Longhorn Legends Face-off: Gridiron Greats- Final Round
The list of Longhorn Legends reads longer than a Lord of the Rings novel, but who is the ultimate Texas Longhorns ambassador? That's what Horns Illustrated aims to determine in our Longhorn Legends Face-off and the answer lies in your hands.
After a furious series of battles, Vince Young faces Earl Campbell for the rights to a spot in the Longhorn Legends Face-off's Final Four. VY dominated Ricky Williams in the semi-finals, garnering 81% of the vote, while The Tyler Rose pummeled Colt McCoy with 68% of the vote. This is a match-up for the ages, and there's truly no wrong choice. Only one can win and it's time for you to decide who the greatest Texas football player is.
Vince Young
it is impossible to name a single Texas football player who was as electric as Vince Young. VY could kill you with his effortless deep passes and was impossible to stop as a scrambling quarterback. With Young under center, the Longhorns were never truly out of a game, no matter what the deficit was. After beating Michigan in the 2005 Rose Bowl, Young guaranteed to a return to Pasadena and he more than delivered on the promise. In 2005, Young was honored with the Manning, Maxwell, and Davey O'Brien awards. He was also named as the AT&T/ABC Sports National Player of the Year and a consensus All-American. But his greatest effort, and the moment that will forever define his legacy as a Longhorn Legend, came in his come-from-behind national championship win over the insanely hyped USC Trojans. In the 41-38 victory, Vince Young accounted for 467 yards of total offense (200 rushing, 267 passing) and three rushing touchdowns (including a 9-yard TD scramble on 4th down with 19 seconds left). There are Texas quarterbacks who will hold records over Young, but he is without a doubt the player you would want as your quarterback with the game on the line. There is and will only ever be one player like Vince Young at the University of Texas.
Earl Campbell
If you close your eyes and reflect on the rich history of Texas football, it's a safe bet that Earl Campbell immediately comes to mind. The running back branded the sport of college football from the moment he stepped onto the field, crushing defenses with his blend of brutality and nimbleness. No defender wanted to step in his path of the "Tyler Rose." Campbell would finish his career as UT's all-time rushing yardage (4,443) and touchdown (41) leader, and the school's first Heisman Trophy winner. In his senior year, Campbell rushed for SWC single-season record 1,744 yards and 19 touchdowns, where he hit the hundred-yard mark in 10 games.
