The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Huff selected seventh overall by Raiders in 2006 NFL Draft
04.29.2006 | Football
NEW YORK -- University of Texas safety Michael Huff was selected by the Oakland Raiders with the seventh pick of the first round of Saturday's NFL Draft. Huff becomes the third-highest Longhorn defensive back selection in school history behind Quentin Jammer (2002) and Bryant Westbrook (1997), who were both chosen fifth overall.
Huff is also the fourth Texas DB selected in the last five years, joining Nathan Vasher (2004 - Chicago Bears, fourth round), Rod Babers (2003 - New York Giants, fourth round), and Jammer (San Diego Chargers).
With the selection of QB Vince Young by the Tennessee Titans with the third overall pick, Huff becomes the eighth top 10 pick of the Mack Brown era. Young and Huff become the third Longhorn duo in school history to be selected in the top 10, joining Jammer and OT Mike Williams in 2002, and QB Bobby Layne and E Max Bumgardner in 1948.
Texas has now had two first round selections in five of the last six years, including three consecutive for the first time in school history. Prior to Mack Brown's arrival, Texas had two first-round selections just four times in school history.
"Michael Huff is a quarterback on the field," Brown said. "He can play all four positions in the secondary. He's got the best knack of playing the ball of anyone I've ever seen. Michael is a really fast guy who ran track at Texas and developed into a really tough, hard-hitting football player as well. He also has the ability to return kicks and has a chance to make an impact on other special teams units as well. He's a really bright guy who has also already earned his degree from Texas."
Huff is the first player in UT history to win the Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back and earned 2006 Rose Bowl Defensive MVP honors after recording 12 tackles, a TFL and a fumble recovery. A unanimous first-team All-American, Huff played in 51 career games and started 50, including 13 starts in 2005. He recorded 318 tackles, 26 TFL, 44 PBU, seven INTs, six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in his career. Four of his seven INTs were returned for touchdowns, giving him the UT record for INT returns for a TD. He also had one fumble recovery for a TD, giving him the UT record for defensive scores with five and blocked three kicks (one punt/one PAT/one FG).
Huff becomes the first Longhorn drafted by the Raiders since LB Brian Jones in 1991.
