| Russell Gaskamp |
|
|
Center
6-4 · 305
Weatherford, Okla. (Weatherford)
#54
One year starter, two-year letterman who worked both at center and guard for much of his career ... was forced to miss the entire 1997 season due to a back injury ... saw action in 31 career games including three bowl games (1995 Sugar Bowl; 1997 Fiesta Bowl; 1999 Cotton Bowl) ... member of two conference championship teams (1995 SWC; 1996 Big 12) ... won the 1998 UT Joseph W. Moore Award for Tenacity ... shared 1998 UT Outstanding Lineman honors ... helped Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams lead the nation in rushing in 1998 ... paved the way for UT to rank among the nation's top 25 and average at least 200 yards rushing per game in 1996-98.
SENIOR (1998)
Started all 12 games at center, including the 1999 Cotton Bowl ... voted UT Outstanding Offensive Lineman ... provided openings for Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams to lead the nation in rushing for the second consecutive year ... helped UT finish the season ranked 15th nationally and average more than 200 yards per game for the third year in a row ... was a key component of an offensive line that helped produce 2,246 yards rushing and 2,931 yards passing.
JUNIOR (1997)
Opened his junior season as the Longhorns' top backup at both center and guard, but was sidelined for the entire year due to a preseason back injury.
SOPHOMORE (1996)
Played in five games on the offensive line, seeing action at both center and guard ... saw action in all 13 contests as guard on special teams ... earned his first letter.
REDSHIRT FRESHMAN (1995)
Played in six games, seeing action at both center and guard as a redshirt freshman ... redshirted 1994.
HIGH SCHOOL
Was coached by Larry Pickens at Weatherford High ... was one of the nation's top-rated center prospects ... earned second-team All-American honors from USA Today as a senior ... also was named first-team all-state that year ... helped Weatherford High to back-to-back Oklahoma state championships as a sophomore and junior ... also lettered three times in track and field and as a heavyweight wrestler.
PERSONAL
Born 1/2/76 in Fort Worth, TX ... majored in business management ... full name is Russell Louis Gaskamp ... was a member of the Athletic Director's Honor Roll and the SWC Commissioner's List in the fall of 1994 and 1995 and the spring of 1995 ... ranked among the top 10 percent of his high school senior class.
