Fan Vote Results: Top 15 Longhorns of the Modern Era (1992-Present)

[Blake Munroe]

We asked OTF subscribers to rank the best Texas Longhorns of the modern era (1992-present) and the results gave us some pretty fascinating takeaways.

First and foremost, Vince Young absolutely ran away with the No. 1 spot. Vince received more than 82% of the first place vote, with only one ballot (out of hundreds) not including him in the top three spots.

His lowest ranking from anyone who voted for him? No. 4.

Ricky Williams was nearly as universal. Ricky appeared on 94.9% of ballots, and 88.1% of those voters had him inside the Top 3.

In fact, Vince and Ricky were basically the consensus top two. On 76% ballots, they occupied the No. 1 and No. 2 spots in some order.

Then things got really interesting.

Colt McCoy did not receive a single first-place vote, yet still finished comfortably at No. 3. Derrick Johnson finished fourth.

This created what looked like a pretty obvious Big Four among the fan base:

Vince, Ricky, Colt, DJ

After that, the debate really started.

Cedric Benson edged Bijan Robinson for No. 5 despite Bijan appearing on more ballots. Bijan showed up on five more ballots than Cedric did, but the fans who voted for Cedric generally ranked him higher. Bijan was the only player, outside of Vince and Ricky, in the eventual top ten to receive a first-place vote.

The tightest race came near the bottom of the Top 10, however:

Michael Huff - 226 points
Casey Hampton - 225 points
Earl Thomas - 220 points

Six total points separated three Texas legends.

Hampton actually had stronger high-end support than Huff, with 19 Top-5 votes compared to Huff’s 11, but Huff appeared on more ballots and narrowly grabbed the No. 8 spot.

When we compared the fan vote to the OTF staff composite, both groups independently produced the exact same Top 6 in the exact same order:

Vince Young, Ricky Williams, Colt McCoy, Derrick Johnson, Cedric Benson, Bijan Robinson

Ten staff voters and hundreds of fan voters somehow agreed on the top six perfectly.

That’s pretty remarkable.

Now let’s argue.... here is your Top 15, as selected by OTF Subscribers:

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[Blake Munroe]

I find it fascinating when it comes to the note on the top six. The fact that every staff member's votes lined up with what you guys (and gals) voted is amazing, imo.

[Lupton Pittman]

Earl Thomas is criminally underrated. His 2009 season was the best I've ever seen from a Texas defensive back and it's not particularly close. 

[ElUno]

Solid list. Hard to argue about any of the top 14.

Colin Simmons is amazing and maybe after this year he could make this list. But as of now that should not be the case.

Edited 1 hour ago by ElUno

[Rocky P]

I may be the only person that has Casey Hampton above DJ.  I love DJ but Casey was just an anomaly like i've never seen before.

[UTexas]

Great work on this Blake. Great job.

[Waxahorn]

Hard to argue with that list. Where did Justin Blaylock and Kasey Studdard rate?

[Blake Munroe]

10 minutes ago, ElUno said:

Solid list. Hard to argue about any of the top 14.

Colin Simmons is amazing and maybe after this year he could make this list. But as of now that should not be the case.

I was shocked he had enough to clench No. 15. There were numerous people I expected in front of him.

[HookedOnTF]

So Mt Rushmore has been decided (for the post 92 era)! Very cool.

Very happy to see DJ in there. QBs get all the love, WR/DBU the highlights, but deep down I think Texas DNA is built on RB & LB.  

Out of curiosity where did Ehlinger, Major, Priest, J Tucker, and Michael Dickson finish?  Did Gardere or Stony Clark land in top 50? Just thinking of guys who had a signature play, bowl game, or rivalry game heroes etched in our minds not necessarily best career.

[ElUno]

6 minutes ago, Blake Munroe said:

I was shocked he had enough to clench No. 15. There were numerous people I expected in front of him.

Agree. Honestly could think of about 20 or more. Recency bias from the fans.

[Diggs]

Not enough lineman imo. Collin will be eventual top 15, but he's premature on this list as it stands. Jahdae and Aaron Ross deserve more love. Ehlinger couldve made 15 and I would've respected it.

[ElUno]

I would put Aaron Ross at 15 personally