Tom Campbell

Class:
Redshirt

Sport: Football (1968-69)
Position: Defensive Back
Inducted: 2006
Hometown: Austin, TX

A walk-on as a freshman, Campbell was named the Outstanding Defensive Player in the 1969 Cotton Bowl victory over Tennessee, was a key player in the National Championship season of 1969, and was selected as a consensus All-SWC defensive back that year. One of the twin sons of Longhorn defensive coach Mike Campbell, Tom finished his career with 13 interceptions, leading the SWC in this stat in 1969, and was spectacularly significant on specific plays in his two years as a starter. His two interceptions in the Tennessee game earned him the Cotton Bowl honor, but it would be two plays in the last two games of his senior season of 1969 which would alter the course of Texas football history. The first came after the Longhorns had taken a 15-14 lead over Arkansas in the Game of the Century matching the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country. As the Razorbacks drove for what could have been a game-winning score with 2:22 remaining, Campbell picked off Bill Montgomery[apos]s pass at the Longhorn 21 yard line, sealing the victory and putting Texas in the Cotton Bowl game against Notre Dame. In the Notre Dame game, Campbell preserved a 21-17 Longhorn victory with his interception of a Theismann pass as the Irish were driving to a winning touchdown in the waning moments of the game. Currently, Campbell resides in Austin and is in business for himself.