Casey Hampton – Syndication Server

TE Heath Miller, WR Hines Ward among 5 Steelers nominated for HOF Class of 2021

Five Pittsburgh Steelers are included in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021 nominees.

BREAKING: The Modern-Era nominees for the Class of 2021 have been unveiled. The list is comprised of 130 players. Among the group are 14 first-year eligible players.

See all nominees: https://t.co/NlwbZvxoeD #PFHOF21 pic.twitter.com/2oIwVP7PAU

— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) September 16, 2020

Five Steelers are among the modern-era nominees the Class of 2021, as announced by the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Wednesday.

“Selection Saturday,” where the modern-era finalists are selected from a pool of 15, will take place on February 6, the day before Super Bowl 2021. The class will be enshrined on Aug. 8, three days after the rescheduled Hall of Fame Game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys.

Here are the Steelers who are potential finalists for the 2021 Class:

Heath Miller, tight end

Hines Ward, wide receiver

Alan Faneca, guard

Casey Hampton, nose tackle

Joey Porter, linebacker

Last month, longtime Steelers scout Bill Nunn was named a contributor finalist.

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Bleacher Report lists Texas among schools who are ‘Defense U’

Bleacher Report is wrapping up a series in positional “U”, in which they crowned the top defensive school. The Longhorns were among them.

It seems to be an ongoing debate. Who is “DBU” or defensive back university. The usual suspects are Florida, Alabama, Ohio State, Louisiana State or Texas. Bleacher Report posed the question of who can claim “Defense U”. Texas was among the teams who made the cut just outside of the top three.

The top three schools should come as no shock with Florida State, Southern California and Miami (FL). The basis of the argument dates back from 1970 to current. For the Longhorns, they were the last team listed in the honorable mentions.

Casey Hampton, Doug English and Steve McMichael on the defensive line. Derrick Johnson and Brian Orakpo at linebacker. Earl Thomas, Jerry Gray and Raymond Clayborn in the secondary. There are no “best of all time” candidates in the bunch, but that’s a nice collection of alumni at all three levels of the defense, featuring a dozen multiple-time Pro Bowlers. That combination of factors made Texas the toughest school to cut out of our top three.

Prior to 1970, there was a man named Tommy Nobis who was viewed as one of the all-time greats in college football. However, bases on the criteria he was just outside of their scope as he finished his collegiate career in 1965. Had B/R expanded their list to a top five, the Longhorns are likely listed at number four of the greatest defensive talent schools in the last 50 years.

Other notable names that played defense at Texas were defensive end Bill Atessis (1968-70), defensive back Johnnie Johnson (1976-79), and defensive end Kiki DeAyla (1979-82). DeAyla still holds the school record for most sacks in a season (22.5 sacks) and for a career (40.5).

Countdown to Texas football: Best to wear No. 63-64

With 63 days remaining until Texas kicks off the season, we remember two of the best Longhorns in Casey Hampton and Justin Blalock.

Longhorns Wire is continuing the series of jersey numbers to match the days until Texas kicks off the season. On Sunday, we find ourselves remembering No. 63 and No. 65.

Continue reading “Countdown to Texas football: Best to wear No. 63-64”

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Texas Longhorns first round picks since 1999

Take a journey back to every Texas Longhorn to be drafted in the first round since 1999.

The 2020 NFL Draft is just hours away from officially kicking off. There are a few ways that you can tune into the festivities on Thursday Night. Despite the fact that the Texas Longhorns don’t have a first round caliber player according to almost every major draft analysts board, we take a journey back to every first round selection since 1999. The Longhorns could have a first round pick next year if Samuel Cosmi decides to declare or another name jumps to the front.

1999

Ricky Williams: 5th overall to the New Orleans Saints

In 1999 the New Orleans Saints and head coach Mike Ditka gave up their entire draft just to secure the rights for Ricky Williams. Williams went on to play for the Saints until 2001 when he had a career year for the Miami Dolphins in 2002. He earned his only Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors that season with 1,853 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Williams played for one other team before hanging up the cleats, the Baltimore Ravens in 2011. He finished his 11-year career with 10,009 yards rushing and 66 touchdowns. Adding another eight receiving. His career was never the same after retiring in 2004 and returning to the NFL in 2005.

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