16 Days Until Kickoff: This Might Be The Most Loaded Number Yet

[Blake Munroe]

No. 16 might be one of the deepest numbers we’ve hit in this entire countdown.

You’ve got James Street, who went 20-0 as Texas’ starting quarterback, won the 1969 national championship and became one of the most important quarterbacks in program history.

Then there’s David Thomas, who finished his career with 98 catches for 1,367 yards and 15 touchdowns, was a three-time All-Big 12 selection and helped Texas win the 2005 national championship. His senior year was absolutely ridiculous... 50 catches, 613 yards, five touchdowns and no drops all season.

Lance Gunn was a 1992 All-American and three-time All-SWC safety who finished with 298 career tackles and 10 interceptions.

Michael Taaffe turned one of the best walk-on stories in Texas history into a two-time All-American resume, a Wuerffel Trophy and 222 career tackles.

Robert Brewer went from walk-on to starting quarterback, became the 1982 Cotton Bowl MVP and helped lead the comeback win over No. 3 Alabama.

Chris Carter finished with 13 career interceptions, earned first-team All-SWC honors and helped Texas win both the final SWC championship in 1995 and the first Big 12 championship in 1996.

Jermichael Finley became one of the most productive receiving tight ends Texas has had, finishing with 76 catches for 947 yards and five touchdowns.

Then, of course, there’s Arch Manning, whose story at No. 16 is still being written. He enters 2026 after accounting for more than 3,500 total yards and 36 touchdowns last season.

And we can’t leave out Randall Clay, a 1949 All-American who led Texas in scoring twice during his career.

That's a ton of history in one number... so much that I couldn't put their pictures on the graphic today because I ran out of room.

So who is your pick?

Who is the greatest Longhorn to ever wear No. 16?

[Dawson Yarbrough]

DT is joining today, correct? Did I hear you guys say that on C&F yesterday?

[Blake Munroe]

Just now, Dawson Yarbrough said:

DT is joining today, correct? Did I hear you guys say that on C&F yesterday?

Correct! 8:45 AM

[Oldest Horn]

This makes the case for not retiring numbers. Let’s award ones to deserving upperclassmen. 

[Stevekap]

16 has the moist prolific players in UT history 20-0 as a starting QB trumps all others James Street is the 16 🐐 

[DRAG69]

5 minutes ago, Stevekap said:

16 has the moist prolific players in UT history 20-0 as a starting QB trumps all others James Street is the 16 🐐 

I totally agree.

He was a helluva a baseball player too.

[Alex Butler]

52 minutes ago, DRAG69 said:

I totally agree.

He was a helluva a baseball player too.

I agree, not to mention his son was a pretty good ball player and national champion for us too… Love me some Lance Gunn, David Thomas, Arch, and Taaffe! But until you go 20-0 as a starter Street is the goat!

[Paul Jespersen]

Street for the win, at least until Manning wins NC this year (and next 😜).

Strong #.

🤘

[.45s]

Some good ones, but James Street for me.  Longhorn Legend!! 🤘🏈⚾

[HonkEm]

1 hour ago, Stevekap said:

16 has the moist prolific players in UT history 20-0 as a starting QB trumps all others James Street is the 16 🐐 

Street’s the pick, and it’s not even a debate - the man treated losing like it was a personal insult.

He basically rolled into Austin, looked the schedule in the eye, and said, “Nope.” Twenty‑and‑oh. Who does that? That’s not a record, that’s a magic trick.

He won a national title, never took an L, and then walked off like, “Alright, y’all can handle the rest.”

Street set the bar so high NASA had to track it. 😀