By Darin James Saxton cuts through opposing defenses with a blinding speed that completely revolutionized the Texas backfield. Renowned by Longhorn faithful as the “Rabbit,” Saxton transformed Coach Darrell Royal’s offense into an explosive, big-play machine. From his jaw-dropping yards-per-carry records to his top-three Heisman finish, he dictated the tempo of early 1960s gridiron history. Step inside the legendary career of the elusive runner who shattered expectations, secured an iconic Cotton Bowl victory, and danced his way into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Courtesy of Sports Illustrated November 27, 1961 (Fair use) via Wikimedia Commons.
Football Bio
May 21, 1940 – Bryan, Texas – James Saxton Jr., the great University of Texas halfback from 1959 to 1961, arrived via stork delivery.
The National Football Foundation states that Saxton was one of the quickest players in college football history. Longhorn’s Coach Darrell Royal envisioned James, who was also referred to as the “Rabbit,” as a running quarterback but moved him to running back in 1960.
Saxton would go on to lead the team in rushing that season with 407 yards and an average of 5.4 yards per carry. Saxton thrived in the running back role, and by the time his senior season rolled around, he had tallied up nine touchdowns and was leading the high-scoring Longhorn attack with runs of 80, 79, 66, 56, 49, and 45 yards. A unanimous selection that year, he became the first running back in Longhorn history to become an All-American and finished third in the voting for the Heisman Trophy, trailing only Hall of Famers Ernie Davis (Syracuse) and Bob Ferguson (Ohio State).
Oh, and the way he completed his college career! It ended with a 12-7 victory over Ole Miss in the 1962 Cotton Bowl Classic, as the pivotal play of the contest may have been a record-setting 73-yard quick kick from Saxton to ice it. James Saxton Jr. was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996, following the National Football Foundation’s vote.
James was chosen as the 146th pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in the NFL’s 1962 Draft and the 75th pick of the Dallas Texans of the AFL. He signed with Dallas, but after one season, he decided to enter the banking business.
Conclusion
James Saxton leaves a historic legacy of dynamic speed and clutch execution at the University of Texas. He validates Darrell Royal’s offensive vision, unlocking a standard of big-play threat that few modern backs can match. By setting conference benchmarks for efficiency and guiding the Longhorns to marquee bowl victories, Saxton cemented his status as a legendary figure in Austin. He remains an enduring model of the classic student-athlete, transitioning seamlessly from his status as a 1996 Hall of Fame inductee to a prominent career as a Texas banking executive.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1996.
- Unanimous First-Team All-American: 1961 (The first running back in program history to earn the distinction).
- Heisman Trophy Finalist: Finished 3rd in the 1961 voting.
- 2× First-Team All-Southwest Conference (SWC): 1960, 1961.
- Houston Post SWC Offensive MVP: 1961.
- SWC Record Holder: Averaged an astonishing 7.9 yards per carry during the 1961 season.
- Cotton Bowl Classic Champion: Guided UT to a 12-7 victory over Ole Miss in the 1962 game, executing a record 73-yard quick kick.
- 2× Southwest Conference Champion: 1959, 1961.
- AFL Champion: Won the 1962 AFL title with the Dallas Texans.
- Texas Longhorn Hall of Honor: Inducted in 1973.
- Texas Sports Writers Association Amateur Athlete of the Year: 1961.