We’re now 44 days away from kickoff, and today’s countdown features four Longhorn defenders who made No. 44 one of the most respected jerseys on the Forty Acres.

Jackson Jeffcoat | Defensive End (2010–13)

Jeffcoat capped one of the best defensive careers in school history with a dominant senior season in 2013. He was a Consensus All-American, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, First-Team All-Big 12 selection and captured the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s top defensive end. His 27.5 career sacks and 50.5 tackles for loss remain among the best totals in Texas history, while his 13 sacks in 2013 are tied for the fourth-most in a single season by a Longhorn.

Rashad Bobino | Linebacker (2005–08)

Bobino was a fixture in the Texas defense, starting for four seasons and finishing with 235 career tackles. A three-time All-Big 12 selection, he was also a starting linebacker on the 2005 national championship team, helping anchor one of the greatest defenses in school history.

Winfred Tubbs | Linebacker (1989–92)

Tubbs developed into one of the Southwest Conference’s top linebackers during his career. He earned First-Team All-Southwest Conference honors, served as a team captain, and was named Texas’ team MVP in 1992. He finished his career with 157 tackles, a total that ranked among the program’s best at the time.

Breckyn Hager | Defensive End/Linebacker (2015–18)

One of the emotional leaders of the late-2010s Longhorns, Hager earned Second-Team All-Big 12 honors while totaling 136 tackles, 30 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks during his career. He was also a starter on Texas’ memorable 2018 Sugar Bowl championship team that defeated Georgia.

Current No. 44s: LB Markus Boswell & K Gianni Spetic

What do you think? 🤘

Jeffcoat was great when healthy! I was super pumped when we got him! What was the story on him never even getting a shot in the NFL? Physical never checked out?

Bobino & Hager for me 

Tubbs was a stud.

I was at the 44-14 win over North Carolina in 2001. My pick for 44 will always be Cole Pittman.

Great graphic producer Matthew 

https://www.chron.com/sports/college-football/article/ut-s-pittman-dies-in-car-accident-2002693.php

Just made me sad to read Cole Pittman's name again.

1 hour ago, Texasborn91 said:

Jeffcoat was great when healthy! I was super pumped when we got him! What was the story on him never even getting a shot in the NFL? Physical never checked out?

He did get a shot but actually ended up crushing in the CFL. He had a great interview on 3rd and longhorn talking about that. 

Phew this is a tough one. I’m going with Tubbs, Bobino, then Jeffcoat. What could’ve been if Boom stayed for all 4 years with Jeffcoat. 

Jeffcoat tore an upper body muscle, IIRC.  Probably weightlifting?

3 minutes ago, MarkInAustin said:

Jeffcoat tore an upper body muscle, IIRC.  Probably weightlifting?

Pec on top of a back issue he had coming out of high school. One of the reasons he played in Canada so long is that he finally had back surgery. I talked to him after he went under the knife and said he never felt better.

Cole wins.  

Just found out my niece is best friends with our offensive line commit Jack. She's like he's huge she'll be going to a game or two with them. She asked if I wanted to go, I was like nah I'm good and the beer is expensive 😂 

Jackson Jeffcoat 🤘🏽

I’d probably move Tubbs ahead of Bobino, but Bobino’s play to divert Lendale White on 4th and 2 to force the stop in the NCG remains incredibly underrated. 

I will take all four!  

This illustrates why it is dumb to retire numbers, besides the fact that ultimately no numbers will be available when they are all retired.  

🤘🏻🤘🏼🤘🤘🏽🤘🏾🤘🏿

Jackson Jeffcoat was a great Longhorn, but this should always just be "Cole Pittman Day".🤘

10 hours ago, Jeff Howe said:

I was at the 44-14 win over North Carolina in 2001. My pick for 44 will always be Cole Pittman.

That's what I came here to say.

10 hours ago, Jeff Howe said:

Pec on top of a back issue he had coming out of high school. One of the reasons he played in Canada so long is that he finally had back surgery. I talked to him after he went under the knife and said he never felt better.

I was always curious about his pro career.  His production was excellent.  From what I recall his combine/pro day numbers were solid.

 Why did it take awhile to get the surgery?

Pittman will always be my 44. I agree with Jeff H. Bobbino is two.

Cole Pittman RIP!  Jeffcoat had a great senior year. 

Hager.

Tough; precise.