The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
What it means to be a Longhorn: Quan Cosby
08.16.2023 | Football
Cosby is one of 11 Longhorn greats selected for induction in the 2023 Class of the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor.
As told to Will Dehmel
Growing up in a small, rural Texas town, football was everything. But for me, so was track and field. I first fell in love with The University of Texas, in fact, when I competed there at the high school track and field state championship. While I wish I could say I was a lifelong Longhorn, my favorite schools were originally those that my dual athlete idols went to: Florida State because of Deion Sanders and Auburn because of Bo Jackson. Thank gosh for Ricky Williams, though, who played while I was in high school, and for the Lone Star Rivalry between Texas and A&M every Thanksgiving. Eventually I was hooked.
Despite receiving an offer and signing with Texas in 2001, I was drafted by the Angels (sixth round) to play professional baseball and decided to pursue that. While I enjoyed those years, I kept thinking of what Coach Brown had told me: my full scholarship would still stand if I wanted to come back. As my homesickness and love for football continued to grow, after four years in the Angels farm system I decided to finally make the choice to return to football and college. My adoptive father was always a big proponent of education, so he was psyched. Although I visited Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Baylor the second time around, UT was where I wanted to be and I signed with the Longhorns again in 2005.
Little problem, though. I hadn't touched a football in five years and was suddenly a 23 year old thrust against some of the best Longhorns to ever play the game. I made up for it with extra conditioning — I sure needed it — and extra reps against Aaron Ross and others. One thing I couldn't work on was my height, but I'm proud to think that Jordan Shipley and I ushered in a new era of the slot receiver alongside guys like Wes Welker and Hines Ward. Me, Shipley, and Colt McCoy — the triplets, many call us, especially as Ship and I share the same birthday — all showed that it's possible to rise from tiny towns with one stop sign to "Longhorn Legends" (their words, not mine). Having played multiple positions on our high school teams, we had experience across offense and defense. It helped that the coaches let us have our fun, often walking to the quarterbacks room and drawing up plays. The only thing I did turn down with those two was their 4:30 AM hunting trips.
My age did bring some maturity — and wisdom, I hope — to the team. Luckily, Coach Brown didn't make me live in student dorms, and instead I stayed with 18-year-old freshman Jamaal Charles that first summer. I still remember our first conversation. Jamaal told me he was a high school All-American and all that stuff. Being older, I instilled some wisdom. I was like, yes, you're a beast Jamaal, but every player we're about to play with is All-American too.
As important as football and the success our team had was to me, getting my college degree remains one of my proudest accomplishments. My oldest brother was the first to get it in my biological family, and we now have 13 or so college graduates. From a small town in Texas, a college degree isn't always the norm. I'm proud to set my family on a different path, while continuing to give back to those still struggling. Paying it forward is huge to me, and I want all the boats to rise. I'm proud to be at a university where so many alumni and former players give back, too.
Gardine (family friend), Quan, Austin, Stasia (wife) and London.
To me, being a Longhorn and wearing Burnt Orange is everything. The Texas family is right up there with my biological family and adoptive family, and that's why I'm so happy to support the team, proud of my time as the sideline reporter for games, and fortunate to now be working with President Hartzell and the folks on campus. In fact, I'm so committed to the work I do for Texas that it took my son a while to realize I had actually played back in the day until he stumbled across my highlights on YouTube. I've only ever personally pulled up and re-watched the national championship catches and the Fiesta Bowl touchdown once, but my son and buddies have made me watch it over a few more times. Those are definitely some of my greatest memories in the burnt orange and white. But, the moments I reminisce about most came off the field and the bond we had as brothers. Because of how important my immediate family and the Texas family are to me — I'm still best friends with the guys I played with — I continue to mentor any player that wants my advice. I know that, statistically, as a kid growing up in Mart, many things could have gone wrong. I want to ensure that for other guys like me, things go right.
Because when you come to UT, you're a Longhorn for Life. And, being selected for such a prestigious honor as induction into the Hall of Honor, that's definitely the icing on the cake. When you think of all the greats in all sports that have come through the Forty Acres — National Champions, Players of the Year, All-Americans, Olympians — this honor is truly humbling. It's something me and my entire family will take enormous pride in.
What does it mean to be a Longhorn? It means you are a part of something so much bigger than you. It's about tradition, history, pride and passion. I'm one of the lucky ones who had the opportunity to come to Texas, letter, graduate and change my life. I bleed orange, am so grateful for Coach Brown recruiting me and bringing me to Austin, my coaches and teammates, staff, professors, everyone. What starts here changes the world and I'm so grateful to be a part of the rich and storied legacy of The University of Texas. Hook 'Em!