As we continue to move further away from the recent past into discussion of Longhorn players and teams that many of us never saw play, some background information is instructive. Instead of just listing players' names and All American years, I'll be including the position played, as well as the relevant statistical information to help guide your evaluations.
-Players listed in alphabetical order.
-An asterisk indicates consensus first team All American.
1963* Scott Appleton, OT (All-SWC in 1962 and '63, Appleton was UT's first Outland Trophy winner. Finished fifth in the 1963 Heisman ballotting and was a first round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 1964.)
1963 Tommy Ford, RB (All-SWC in 1962 and '63, UT went 30-2-1 during Ford's three seasons. Finished with 1,571 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns for his career.)
1968* Chris Gilbert, RB (All-SWC from 1966-68, Gilbert finished eighth in the 1968 Heisman voting. Led UT in rushing from 1966-68 and scoring in 1967-68. Was the team MVP for three consecutive seasons. First Longhorn to rush for 2,000 and then 3,000 yards in his career. Named to All-Southwest team for era 1919-1969 by Football Writers Association of America.)
1969* Glen Halsell, LB (All conference in both 1968 and 1969, Halsell was a consensus first team All American in 1969.)
1969* Bob McKay, OT (Helped lead UT to 20-1-1 record during his two seasons, McKay was one of the most decorated linemen of his era.)
1964, 1965* Tommy Nobis G/LB (Only sophomore starter on 1963 national championship team. Team MVP in 1964 and 1965. Won Outland trophy in 1965 and finished seventh in Heisman ballotting. Would become UT's first #1 overall NFL Draft pick - Atlanta Falcons, 1966 - and won rookie of the year.)
1967 Corby Robertson, DE/LB (All-SWC defensive end in 1966, then All American LB in '67. Very good player, but not Top 40.)
1961* James Saxton, RB/DB (Led UT in interceptions, rushing, receiving and all-purpose yards in 1960, and rushing, all-purpose yards, touchdowns and total offense in 1961. Averaged 7.9 yards per carry in 1961, best in the conference. Finished third in 1961 Heisman ballotting.)
1969, 1970 Cotton Speyrer, WR (Led UT to national championships in 1969 and 1970 and SWC titles from 1968-70. Led team in receiving in 1968 and 1969, and had 161 yards receiving and two touchdowns in 21-17 win vs. Notre Dame in 1969 national championship game. Averaged 15.4 yards per catch in 1969.)
James Street, QB (Accidentally left off the original list, Street is a no-doubter for discussion here. Led Texas to 1968 and 1969 SWC championships and 1969 national title. Was named Houston Post SWC MVP Trophy winner for offense in 1969.)
1969, 1970* Steve Worster, FB (2,353 career rushing yards with 36 touchdowns. All-SWC from 1968-70, he finished foruth in the 1970 Heisman ballotting. 20 carries for 155 yards in the 1970 Cotton Bowl.)
1969, 1970* Bob Wuensch, OT (All-SWC in 1969 and 1970, All-American in 1969 and consensus All-American in 1970, and co-captain of UT’s 1970 national championship team. Named to Cotton Bowl and SWC All-Decade teams of 1970s, UT was 30-2-1 when Wuensch was in the starting lineup.)
And those are your 1960s Longhorn stars. Note that I did leave off Don Talbert and Johnny Treadwell, both of whom earned All American honors, but neither of whom have much of a case for Top 40 Longhorns.
Your thoughts on this group?
--PB--