Texas Football: Ranking 5 best 2018 Longhorns seniors

There was some level of anticipation that senior linebacker Gary Johnson could become one of the few elite players on the defensive side of the ball for Texas football this past season. Johnson had a big year in 2017 in his first after transferring from the JUCO ranks. He was the perfect linebacker to slot in for the Horns defense given the situation in Herman’s first year at the helm.

Alongside Wheeler at linebacker, Johnson was one of the most talented and formidable at his position in the Big 12. For his efforts in 2018, Johnson earned First-Team All-Big 12 honors for the first time in his collegiate career. He was also among the best candidates the Horns had to be a potential All-American.

If only Johnson had one or two more years left on the Forty Acres, he could be the very best that the Big 12 had at linebacker and an All-American honoree at some point. In a career-best 2018 campaign Johnson posted 90 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, one pass deflection, one fumble recovery, and two forced fumbles.

In 2018, Johnson was the leading tackler for the Horns and second on the team in tackles for loss and sacks. Johnson lived in the backfield of opposing offenses. Opposing running backs and quarterbacks had to be weary of where Johnson was on the field since his speed and range were so explosive.