Top 5 Longhorn Football Rosters Through 2014
Don’t be confused about how well they did on the field; these aren’t the best teams, just the best rosters.
#5. 1995
This team was loaded!! Tony Brackens, Taje Allen, Bryant Westbrook, Chris Carter, and Chris Atkins were some of the defensive players. Ricky Williams was a freshman. Priest Holmes and Shon Mitchell were in front of him. But Holmes got hurt and missed the season. Williams rushed for 990 yards, while Mitchell finished with 1,099. James Brown was the quarterback, Phil Dawson was the kicker, and Wane McGarity was on the team. Members of this roster were drafted 12 times. During his playing career, offensive lineman Dan Neil became one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL and won two Super Bowls with the Broncos. Dawson was still kicking as of last season in the NFL. The 1995 team went 10-2-1 with wins over Texas A&M, Virginia, and Texas Tech. This team couldn’t beat Oklahoma and lost to Notre Dame on the road 55-27. This team also lost to Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl, 28-10
Doug Dawson was the first Longhorn football player to receive the NCAA’s Silver Anniversary award for his impactful career. As a professional player, he played for 21 years, booting 441 field goals for an 83.8% success rate.
2007
#4 Greatest Roster in Longhorn history ( Not best record, but Roster).
This roster featured members of the 2005 national title squad, as well as key players from the 2009 title run. Colt McCoy, the program’s all-time leading passer, was a sophomore and the starting quarterback. Jamaal Charles, the fourth all-time leading rusher in program history, was the starting tailback. Offensive threats included Limas Sweed, Quan Cosby, Jermichael Finley, and Jordan Shipley. However, this roster stands out for its defensive stars: Brian Orakpo, Sergio Kindle, Marcus Griffin, Sam Acho, Lamarr Houston, Henry Melton, Roddrick Muckelroy, Roy Miller, Rashad Bobino, Ryan Palmer, Robert Killebrew, and Frank Okam. The roster was so strong that Earl Thomas—potentially a future NFL Hall of Famer—was redshirted as a freshman. There are probably more names deserving recognition. This team finished 10-3, ranked 10th in the final standings, and defeated Arizona State 52-34 in the bowl game. Losses to Oklahoma, Kansas State, and Texas A&M still sting.
1983
#3. Greatest football Roster through 2014 (not best record, but roster)
1969
# 2. Greatest football Roster through 2014
The 1969 team has appeared on many lists, and for good reason—they won a national title. Their roster achieved two national titles and impressive records of 11-0, 10-1, 8-3, and 10-1 over four years from 1969 to 1972. The team featured legendary Texas quarterbacks James Street and Eddie Phillips, along with Ted Koy and Jim Bertelsen in the backfield. They even had a game where four players rushed for over 100 yards. Freddie Steinmark, who inspired a movie, was also a key player. Glen Halsell, Happy Feller, and Mike and Tom Campbell, sons of defensive coordinator Mike Campbell, were part of this remarkable team. In 1971, nine Longhorns entered the NFL draft, including two second-round picks. Bob McKay was a first-round pick in 1970, while Leo Brooks and Ted Koy were second-round picks, and Bertelsen and Phillips were drafted in 1972.
2003
#1. Most excellent football Roster through 2014
It was one of the first rosters that showcased just how great coach Mack Brown was at recruiting. This roster had Vince taking over as a redshirt freshman, Cedric Benson establishing himself as an all-time great running back, and Derrick Johnson on defense with Michael Huff, Michael Griffin, Aaron Ross, and Tarrell Brown in the defensive backfield. All those NFL defensive backs and safety Phillip Geiggar led DBU in tackles. Tim Crowder, Brian Robison, and Marcus Tubbs brought the pressure. Kalen Thornton (4 sacks) and Rodrique Wright (7.5 sacks) added heft to the defensive line. Reed Boyd had 80 tackles, while Johnson finished 125.
Roy Williams, the all-time leading receiver in Texas history, was with Limas Sweed (a redshirt freshman), whose touchdown at Ohio State in 2005 helped the Longhorns kick off their national title run that year. The offensive line featured Justin Blalock, Kasey Studdard, Lyle Sendlein, Jonathan Scott, and Bo Scaife, who was a tight end. The 2003 Longhorns went 10-3, losing big to Oklahoma and falling to Washington State in the Holiday Bowl. They did beat Texas A&M 46-15 and Nebraska 31-7. This team finished 12th in the A.P. rankings
