Griffin’s Mount Rushmore
Vince Young
Not only is Vince one of the greatest players to ever play for Texas, but he may also be one of the greatest players to ever play college football. What he was able to do with both his arm and his feet is something that has rarely ever been duplicated. The 2006 Rose Bowl against USC to finally win the program a national championship wraps it all together, playing in the greatest college football game of all time.
Mack Brown
Brown went on a special run from 2000-2009, a decade that included two Big 12 championships, a national championship, and another national championship appearance. Over that decade, the Longhorns went 12-8 against Oklahoma and Texas A&M, their biggest rivals. Double-digit wins in all but the 2000 season caps off an incredible stretch for Texas football. His overall record of 158-48 makes him a Longhorn legend forever.
Jordan Shipley
A bit of a curveball, but the late 2000 Texas teams do not have success offensively without Jordan Shipley. He was Colt McCoy’s favorite target, leading Texas in all-time receptions. Once he had the ball in his hands, he was gone, also leading the Longhorns in all-time receiving yards. His 2008 and 2009 seasons were special, combining for 205 receptions and 2,545. Shipley was also a special teams threat. Who could forget his return against Oklahoma in 2008? While a wide receiver may be a gutsy selection, Shipley’s impact was outstanding.
Ricky Williams
The latest Texas player to win the Heisman was Ricky Williams and he did it in outstanding fashion. His 2,124 rushing yard season in 1998 is the most ever from a Texas player. His career total of 6,279 rushing yards is nearly 800 yards more than any other Longhorn player. He was so good in college, Mike Ditka and the New Orleans Saints traded away his entire NFL Draft for him. Texas never will have another running back like Ricky Williams.