s — most notably winning the Heisman Trophy in his final season — while playing an instrumental role against rivals like Oklahoma.
Vince Young is second overall thanks largely to his leadership during Texas’ national championship victory over USC at the Rose Bowl in January 2006—an event widely remembered for Young’s dramatic performance both passing and rushing.
The top spot goes to Ricky Williams whose extensive accolades include winning the Heisman Trophy in 1998 alongside other prominent awards such as Maxwell Award and Doak Walker Award across consecutive seasons. Williams broke several records while at Texas—including what was then an NCAA career rushing mark—and had significant influence on shaping Mack Brown’s early tenure as head coach.
According to Sporting News’ analysis: “Taking Ricky Williams over Young is controversial…Still, Williams—a five-foot-ten, two hundred twenty-six pound running back—is the most-decorated running back in Texas history.”
Williams’ career featured iconic moments such as honoring Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee Doak Walker by rushing for a school-record three hundred fifty yards against Iowa State in October nineteen ninety-eight.
