Over the past 50 years, we’ve witnessed numerous No. 1 overall picks in the NFL Draft experience either successful or disappointing professional careers.
Our colleagues over at the Draft Wire recently graded each No. 1 selection. While some are too early in their respective careers, only seven have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame thus far.
While all 50 of the top selections were ranked, only one former Longhorn cracked the list. Former Texas running back Earl Campbell landed at the No. 7 spot.
Campbell was the first overall pick in the 1978 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers. It didn’t take long for him to get accustomed to the league, as he was named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year in each of his first three seasons.
Just how dominant was he? Campbell’s most productive rushing yardage season came in 1980, with 1,934 yards in 15 games. That’s a jaw-dropping average of 128.9 yards per game. He came just 80 yards short of breaking O.J. Simpson’s single-season rushing yards record at the time.
He quickly made his mark on the league and left a influential legacy behind. Campbell will forever be acknowledged as one of the best power running backs in NFL history.