The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Diggs picked in sixth round of NFL Draft by Detroit
05.02.2015 | Football
Defensive back is fourth Longhorn selected this year, goes 200th overall Saturday
2015 NFL Draft Index | Quotes: Diggs on the NFL Draft | Video: Highlights of Diggs | Photo Gallery: Diggs in action
Texas had its fourth player selected in the 2015 NFL Draft when defensive back Quandre Diggs was picked by the Detroit Lions with the 24th choice (200th overall) during Saturday's fifth round.
Earlier in the day, the New York Giants chose defensive back Mykkele Thompson in the fifth round. New England selected defensive tackle Malcom Brown with the final pick in Thursday's first round and Philadelphia took linebacker Jordan Hicks in Friday's third round of the draft, which has spanned the last three days in Chicago.
The Longhorns now have had at least four players selected nine times in the last 13 years. Diggs is the seventh UT defensive back to be picked in the last six drafts.
Texas has had two defensive backs taken in four of the last 10 years with the last occurrence in 2011 with Aaron Williams (second round, Buffalo) and Curtis Brown (third round, Pittsburgh).
Diggs is looking forward to the transition to the NFL and excited to be taken in the same draft as one of his closest friends.
"It's great," Diggs said of Thompson and he being drafted on the same day. "Mykkele's my brother, that's my best friend. He's one of the people who definitely pushed me. I'm sure we'll see each other, and it's a blessing that we've got this chance. With us being roommates in college and friends and coming in together and both going out getting drafted together, it's a blessing."
Diggs becomes the first UT player selected by Detroit since 2006 (offensive tackle Jonathan Scott, fifth round). Longhorns selected by Detroit since 1994 have also included wide receiver Roy Williams (first round, 2004), defensive end Cory Redding (third round, 2003), defensive tackle Shaun Rogers (second round, 2001), cornerback Bryant Westbrook (first round, 1997) and safety Van Malone (second round, 1994).
Last season, Diggs was a key cog in a defense that ranked No. 25 nationally in total defense (348.5 yards per game), No. 11 in both passing yards allowed (184.2 pg) and sacks (3.08 pg), and 22nd in third-down conversion defense (35.3 percent).
"A lot of people are going to question his size, but he plays very big," head coach Charlie Strong said of the 5-foot-10, 195-pounder. "He can cover and may not have top end spend, but he makes up for it with his intelligence. He plays within himself, studies receivers, studies splits, studies everything the offense does. He can do those things because he's such a smart player and he loves working at it."
A four-year starter and three-time All-Big 12 selection (2011, 2013, 2014), Diggs ended his career tied for ninth on the UT all-time interceptions list (11) with Mossy Cade (1981-83) and William Graham (1979-81). Diggs' 37 career pass breakups are also tied for ninth with Cade on the school's all-time list.
Diggs ended his career with 241 tackles, including 157 solo stops and 17 tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles. He had a career-high 73 tackles in 2014.
A native of Angleton, Texas, Diggs joins his brother, former Longhorn player Quentin Jammer, on the NFL Draft list. Jammer, an All-America cornerback and a member of the Texas Athletics Men's Hall of Honor, was selected with the fifth overall pick in 2002 by San Diego where he played for 11 seasons (2002-12). He also spent 2013 with Denver.
Diggs' selection has special meaning to his family.
"It means a lot," Diggs said. "It's big for my family. I was actually the first one to graduate, and now me and my brother have this great thing for my family. That's what's important to me, just putting up my family and being respectful for them. I love them to death. I'm going to enjoy the rest of the day with them and soak it all in."
Diggs envisions playing a similar role in the secondary as he did at Texas.
"I think I'm going to playing a lot of nickel and inside out," Diggs said. "They like my versatility. I just have to go out and prove myself. It's the same thing I did when I was at Texas."
Longhorns Draft Notes
• The Longhorns have had 334 players chosen on draft day and had at least one player selected in 77 of the 80 NFL Drafts, including a record 76 consecutive (1938-2013).
• With Jordan Hicks' selection Friday, the Longhorns have had at least two players taken in the first three rounds in 13 of the last 15 NFL Drafts. New England selected Malcom Brown in the first round Thursday. In fact, at least two Longhorns have been drafted in 51 of the last 54 years, dating back to 1962.
• With Mykkele Thompson's and Quandre Diggs' selections in the fifth round Saturday, the Longhorns have had at least four players selected in nine of the last 13 NFL Drafts.
• Despite not having a player selected in the 2014 draft, seven Longhorns ended up signing as free agents. Six Longhorns from that class were on NFL rosters last season including Carrington Byndom (Carolina), Donald Hawkins (Dallas), Trey Hopkins (Cincinnati), Jackson Jeffcoat (Washington), Adrian Phillips (San Diego) and Chris Whaley (Dallas). The six first-year players on NFL rosters was tied with Baylor and Oklahoma for the most among Big 12 schools and tied for 21st in the nation.
• Texas has had 44 players selected in the first round with three of those Longhorns — Kenneth Sims, 1982; Earl Campbell, 1978; Tommy Nobis, 1966 — earning the honor of being the first player selected overall.
• This is the fourth year in the last seven the Longhorns have a first-round draft choice including Kenny Vaccaro (2013 by New Orleans), Earl Thomas (2010 by Seattle) and Brian Orakpo (2009 by Washington).
• Texas holds the NFL record with 17 players selected in the 1984 draft.
• On Thursday, Malcom Brown (New England) became the fourth player under Strong to be drafted in the first round during the last two years. Last season, Louisville had three first round picks in safety Calvin Pryor (18th overall to New York Jets), defensive end Marcus Smith (26th overall to Philadelphia) and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (32nd overall to Minnesota). Strong was the head coach with the Cardinals from 2011 to 2014. Since 1995, Strong has coached 13 players selected in the first round and 31 taken in the first four rounds.
