The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Curtis Brown drafted 95th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers
04.29.2011 | Football
April 29, 2011
Austin - Texas CB Curtis Brown was selected 95th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers and joins CB Aaron Williams as the second Longhorn selected during Friday's edition of the NFL Draft.
"I've accomplished something that I set a goal [for] a long time ago - that I would make something of myself," Brown said. "Even if I don't succeed past this point - I set this goal and I reached it and I'm proud of myself. It's a blessing."
"Coach Akina is amazing. He taught me so much and I'm just happy that I made that decision to go to Texas and [play] under him and Mack Brown and Coach Rucker. Those three are amazing. Amazing. I'm just growing as a player and I'm going to keep growing and I'm just blessed to take this next step."
The last time Texas had two or more DB's selected in the same draft was in 2007 when three Longhorns were selected: Michael Griffin (Tennessee Titans - first round), Aaron Ross (New York Giants - first round) and Tarell Brown (San Francisco 49ers - fifth round).
"Curtis has come so far since he's been here. He was a wide receiver in high school so he has outstanding hands," Texas head coach Mack Brown said. "He's a guy that can cover man-to-man. That's what they are looking for in the NFL. Everybody has to have that cover guy so you can lock up the two best receivers and play nine-on-seven with the rest of them. Curtis can do that, and that's why we think he has got a lot of potential in the NFL."
Along with Brown and Aaron Williams, who was selected 34th overall by the Buffalo Bills on Friday, eleven Texas DBs have now been selected in the last ten years including Earl Thomas (Seattle Seahawks, 2010), Michael Griffin (Tennessee Titans, 2007), Aaron Ross (New York Giants, 2007), Tarell Brown (San Francisco 49ers, 2007), Michael Huff (Oakland Raiders, 2006), Cedric Griffin (Minnesota Vikings, 2006), Nathan Vasher (Chicago Bears, 2004), Rod Babers (New York Giants, 2003) and Quentin Jammer (San Diego Chargers, 2002).
Brown is the first Longhorn to be chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers since WR Limas Sweed and OT Tony Hills were both picked in 2008. Brown will join those two in Pittsburgh along with NT Casey Hampton and OT Jonathan Scott on the Steelers' roster.
Brown was a four-year cornerback who appeared in 52 games, including 28 starts in the last 52 games and with the exception of PAT and FG, played on every special team during his career. Overall, he compiled 120 tackles (86 solo), two INT, including one he returned 77 yards for a TD, 32 PBU, three TFL, one forced fumble and one blocked punt. He also had 35 career special-teams tackles and returned 14 punts for 199 yards (14.2 ypr).
The Gilmer, Texas native played in all 12 games in 2010, starting 10, where he recorded 26 tackles, one INT, seven PBU and one TFL. He was a member of the 2010 Nagurski Trophy and Thorpe Award preseason watch lists and was second-team All-Big 12 in 2010.
Brown started all 14 games at defensive back in 2009 and posted 53 tackles (34 solo), 15 PBU, an INT, two TFL, a forced fumble and a blocked punt. He also led the team in special-teams tackles with 15. He was named honorable mention All-American by Pro Football Weekly and was an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection.
In 2008, Brown played in all 13 games, starting four and notched 27 tackles, nine PBU and two pressures. He tied for the team lead in special-teams tackles with nine. He played in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2007 when he led the team with nine special-teams tackles.
