National Award Winners

Longhorns who have received college football's highest honors

	The Heisman Trophy • Earl Campbell, 1977 • Ricky Williams, 1998 In 1935, the Downtown Athletic Club established the DAC Trophy, to be awarded to the best football player from a college east of the Mississippi River. John W. Heisman, who had become the club's athletic director after a long, successful career as a college coach, died on Oct. 3, 1936. The award was then renamed the Heisman Memorial Trophy and has since been given to the nation's outstanding college player. The winner is selected by a panel made up of media representatives and all living trophy winners. Earl Campbell took home the trophy in 1977 when he was the leading vote-getter in every region except the Southwest, where Heisman runner-up Terry Miller garnered the most votes. Twenty-one years later Ricky Williams became UT's second Heisman Trophy winner as his record-setting senior season results in a landslide victory. He swept all six voting regions by significant margins while posting the greatest percentage of votes cast (43% of 920 voters) and the third-most first-place votes (714) in the award's history. Williams was fifth in the voting in 1997. Other notable Longhorns candidates include Bobby Layne who was eighth and sixth in 1946 and 1947, respectively; James Saxton who was third in 1961; Scott Appleton who was fifth in 1963 as a lineman; Tommy Nobis who was seventh in 1965; Steve Worster who was fourth in 1970; Roosevelt Leaks who was third in 1973; Vince Young who was runner-up in 2005; and Colt McCoy who was runner-up in 2008 and finished third in 2009. McCoy became the first Longhorn to finish among the Heisman’s top three vote getters twice during his career.

Butkus Award • Derrick Johnson, 2004 The award -- established in 1985 by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando -- each year is presented to the nation's best collegiate linebacker. It was only natural that DAC-Orlando chose to name the award in honor of the former Chicago Bears linebacker. In nine years in the professional ranks, Butkus gave his own definition and nuance to the term "linebacker," and his play established a role model that every man who has played the position since has attempted to emulate. Derrick Johnson became the first Longhorn to win the award in 2004 after being named a finalist in 2003.

	The Doak Walker Award • Ricky Williams, 1997 • Ricky Williams, 1998 • Cedric Benson, 2004 • D'Onta Foreman, 2016 • Bijan Robinson, 2022 The Doak Walker Award has been presented annually to the nation's premier running back for his accomplishments on the field, in the classroom and in the community. Named for Doak Walker, a former three-time All-American and 1948 Heisman Trophy winner from SMU, the award was first presented in 1990. The Doak Walker Award is presented in Dallas by the SMU Athletic Forum. Ricky Williams was the first-ever two-time Doak Walker Award winner, taking the prestigious honor in 1997 and 1998. Williams developed a friendship with the award's namesake in claiming the 1997 honor. After Walker was paralyzed in a skiing accident on January 30, 1998, just 10 days after Williams had won his first running back of the year award, the Longhorn star remained in constant contact with Walker and his wife, Skeeter, via faxes and notes. Prior to his senior season, Williams hung a photo of the former SMU star in his locker at Texas' Moncrief-Neuhaus Complex to keep Walker close to his heart. After complications from Walker's paralysis resulted in his death on September 27, 1998, Williams dedicated his season to the memory of the former NFL Hall of Famer and to reclaiming the award that bore his name. He first honored his fallen friend the week after his death (vs. Iowa State) by wearing a decal with Walker's number 37 on his helmet. Williams then shelved his number 34 to wear 37 in Walker's memory vs. Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl ("The House that Doak Built"). Texas coach Mack Brown and the team honored Walker's children and their families with the game ball and Williams presented them with his game jersey in an emotional Longhorn locker room scene following a 34-3 Texas win. Williams went on to a historic season, which included claiming the Heisman Trophy, on appropriately the 50th anniversary of Walker's Heisman Trophy season in 1948. After rushing for 203 yards and a pair of TDs in the Southwestern Bell Cotton Bowl, Williams accepted his second Doak Walker Award in an emotional ceremony on January 19, 1999 in Dallas. Cedric Benson followed Williams as Texas' second different winner in 2004 with D'Onta Foreman winning in 2016 and Bijan Robinson in 2022.

Draddy/Campbell Trophy • Dallas Griffin, 2007 • Sam Acho, 2010 Named in the honor of Vincent dePaul Draddy, who served The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame for 33 years and 19 years as Chairman of the Board, the trophy has become the most prestigious and desirable "academic" award in college football. The trophy, often referred to as the "Academic Heisman," recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership. Every year, the Awards Committee meets in late October and selects the winner. Currently, the winner of the award not only receives the stunning 24-inch, 25-pound trophy but also a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship. Center Dallas Griffin became Texas' first winner of the award, with defensive end Sam Acho becoming Texas' second recipient in 2010.

	Hendricks Award • Brian Orakpo, 2008 • Jackson Jeffcoat, 2013 The Hendricks Award began in 2002 and is presented annually to the nation's top defensive end. It is named in honor of University of Miami three-time Collegiate All-American and NFL Hall of Famer Ted Hendricks. On-field performance, leadership abilities and contributions to school and community are some of the criteria used to determine the award winner. Leading college coaches, former players and coaches, media members and pro football personnel professionals vote in the selection process. The Longhorns have two of the recipients, with Brian Orakpo becoming the school's first winner in 2008 and Jackson Jeffcoat claiming the 2013 award. There have also been three other UT finalists in the award's brief history -- Cory Redding in 2002, Tim Crowder in 2006 and Sergio Kindle in 2009.

Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award • Colt McCoy, 2009 The Golden Arm Award, presented annually to the top senior quarterback by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Foundation encapsulates all that is positive in college sports. The award acknowledges performance on the field, but also values character, citizenship, integrity and those who honor the game. Proceeds from the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Awards help to support the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation. The Foundation provides financial assistance to underprivileged and deserving young scholar-athletes throughout Maryland and Kentucky. The award was first presented in 1987, and in 2009, Colt McCoy became the first Longhorn to win it.

	The Lombardi Award • Kenneth Sims, 1981 • Tony Degrate, 1984 • Brian Orakpo, 2008 • Kelvin Banks Jr., 2024 The Lombardi Award is presented annually to college football's top lineman. Named in memory of legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi, the award represents the coach who originally gained notoriety as the smallest, yet toughest member of Fordham University's immortal "Seven Blocks of Granite" (1934-37). After his death from cancer in 1970, the Rotary Club of Houston, with the blessing of the Lombardi family, began the annual presentation of the Rotary Lombardi Award. Since then, four Longhorns – Kelvin Banks Jr. (2024), Brian Orakpo (2008), Tony Degrate (1984) and Kenneth Sims (1981) -- have earned the prestigious honor. The Longhorns have had an amazing nine other finalists for the award, including Justin Blalock in 2006, Rodrique Wright in 2005, Derrick Johnson in 2004, Cory Redding in 2002, Doug Dawson in 1983, Steve McMichael in 1979, Brad Shearer in 1977, Bill Wyman in 1973 and Jerry Sisemore in 1972.

Manning Award • Vince Young, 2005 • Colt McCoy, 2009 Prior to the 2004 college football season, the Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only college football quarterback award that takes into consideration the candidates' bowl performances; therefore, it is presented annually following the completion of the bowl season. A panel of national media covering college football selects the winner, as well as each of the Mannings. Vince Young first took home the Manning Award after the 2005 season, while Colt McCoy did so after the 2009 season.

	Maxwell Award • Tommy Nobis, 1965 • Ricky Williams, 1998 • Vince Young, 2005 • Colt McCoy, 2009 Honoring the nation's outstanding college football player, the Maxwell Award was first presented in 1937 by the Maxwell Memorial Football Club of Philadelphia. The annual award is named after Robert "Tiny" Maxwell, a Philadelphia native who played at the University of Chicago as a lineman near the turn of the century. The four Longhorns to earn the yearly award are Tommy Nobis (1965), Ricky Williams (1998), Vince Young (2005) and Colt McCoy (2009).

Nagurski Trophy • Derrick Johnson, 2004 • Brian Orakpo, 2008 Created in 1993 by the Football Writers Association of America, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy is awarded to the best defensive player in college football and is presented by the Charlotte Touchdown Club. The award is in memory of the legendary Nagurski, a former All-America lineman at Minnesota in 1927-29 and a star for professional football's Chicago Bears in the 1930s. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy Awards Banquet not only recognizes the best college defensive player, but also helps to raise money to recognize the recipients of our regional high school and college scholarships. Derrick Johnson became the first Longhorn to win the award in 2004, followed by Brian Orakpo in 2008.


Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award • Earl Campbell, 1977 • Vince Young, 2005 • Colt McCoy, 2009 The annual award was first presented in 1977 as the O'Brien Memorial Trophy to the outstanding player in the Southwest. Earl Campbell was the O'Brien honoree in the award's inaugural season. In 1981, the Davey O'Brien Educational and Charitable Trust of Fort Worth, Texas, renamed the award the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, and it now honors the nation's best quarterback, which Vince Young was named in 2005, followed by Colt McCoy in 2009.

	The Outland Trophy • Scott Appleton, 1963 • Tommy Nobis, 1965 • Brad Shearer, 1977 • T'Vondre Sweat, 2023 • Kelvin Banks Jr., 2024 Honoring the outstanding interior lineman in the nation, The Outland Trophy is presented annually by the Football Writers Association of America. Originally awarded in 1946, the trophy is named for its benefactor, Dr. John H. Outland. Five Longhorns have been awarded the Outland Trophy: Scott Appleton in 1963, Tommy Nobis in 1965, Brad Shearer in 1977, T'Vondre Sweat in 2023 and Kelvin Banks Jr. in 2024.

Jim Thorpe Award • Michael Huff, 2005 • Aaron Ross, 2006 • Jahdae Barron, 2024 The Jim Thorpe Award for the best defensive back in college football was created in 1986. It was conceived by former Oklahoma City talk show host Ed Sossen and W. Lynne Draper, the Jim Thorpe Association executive director, as a way to do something positive to promote Oklahoma. The award was immediately accepted as one of the nation's top collegiate sports honors. Winners are judged on their performance on the field, athletic ability and character. Michael Huff became UT's first winner in 2005 and Aaron Ross followed him in 2006 for back-to-back winners. Jahdae Barron became the third Longhorn to earn the award in 2024.

	The Walter Camp Football Foundation Player of the Year • Ricky Williams, 1998 • Colt McCoy, 2008 • Colt McCoy, 2009 The Walter Camp Football Foundation Player of the Year trophy is awarded to the nation's top player who has exemplified the qualities of self-discipline, unselfish team play, desire to excel, mature judgment and respected leadership. Presented annually since 1967 in New Haven, Conn., the trophy honors Walter Camp, who is recognized as "the Father of American Football." Camp stands first among the men who sired the game of football as it is played in the United States -- the game that evolved from the rugby football of England. One of the oldest and most respected All-America teams, the WCFF has annually honored college football's outstanding players dating back to 1889. Ricky Williams won the award in 1998, and Colt McCoy became just the third player in the award's history to be a two-time winner.

AT&T/ABC Sports National Player of the Year • Cedric Benson, 2004 • Vince Young, 2005 • Colt McCoy, 2009 The AT&T/ABC Sports National Player of the Year is selected annually by purely a fan vote. It began in 2004 when Cedric Benson was named the award's first winner. Vince Young followed Benson in 2005, then Colt McCoy won in 2009, giving the Longhorns three of the seven all-time winners.

	Ray Guy Award • Michael Dickson, 2017 The Ray Guy Award is presented annually to college football's most outstanding punter as adjudged by the Augusta Sports Council. The award is named after punter Ray Guy, an All-American for Southern Mississippi and an All-Pro in the National Football League for the Oakland Raiders. Texas’ Michael Dickson became the first Longhorn to win the award back in 2017.
	Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year • Sam Ehlinger, 2020 The Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award is the first college football honor to focus primarily on a player's leadership, both on and off the field. Leadership is a term synonymous with Witten, who, in addition to becoming one of the best tight ends in the history of the sport and the Cowboys' all-time leading receiver, has served as one of football's most prominent role models during his 17-year pro career.

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