The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Hall of Honor
- Induction:
- 2026
An All-Southwest Conference honoree, Lawrence Sampleton ranks among the UT career leaders in all major receiving categories by a tight end despite playing in an era dominated by the running game. He currently ranks fourth among tight ends in career receiving yards (1,071), sixth in touchdown receptions (seven) and eighth in receptions (57), all of which were UT records by the end of his 36-game career. Finishing in the top three in receiving at Texas in each of his four seasons, he helped the Longhorns amass 35 wins (35-12-1) in that span. That included three nine-win seasons and three top-12 final rankings (two top-10). Those were capped with a No. 2 final ranking, a 10-1-1 record, and a win over No. 3 Alabama in the Cotton Bowl in his senior year of 1981. That season, Sampleton caught 13 passes for 179 yards (13.8 yards per reception) and two touchdowns. His best statistical season came as a junior when he led the team with three receiving touchdowns, while ranking second in both receptions (20) and receiving yards (381) with an average of 19.1 yards per catch. As a sophomore, he earned All-SWC honors, posting 16 receptions for 315 yards (19.7 yards per reception). In 1978, he became the first UT freshman to record a 100-yard receiving game when he pulled in four passes for 108 yards (27.0 yards per reception) against Arkansas. It was one of only five posted by a freshman prior to 2000. Following his Texas career, he played in the 1982 East-West Shrine Bowl as well as the Olympia Gold Bowl before being selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round (No. 47 overall) of the 1982 NFL Draft. He played four NFL seasons, including three with the Eagles (1982-84), and after battling injuries, he returned for a season with the Miami Dolphins in 1987. After his NFL career, he returned to college and graduated from St. Edwards University with a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management in 1990. A native of Seguin, Texas, Sampleton attended Seguin High School and was a prep All-American in both football and basketball. He was inducted into the Seguin Independent School District Hall of Fame in 1995. Sampleton is entering his 38th year at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, where he’s served in a wide range of roles — from coaching girls basketball, track, and football, while also serving as a dorm parent, residential administrator, advisor, and currently as Associate Head of School for Enrollment Management — since 1991. He is a former Board Chair of the Enrollment Management Association (EMA) and currently serves on the boards of the National Association of Episcopal Schools and The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS). In 2025, he was presented with the EMA’s William B. Bretnall Award that is given annually to educational leaders who have made significant contributions to the admission field. Sampleton is also a member of The University of Texas College of Liberal Arts Advisory Council and the UT Development Board. He and his wife, Libbi, often attend Longhorn sporting events, and they have two children, Evan and Maya.