Ranking every Texas Longhorns first round draft pick of the last 25 years

Texas Longhorns 9th-best first-round NFL draft pick of the last 25 years: Michael Griffin

Defensive back
Tennessee Titans: 2007-2015
Carolina Panthers: 2016

Former Texas Longhorns defensive back Michael Griffin took what were some awe-inspiring numbers in Austin and managed to continue putting up eye-popping stats once he got into the NFL in 2007. Griffin had 100 tackles in his junior season and 88 in his senior year before heading to the Titans and doing the Texas Longhorns proud with a steady career in Music City.

There was a short time when Griffin wasn’t totally locked in as the starter. He appeared in 16 games in his rookie year but started just 10. That was really the last time he wasn’t the starter. His sophomore campaign saw him start all 16 games, had more than 70 tackles and hauled down a career-high seven interceptions. He also had more than 150 yards of interception return yards and a touchdown.

Despite spending his NFL career playing safety, he still had two more seasons of at least four interceptions.

After nine years with the Titans, he played his final year with the Carolina Panthers. Though he appeared in 13 games, he started just six. It wasn’t a fantastic end to his career, but he still managed to impress with his decade in the NFL.