The college football season is a mere 82 days away. The Texas Longhorns football team will begin their voluntary workouts on Monday which gives us optimism that college football will be played on time. In continuing the series, Longhorns Wire takes a look back at the best players to wear 82.
Corbin James “Corby” Robertson, Defensive End-Linebacker (1966-68)
Corby Robertson first played for the Longhorns in 1966. He started out as a defensive end in that first season. The team would finish the year 7-4 with a Bluebonnet Bowl win over Ole Miss 19-0. They finished tied for second with Arkansas in the Southwest Conference, the edge going the Razorbacks’ way due to a 12-7 victory over Texas. Robertson would be named All-SWC defensive end.
In 1967 the Longhorns would finish 6-4 and third in the conference standings. They did not qualify for a bowl bid. Robertson would be named All-American at Linebacker as well as GTE Academic All-American for his work in the classroom.
In his senior season in 1968, Robertson would be named co-captain and once again Academic All-American. He was also given the team sportsmanship award. The Longhorns finished as SWC co-champions along with Arkansas. However, Texas defeated the Razorbacks 39-29 at Memorial Stadium in Austin.
After tying their first game and losing to Texas Tech, the Longhorns rattled off nine straight wins including a 36-13 drubbing of the eighth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers in the Cotton Bowl Classic. Robertson would be inducted into the Texas Hall of Honor in 1993.
Currently incoming freshman Troy Omeire wears number 82 for the Texas Longhorns. Omeire originally committed to the Aggies before the Longhorns were able to flip him last September. According to Max Preps, Omeire caught 149 passes for 2,432 yards and 31 touchdowns for Fort Bend Austin.