Countdown to Texas football: Best to wear No. 55

In returning to the countdown to kickoff series, Longhorns Wire remembers the best wear number 55 Connor Williams.

We are 55 days away from the scheduled kickoff of the 2020 college football season. Despite the Big Ten and PAC 12 announcing conference only schedules, the Big 12 remains with a full slate of games for most of their teams. The Longhorns still have South Florida, Louisiana State and Texas-El Paso on the schedule. In continuing the kickoff series, Longhorns Wire looks at the best to wear number 55. Currently Willie Tyler wears the number. He redshirted his sophomore year in 2019 after transferring from Iowa Western Community College.

Connor Williams, Offensive Tackle (2015-17)

Connor Williams played three season for the Texas Longhorns before entering into the 2018 NFL Draft and forfeiting his remaining eligibility. He played and started 28 games during that time. He would start every game at left tackle as a freshman. He would earn Freshman All-American honors from three publications for his play.

In his sophomore season, Williams would be even better. He would start 11 games at left tackle for Texas. He earned consensus first team All-American honors. He became only the fourth sophomore in Longhorns history to earn that honor. The others were Earl Thomas, Hub Bechtol and Russell Erxleben.

As a junior in 2017, Williams found himself on the Maxwell Trophy, Outland Trophy and the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watchlists in the preseason. He would be listed on the pre-season All-American team as well as All-Big 12. He would only start five games that year due to injuries. He would declare for the 2018 NFL Draft.

The Dallas area native would get to stay home when the Dallas Cowboys selected him in the second round. In two years for the Cowboys, Williams played in 24 games, starting 21. He would be named starter at left guard his rookie year. In his second season, Connor would start 11 games and missed time due to arthroscopic knee surgery. Upon his return he would tear his ACL and be placed on the injured reserve.

Heading into 2020, Williams will once again have to battle for a starting spot with another Connor coming off injury. Williams and McGovern are both vying for starting roles at either center or left guard.

Accomplishments:

2015 Freshman All-American
2016 Consensus All-American
2016 First-team All-Big 12
2018 NFL Draft second round selection
2017 Outland Trophy Semifinalist

Countdown to Texas football: Best to wear No. 60

Continuing the countdown to kickoff for the Texas Longhorns, we remember number 60 Tommy Nobis.

Longhorns Wire is continuing the series of jersey numbers to match the days until Texas kicks off the season. On Monday, we find ourselves remembering No. 60. No current Longhorn can wear this number since it has been retired by the University of Texas. Continue reading “Countdown to Texas football: Best to wear No. 60”

Countdown to Texas football: Best to wear No. 61

The Longhorns Wire countdown to kickoff continues with number 61 Lewis P. “Bud” McFadin. He played for Texas from 1948-1950.

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. 61. No current Longhorn wears that number.

Continue reading “Countdown to Texas football: Best to wear No. 61”

Countdown to Texas Football: Best Longhorn to wear No. 62

As the countdown to the Texas Longhorns kicking off the season continues, we remember Bob McKay who wore number 62.

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. 62. No current Longhorn wears that number.

Continue reading “Countdown to Texas Football: Best Longhorn to wear No. 62”

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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Countdown to Texas Football: Best to wear No. 65

The countdown to the season continues with number 65, Greg Dahlberg. He was part of the infamous Sooners spygate.

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. 65. Currently, incoming freshman Jake Majors is assigned

Continue reading “Countdown to Texas Football: Best to wear No. 65”

Countdown to Texas Football: Best to wear No. 75

As the countdown to Texas football continues, we remember the best Longhorn to wear number 75. Octavious Bishop and Junior Angilau.

Longhorns Wire is continuing the series of jersey numbers to match the days until the Texas kicks off the season. On Thursday we find ourselves remembering number 75.

Octavious Bishop, Offensive Tackle (1995-98)

During the years of Ricky Williams setting records, one of the key blockers in front of him was Octavious Bishop. He was the starting left tackle for three years in Austin. While blocking up front, it allowed Williams to run for 1,893 yards and 25 touchdowns in 1997. He would follow that up with 2,124 yards and 27 touchdowns in 1998.

Bishop was part of the final Southwest Conference Championship team in 1995 and the very first Big 12 Championship team in 1996. Despite the fact that he was able to pave the way for Williams, 1997 was a forgettable season for the Longhorns as they fell to 4-7 that season and John Mackovic was replaced by Mack Brown.

In his final season with Texas, Bishop and the Longhorns rebounded with a 9-3 season in 1998. The team would fail to capture the Big 12 South Division and return to the Big 12 Title game. They would play in the Cotton Bowl and defeat Mississippi State 38-11.

Bishop would move on to the NFL but after failed attempts in the NFL and NFL Europe, he tried his luck with the XFL before it folded. Bishop would return to his alma mater in 2016 in a support staff role for Charlie Strong. It lasted only a year. Bishop is currently a Family Pastor at LifeAustin and an Associate Professor at Austin Community College.

Junior Angilau, Offensive Line (2018-Present)

In 2018, Junior Angilau redshirted his freshman season. In 2019 as a redshirt freshman, Angilau played and started 12 games at right guard between current center Derek Kerstetter and former center Zach Shackelford. Angilau should maintain his role as a starter in 2020 as they shuffle the line.

Along with Sam Cosmi, Kerstetter, Tope Imade and Denzel Okafor they should make up the starting five. Angilau is looking to keep his quarterback upright while creating holes for their three-headed rushing attack. Angilau should only improve in 2020.

Countdown to Texas Football: Best to wear No. 76

Continuing the countdown to the Texas Longhorns 2020 kickoff, we remember the best to wear number 76 for the Texas Longhorns.

Longhorns Wire is continuing the series of jersey numbers to match the days until the Texas kicks off the season. On Thursday we find ourselves remembering number 76. Currently Reese Moore wears number 76.

Jerald Grant “Jerry” Sisemore, Offensive Tackle (1970-72)

Sisemore joined the Longhorns in 1970. That year the team extended their winning streak to 30 games. That is the 12th longest win streak in NCAA history. The team finished the year unscathed until the final game of the year. The win streak started on October 5, 1968 and ended in 1970 when the Longhorns met the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Cotton Bowl. The Longhorns were coming off a consensus National Championship in 1969. Despite their lone loss, the coaches poll still named them National Champions in 1970.

Sisemore would be named Consensus All-American in 1971-72. Both seasons he would also be named All-Southwest Conference and helped Texas win the Southwest Conference all three seasons. Each year they would play in the Cotton Bowl. In his final collegiate game they defeated the number four ranked Alabama Crimson Tide.

Sisemore would go on to play in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles. He would only play in Philadelphia for the duration of his 12-year NFL career. Sisemore was the third overall selection in the 1973 NFL Draft. He would eventually play in the Super Bowl XV.

Accomplishments:

Two-time Unanimous All-American (1972-73)
Two-time All-Southwest Conference (1972-73)
1972 Co-Captain
1970’s SWC and Cotton Bowl All-Decade Team
1973 NFL Draft first round selection
12-year NFL career
Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame
Texas Hall of Honor inductee in 1980
College Football Hall of Fame inductee in 2002

Countdown to Texas Football: Best to wear No. 79

The countdown to the season continues with 79. The best to wear the number was Terry Tausch who played for Texas from 1978-81.

Longhorns Wire is continuing the series of jersey numbers to match the days until the Texas kicks off the season. On Thursday we find ourselves remembering number 79. Continue reading “Countdown to Texas Football: Best to wear No. 79”

Countdown to Texas Football: Best to wear No. 80

The countdown to Texas football continues as Longhorns Wire remembers the best to wear number 80.

Longhorns Wire is continuing the series of jersey numbers to match the days until the Texas kicks off the season. On Tuesday we find ourselves remembering number 80. Continue reading “Countdown to Texas Football: Best to wear No. 80”

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