22 Days Until Kickoff: The Number Is Retired For A Reason

[Blake Munroe]

Today’s countdown takes us to No. 22 and this one starts with one of the true legends in Texas Football history.

Bobby Layne is the headliner here for obvious reasons. A two-time consensus All-American, College Football Hall of Famer, Pro Football Hall of Famer and one of the most important players to ever come through Austin. He threw for 3,145 yards and 25 touchdowns at Texas, went 28-6 as a starting quarterback, helped lead the Longhorns to the 1945 SWC title and eventually had his No. 22 retired by the university.

Behind Layne, Selvin Young gave the number a strong modern-era representative. Young finished his Texas career with 1,713 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns, averaged 4.7 yards per carry, scored three return touchdowns and was part of the 2005 national championship team.

Billy Dale rounds out the group from the Darrell Royal era. Dale was part of back-to-back national championship teams and scored the game-winning touchdown against Notre Dame in the 1970 Cotton Bowl, one of the biggest plays of that championship run.

[Alex Butler]

Bobby Layne then Selvin!!

[DRAG69]

Billy Dale scored the winning TD against Norte Dame to clinch the 1969 National Championship.

I was sitting on the ten yard line about 15 rows up so it was right in front of me as was the huge diving fourth down catch by Cotton Speyer before the score.

Don’t forget Jim Hudson either.

1963 National Champion and 1969 Super Bowl Champion for the Jets.