Michael Huff

Regarded by many as the hardest-hitting tackler of any secondary player in college football, Huff has drawn comparisons to Hall of Fame member Ronnie Lott for his ability as a playmaker to change the tide of a game. The versatile, athletic and speedy fifth-year defensive back became the first player in school history to win the Thorpe Award. Blessed with outstanding range and tremendous instincts, Huff has the ability to play any position in the secondary, having started 50 of 51 games during his career. Versatility is nothing new for Huff, who excelled as a safety, cornerback and wide receiver during his three-year career at Nimitz High School. He recorded 238 tackles and returned three of his nine interceptions for scores during his final two seasons. Huff posted 127 tackles and five interceptions (two returned for scores) as a senior. He registered a career-high 18 tackles and an interception against South Grand Prairie High and also scored on a 69-yard run and a 40-yard catch in that contest. Huff collected 111 tackles and four interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) as a junior. He had 12 receptions for 220 yards as a sophomore receiver. Huff was also a four-year letterman in track. He finished seventh in the 100 meters (10.46 seconds) at the 2000 USATF Junior Nationals. Huff redshirted in 2001 at Texas, but made a big impact in 2002 as the Longhorns ranked eighth in the nation in pass defense. The Freshman All-American third-team pick started every game, lining up at strong safety in ten contests and at field cornerback in three others. He recorded 70 tackles (43 solos) while his ten stops behind the line of scrimmage was the fifth-best season total by a Texas freshman (four ahead of him were all defensive linemen). He also had two interceptions and ten pass deflections. Huff opened the 2003 season as a reserve before returning to the starting lineup in the second game. He continued to see action at cornerback while lining up mostly at strong safety. Huff totaled 66 tackles (45 solos) with four stops for losses. He blocked two kicks, batted away six passes and also intercepted two others. The consensus All-Big Twelve Conference choice started every game at strong safety in 2004. He collected 73 tackles (50 solos) with fourteen pass deflections and a pair of interceptions. "Huff Daddy," as his teammates call him, became Texas' first-ever Thorpe Award (nation's best defensive back) recipient in 2005. The unanimous All-American led the team to the national title as the secondary ranked fifth nationally in pass defense. Huff ranked second on the team with 109 tackles (53 solos), including two sacks and ten stops behind the line of scrimmage. He recovered two fumbles, returning one for a touchdown and also caused four fumbles. He intercepted two passes, deflected fourteen others and blocked a kick. In 51 games with the Longhorns, Huff registered 318 tackles (191 solos) with two sacks for minus-18 yards and 26 stops for losses of 75 yards. He recovered three fumbles for 21 yards in returns with a touchdown and also caused six fumbles. He ranks sixth on the school's all-time record list with 44 pass deflections and had eight interceptions for 162 yards in returns and a school-record four touchdowns. He ranks fourth in school annals with three blocked kicks and also generated seven quarterback pressures.

positives

Has a lean, angular frame, but shows good overall muscle definition and the ability to carry additional weight...Shows above average initial burst and range...Smooth, fluid mover with very good hand/eye coordination...Smart, instinctive player with superb route awareness...Makes all the defensive calls and does a good job of reading the quarterback and locating the ball...Does a good job of avoiding trash and has the range to pursue long distances...Has valid foot speed and an explosive closing burst, taking on ballcarriers with good pop on contact...Despite giving up bulk, he will not hesitate to face up to larger blockers at the point of attack, but is best when allowed to roam the field...Has the range to make plays in space and does a very good job of tracking the ball in flight... Has the leaping ability to get to the ball at its high point...His foot speed allows him to maintain cushion on deep routes and shows the closing burst to make plays in front of him...Takes good angles in pursuit and has the quickness to maintain mirror on receivers going long...Gets a good jump on the ball and has the speed to recover when beaten... Shows natural hands for the interception, doing a good job of reaching and plucking away from his frame.

huff has a good feel for the ball in flight and shows adequate hands to reach and pluck the ball, but will double catch at times, resulting in more deflections than picks. while he has decent hands, they are just not natural enough to consider him a ball thief. he does show a good burst and running stride to gain valid yardage on the interception return.

Like Brian Dawkins (Eagles), Huff has excellent speed and range to make plays in front of him. He hits hard for a player his size, but does not have the loose hips needed to mirror at cornerback. He lacks the bulk of an ideal strong safety and is better when allowed to roam the field. Put him at free safety and you will get much better value in return than at strong safety or cornerback. His athletic ability and instincts make him the best defensive back prospect in the 2006 draft.

huff is a physical playmaker with a knack for being in position to deliver the crunching hit. he lacks the bulk you look for in a safety playing inside the box, and will get rag-dolled when offensive linemen latch on to him. he is best when given a free lane in backside pursuit, as he has the burst to close. he can locate the ball working through trash and has the speed to stay tight on the receiver in long routes.

Huff's acceleration compensates for his adequate backpedal skills. Despite his timed speed, he is choppy in transition and gathers on his breaks, lacking the hip flexibility to turn smoothly. He compensates with above average acceleration, but just seems to show better man coverage skills at safety rather than at cornerback.

negatives

Has the speed to play cornerback, but gathers some in his breaks and gets too tall in his backpedal, as he appears to stay up on his heels a bit, allowing receivers to separate coming out of their breaks...Does not have the bulk to face up to blockers working in the box, relying more on his quickness to avoid and slip into the backfield to make the play...Struggles some to pick up zone concepts and will bite on play-action...Has to compensate with his speed in order to recover when he rounds his cuts vs. outside routes...Has the range to close in pursuit, but has a little hip stiffness when changing direction.

huff is a good contact tackler. he wraps and hits with good pop on contact, but will revert to arm tackles when working in closed quarters. he is a willing downhill player who comes up to the rush lanes quickly, staying low in his pads and driving with his legs to attack the lead blocker. he has excellent speed to break on the ball and maintains balance on the run.

For a player with his speed and acceleration, you would hope to see more suppleness and flexibility in his backpedal. He can keep cushion and stay on top of the route, doing a nice job of attacking backs and tight ends with his hands in attempts to reroute, but just lacks the hip snap and low pedal to plant and drive on the ball.

No injuries reported.

Combine: 4.35 in the 40-yard dash

1.51 10-yard dash

2.56 20-yard dash

Bench presses 225 pounds 21 times

40.5-inch vertical jump

10'5" broad jump

31 3/8-inch arm length

8 ¾-inch hands.

Attended Nimitz (Irving, Tex.) High School, playing football for head coach Huff Farda

Excelled as a safety, cornerback and wide receiver during his three-year career

Made 238 tackles and returned three of his nine interceptions for scores during his final two seasons

Posted 127 tackles and five interceptions (two returned for scores) as a senior

Registered a career-high 18 tackles and an interception against South Grand Prairie High and also scored on a 69-yard run and a 40-yard catch in that contest

Had 111 tackles and four interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) as a junior

Added 12 receptions for 220 yards as a sophomore receiver

Also a four-year letterman in track

Finished seventh in the 100 meters (10.46) at the 2000 USATF Junior Nationals.

Youth and Community Studies major

Earned a spot on UT's Athletics Director's Academic Honor Roll in spring and fall 2003

Named to the Big Twelve Commissioner's Honor Roll in Fall 2003

Active in UT's community service program

Step-brother, Marcus King, is a senior safety at Missouri

Another step-brother, Terrence Holmes, played at Texas Southern

Born Michael Wayne Huff, II on 3/06/83 in Irving, Texas.