It's time for Texas to retire Derrick Johnson's number

Recently the question was posed, which former Texas player do you wish could be added to the current Texas roster? The lone caveat, the player can’t have their number retired by the school. After sitting in Darrel K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium countless times and seeing those retired numbers and associated names, I still did a quick search to make sure I wasn’t forgetting someone. 

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Despite the long and often great history of the program, there are only six numbers that have been retired. Here they are along with the players who put them on the shelf forever.

Earl Campbell, No. 20

Retired: November 24, 1979

Ricky Williams, No. 34

Retired: September 30, 2000

Vince Young, No. 10

Retired: August 30, 2008

Tommy Nobis, No. 60

Retired: September 13, 2008

Bobby Layne, No. 22

Retired: September 13, 2008

Colt McCoy, No. 12

Retired: October 30, 2010

To me, one name and number is curious by its absence. After all, what more could linebacker Derrick Johnson have done in his time in Austin? No. 11 was great upon arrival, becoming the Sporting News’ National Freshman of the Year. As a sophomore he was a Butkus Award semifinalist, the award given to the nation’s top linebacker. As a junior he was a finalist, before winning it as a senior. That senior year, which oftentimes wouldn’t occur as a player of his caliber could justifiably leave early for the NFL, saw a parade of awards and accolades, including the Nagurski Trophy which goes to the nation’s top defender. Returning for his senior season said a lot about him and his love for the school.

His range, in combination with his nose for the ball, saw him making plays all over the field, against the run and pass alike. This shows in his career statistics. 

No. 1 career tackles for loss (65)

No. 1 forced fumbles in a season (9)

No. 3 all time tackles (458)

No. 3 all time career interception return yards (195)

No. 1 linebacker all time career interceptions (9)

Those forced fumbles occurred in his senior year where it was clear he was playing on an entirely different level. As Johnson would tackle the ball carrier with one arm, he would punch the ball loose with the other. It was almost surprising when he didn’t force a fumble.

With 10.5 100-meter speed out of high school, the Waco native had enduring ability. Even if the linebacker position gets whittled down further to one on the field at a time, he would be the one with his uncommon combination of size and speed. It will be a long time before someone watches his film and wonders if he could play in the current era.

Johnson was much more than just a productive player, he was an athletic and play-making force who showed up in big games. From TexasSports.com, “in 18 career games against Top 25 opponents, posted 175 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 31 TFLs, four interceptions, nine PBUs, 19 pressures, three caused fumbles and a fumble recovery.”

Who could forget his freshmen performance in the 2001 Holiday Bowl against the Washington Huskies? That wild comeback win likely doesn’t occur without his defensive MVP performance that included an interception that led to UT taking the lead after trailing by as much as 19 points.

Fast forward to 2004 and his last regular season game. Against Texas A&M, after some initial trepidation, the school hero chose to wear Tommy Nobis’ famed No. 60. As he always did, Johnson lived up to the moment with 10 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 pass breakups and a blocked extra point in UT’s 26-13 win over the No. 22 Aggies.

Retiring a number is about more than real-time impact, it’s also about a player’s lasting legacy. Johnson had the misfortune to graduate the year before the 2005 National Championship team, but he, along with Cedric Benson, helped put Texas in position for that magical run with its win over Michigan in a very closely contested Rose Bowl. The drama in that game would foreshadow Texas’ classic win over USC a year and three days later.

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On top of his time at Texas, Johnson has always been a good citizen who eagerly participates in charities. It also doesn’t hurt that he had a very good NFL career with Kansas City, finishing his career as the Chiefs’ all time leading tackler.

Texas brass has had a lot on its plate for years now, but when things slow down, I hope they consider giving Nobis some help on the defensive side of the ball and retire No. 11 forever.