The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Hall of Honor
- Induction:
- 2017
Sport: Football (2000-03)
Inducted: 2017
One of the most dynamic players in UT history, Nathan Vasher worked at both cornerback and safety, as well as returning punts and, at times, kick- offs during his career. He registered a UT season-record 26 pass breakups, 43 tackles, six interceptions (T7th on the UT single-season list) and five tackles for loss as a senior. Vasher earned first-team All-Big 12 honors, third-team All-America (Associated Press) recognition and a spot among the Jim Thorpe Award semifinalists that year. One of his most notable achievements, Vasher matched the longest-standing UT record of 17 career interceptions, equaling a mark set by Noble Doss in 1941 that had stood alone for 62 years. He also eclipsed the Big 12 and UT marks with 64 career PBUs. In 49 career games (39 starts), Vasher posted 155 tackles, 14 TFL and two sacks. Playing strong safety as a sophomore in 2001, he matched the then-UT season record with seven interceptions, which currently ranks second. As a punt returner, Vasher was one of the most explosive in Texas history. He averaged 14.0 yards (No. 2 in UT history) on 94 career returns for a UT-record 1,314 career yards. He also tied a then-UT record with two career punt returns for touchdowns. During his time at Texas, the Longhorns posted a 41-10 record with two 11-win seasons, including the 2001 Holiday Bowl win over Washington and the 2002 Cotton Bowl win over LSU. Vasher went on to be a fourth-round draft pick by the Chicago Bears in the 2004 NFL Draft. He spent six seasons in Chicago, playing in the 2005 Pro Bowl – following a season in which he recorded a NFC- leading eight interceptions – and the 2006 Super Bowl. He concluded his career in 2010 with the Detroit Lions. A native of Texarkana, Texas, Vasher was a first-team all-state selection at Texarkana High School. He returned to UT after his NFL career, worked as a student assistant coach and earned his bachelor's degree in applied learning and development in the spring of 2014. He currently is a member of the coaching staff at Trinity International University (Deerfield, Illinois), working with cornerbacks.
