The 2014 Texas Football senior class leaves behind a legacy. Collectively, they bought into a vision, and working with head coach Charlie Strong and his staff, they carried it out.

They did so with on-field effort, commitment to the community and success in the classroom. By the time Texas took the field for the bowl game, 22 players had already earned their degrees, 45 were named to the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll (3.0 GPA) for the fall semester, and the team's cumulative GPA entering the spring semester is at the program's all-time high (2.76).

"The seniors did a great job," Strong said. "Despite everything they went through, all of the adversity, they were a group that really came together. They set the tone for the future, got us headed in the right direction and really did a great job representing the program on and off the field."

Quandre Diggs , a starter for Texas since his freshman days, was a motivator and provided inspiration as a vocal team leader.

"You'll never get these times back, so I always tried to cherish every moment," Diggs said. "It was a great opportunity to work with this staff, help these young guys and be a part of something that's going to be really special. I love all of those guys. We went through a lot together and made some great memories.

"Coach Strong has been a tremendous opportunity and a tremendous blessing. That guy came into our lives and turned a lot of things around. We admire him."

Their respect for Strong is seen in not only their manner with him during games, but also in celebrated public and private moments. After their home win against West Virginia, the players lifted Strong in the air, and fans were able to capture a glimpse of the personal relationship shared between him and his team. He takes the time to relate to each player, and all of the seniors have come to respect him and his total program.

The combination of Strong, his coaching staff and the seniors -- as leaders of the team -- created a confident atmosphere flowing through the locker room. They took the necessary steps to changing the mindset of the players as they ran through the tunnel and onto the field for each game last season.

With the 2015 season on the horizon, there is a newly revived expectation for Texas Football. The seniors have laid the groundwork for success through their commitment to team.