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.