87 Days Until Kickoff: Who Was The Best No. 87?

[Blake Munroe]

We are 87 days away from Texas football, so today’s countdown looks at the best Longhorns to wear No. 87.

Pete Lammons is probably the strongest name in the group. Lammons helped Texas win the 1963 national championship, then led the Longhorns in receptions in both 1964 and 1965. He finished his Texas career with 47 catches for 706 yards and 5 touchdowns, earned consensus All-Southwest Conference honors in 1965 and later won Super Bowl III with Joe Namath and the New York Jets.

Lawrence Sampleton is absolutely in the conversation as well. Sampleton finished his Texas career with 57 catches for 1,071 yards and 7 touchdowns, was an All-SWC tight end in 1979 and became a second-round NFL Draft pick in 1982.

Then there’s Kyle Shanahan, who makes the list more for the “wait, he wore No. 87 at Texas?” factor. His playing career in Austin was modest (14 catches for 127 yards) but he obviously went on to become one of the top offensive minds in football and the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.

The current No. 87 for Texas is tight end Will Randle.

[Blake Munroe]

"Great graphic producer Matthew"

There @Joe Zura. Saved you the effort.

[Joe Zura]

1 minute ago, Blake Munroe said:

"Great graphic producer Matthew"

There @Joe Zura. Saved you the effort.

[Alex Butler]

2 minutes ago, Blake Munroe said:

"Great graphic producer Matthew"

There @Joe Zura. Saved you the effort.

You’re muted @Blake Munroe 😜. Seriously, from an infield performance probably Lammons or sampleton. Overall, easily Shanahan. 

[PaulieD]

Lawrence Sampleton.

[Burnt Orange Horn]

Pete Lammons from an era when TE were more for blocking!  First Texas Natty team!

🤘🏻🤘🏼🤘🤘🏽🤘🏾🤘🏿

[Humblest]

Lawrence Sampleton is the #1 #87 for me also.  After retiring, he worked with my mother on a project for a school while I was in high school.  Lawrence came over to our house and hung out around our kitchen counter.  He was very kind and impressive.  He laughed about playing for Dick Vermeil with the Eagles.  The first few times Vermeil cried during a motivational speech to the team, Lawrence was really inspired.  After a few of those speeches, the players would roll their eyes, thinking "here we go again."