Texas' Top 10 Athletes

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Aug 8, 2007

Texas' Top 10 Athletes

Kevin Durant

He was in Austin for only one year, but what a year it was. Durant averaged 26 points and 11 rebounds (29/13 in Big 12 play) and won numerous accolades including NABC Division I Player of the Year, Naismith Player of the Year, and the John R. Wooden Award. He is also the only freshman in NCAA history to be named the AP National Player of the Year.

Clarissa Davis

Davis made an immediate impact by leading undefeated Texas (34-0) to the 1986 NCAA Championship where she was named Most Outstanding Player. She won the Naismith National Player of the Year twice (1987, 1989) and led the Longhorns to the Final Eight twice (1988, 1989).

Tommy Nobis

During his three years in Austin (1967-69), Nobis built a reputation as one of the greatest linebackers in college football history, though he also played offensive guard. He was a two-time All-American and three-time member of the All-Southwest Conference team and helped lead the Longhorns to the 1963 national championship.

Ben Crenshaw

An Austin native, Crenshaw attended Austin High School before enrolling at Texas. As a Longhorn, he was often referred to as the next Jack Nicklaus and he won the NCAA Championship in 1971, 1972 (co-champion with Tom Kite) and 1973.

Huston Street

Street earned All-American honors during all three of his seasons at Texas and led the Longhorns to three appearances in the College World Series. As a freshman in 2002, he set a CWS record for the most saves (four) and was named the Most Valuable Player as the Longhorns won the national championship. Street, whose father James quarterbacked Texas to the 1969 national title, went a combined 18-3 with 41 saves and a 1.31 ERA in 105 career appearances.

Vince Young

Many consider Young to be the most athletic quarterback in college football history. His 6,040 career passing yards, 3,127 rushing yards and 81 career TDs help bolster that point. Young, who played three seasons for the Longhorns, put forth one of the greatest individual performances in NCAA history in the 2005 national championship game against undefeated USC when he gained over 450 total yards and scored the game-winning touchdown while leading the Longhorns to victory.

Cat Osterman

One of the greatest pitchers in NCAA history, Osterman struck out a mind-boggling 2,265 batters during her four year career (second all-time), and threw 20 no-hitters and 10 perfect games. She also set Big 12 records of 25 Pitcher of the Week and four Pitcher of the Year awards.

Ricky Williams

During his four years in Austin, Williams set NCAA career records for rushing yards (6,279), rushing touchdowns (73), and points (452). In 1998, he became the second Longhorn to win the Heisman Trophy (joining Earl Campbell).

Earl Campbell

Campbell is remembered as much for his style on the field as his grace and commitment to academics off of it. As a freshman in 1974, he ran for 928 yards and received the SWC Newcomer of the Year Award. He gained over 1,000 yards as a sophomore, but was slowed by a hamstring injury during his junior season. He came back strong as a senior, rushing for 1,744 yards and winning the Heisman Trophy.

Roger Clemens

The Rocket landed in Austin in 1982 and in two seasons with the Longhorns compiled a 25-7 record with a 2.62 ERA. He was twice named an All-American and led UT to the 1983 national championship. He became the first Texas baseball player to have his number retired and in 2004, the NCAA started handing out the Roger Clemens Award to honor the nation's best pitcher.