Texas Football: Ranking 5 best Longhorns since 2000

A lot of the best defensive Texas football players since the turn of the century only spent three years with the program. Could that be what’s in store for a current young Texas star like rising sophomore safety Caden Sterns? That’s what happened with former Texas All-American safety Earl Thomas.

Although, that’s not what happened with former Texas linebacker Derrick Johnson. 

Johnson was a top talent that the Longhorns ever had on campus at linebacker. He was a very well-rounded linebacker that could both wreak havoc in the backfield and draw turnovers in bunches. He drew nine interceptions during his career with the Longhorns and returned one for a touchdown.

The amount of honors that Johnson racked up in his final two seasons with Texas is mind boggling. He was a consensus All-American in 2003 and 2004. In 2004, he also won the Nagurski Award, Butkus Award, and the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.

The tackle numbers are what shakes football fans the most. He had nearly 70 tackles for loss in his four seasons and more than 450 total tackles. Even the pass rushing ability would standout for Johnson at times since he racked up 10.5 for his career. Johnson set the tone for the Longhorns linebacking corps for a long time.