Michael Huff has two step-brothers who have played college football. Marcus King played safety for Missouri and Terrence Holmes played for Texas Southern. Michael grew up in Irving, Texas where he attended Nimitz High School. Huff ran track and played football at Nimitz and was a playmaker from the beginning. In his first varsity game, Huff who played safety, cornerback, and receiver, caught the game winning touchdown pass in overtime of a playoff game. In his final two years of high school, Huff recorded 238 tackles and 9 interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. After his high school career was over, the talented Huff considered Oklahoma, Michigan, and Alabama, but ultimately decided to stay close to home and attend the University of Texas to play football and run track. Upon his arrival in Austin, Huff was more of a track star who played football than the other way around. He took a redshirt in 2001 and spent most of his time studying film and learning the Longhorn defense. His hard work and patience paid off in 2002. Michael recorded 70 tackles and intercepted two passes, running both of them back for touchdowns playing strong safety and cornerback for the Longhorns. For his efforts, Huff was named to the freshman All-American team. Michael had another great season as a sophomore with 66 tackles and 2 interceptions. Once again he returned both of his interceptions for touchdowns, making him the schools all-time leader for career interceptions returned for touchdowns, and leaving him one shy of the NCAA career mark. Huff continued to play well as a junior, totaling 73 tackles and two interceptions on the year. By his senior season Huff had become one of the best defensive players in college football and one of the top defensive back prospects for the 2006 NFL draft.

Michael Huff has a good combination of size and athleticism for a defensive back. He is one of the most versatile players available in the draft with the ability to play both cornerback and safety at a high level. He is an extremely intelligent player who has been the “quarterback” of the Longhorn secondary the past few seasons. Michael is a very hard worker and a true “student of the game” who spends a lot of time studying film, always knows not only his assignments, but his teammates assignments as well and is extremely quick when it comes to reading and reacting to what the offense is doing. He is a very good tackler and is effective on the blitz with good closing speed getting to the quarterback. He breaks on the ball well, has excellent instincts, and possesses the speed to run with most receivers when needed. He is a true “ballhawk” who set a school record for interceptions returned for touchdowns and is a threat to take it the distance everytime he touches the football. He does tend to take too many risks in coverage at times, opting to go for the big play which can result in a big play going the other way. His speed can be a liability at times since it will cause him to overrun plays. Since he did flip flop between corner and safety at Texas, Michael needs to settle into one position in the NFL and refine his technique at that position. In addition to being an excellent defensive back, Huff can also contribute on special teams where he has been effective in the past when it comes to blocking field goals and punts. Michael Huff is an extremely versatile player with a ton of upside. He has all the tools to play either corner or safety at the professional level. I see him being better prepared to play safety in the NFL where he can be an immediate impact player for the team that drafts him.