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Texas Football: Ranking the 5 best defensive backs since 2000

By Andrew Miller

19 Sep 1998: Free safety Quentin Jammer #5 of the Texas Longhorns in action during a game against the Kansas State Wildcats at the KSU Wagner Field in Manhattan, Kansas. The Wildcats defeated the Longhorns 48-7. Mandatory Credit: Todd Warshaw /Allsport
19 Sep 1998: Free safety Quentin Jammer #5 of the Texas Longhorns in action during a game against the Kansas State Wildcats at the KSU Wagner Field in Manhattan, Kansas. The Wildcats defeated the Longhorns 48-7. Mandatory Credit: Todd Warshaw /Allsport /
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AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 15: DeShon Elliott #4 of the Texas Longhorns celebrates after a defensive stop against the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half on October 15, 2016 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 15: DeShon Elliott #4 of the Texas Longhorns celebrates after a defensive stop against the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half on October 15, 2016 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /

Picking the final spot on this list is extremely difficult since you have a ton of defensive backs that would make for a clear top 10 ranking over the past 18 years. But, names like Kenny Vaccaro, Quandre Diggs, Michael Griffin, Duke Thomas, etc. make it difficult to narrow it down to five.

Yet, the reigning All-American safety DeShon Elliott powered first-year Texas defensive coordinator Todd Orlando to what could be a great tenure in Austin starting during the 2017 campaign. Elliott hauled in six interceptions, which made him a lock for an All-American team during a huge junior season.

Elliott didn’t get the same degree of overall success as a few other corners and safeties that Texas fans saw since 2000. However, he plays less of a role in the overall success of the team compared to another position like quarterback or running back. Yet, he even helped the Horns knock off the Iowa State Cyclones on the road last season, and nearly the USC Trojans.

Always showing a prowess for picking off opposing quarterbacks, Elliott even reeled in two interceptions in a very limited role during his freshman campaign. This placing for Elliott might fall more because it was a huge effort fresh on the mind of the fan base. But, he deserves a ton of recognition for posting six interceptions, 63 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 3.0 forced fumbles, 1.0 fumble recovery, and 2 defensive touchdowns, all coming last season.

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