3. 1998
Ricky Williams wins the Heisman Trophy
Williams was the second-ever running back in the Longhorns' history for the program to win the Heisman Trophy in 1998. He also claimed the Maxwell Award and Doak Walker, staking his argument as one of the best running backs in college football in the 1990s decade.
The Consensus First-Team AP All-American Williams dominated the Longhorns' carry workload out of the backfield in 1998. He led the nation in rushing yards (2,124), rushing attempts (361), rushing touchdowns (27), and led the Big 12 yards per carry (5.9).
Williams was the eighth running back ever in college football history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season.
While first-year head coach Mack Brown was trying to set the foundation for what would become one of the most dominant programs in the 2000s decade in college football, the Longhorns were witnessing history with Williams lighting up opposing defenses as the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year for the 1998 season.
He was the first player in program history to rush for back-to-back games of 300+ yards. He rushed for over 300 yards on 30 carries to help Texas improve to 2-2 in late September with a 59-21 win over the Rice Owls. Williams and the Longhorns scored 50+ points in a Big 12 win over the Iowa State Cyclones, where the Heisman-winning back scampered for over 300 yards on the ground and multiple touchdowns.
By the fifth game of the regular season, Williams had already reached the 1,000-yard mark for rushing in 1998.
Williams helped the Longhorns end a 40+ game home winning streak for the No. 7 ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers, rushing for over 150 yards in a 20-16 upset in Lincoln.