Texas DB Huff talks about preparing for combine

[Nick]

Texas DB Huff talks about preparing for combine
By Eric Gay, AP

Texas defensive back Michael Huff, the 2005 Jim Thorpe Award winner as college football's top defensive back, is certain to be one of the first defensive players off the board in April's NFL Draft. Huff's ability to play both cornerback and safety make him an even more attractive commodity to ever-changing NFL defenses that demand increasing versatility from the players that man them. USA TODAY's Nate Davis caught up with Huff on the eve of the 2006 NFL Combine.

Question: The NFL Combine has a perception as a make-or-break endeavor for some athletes that can vault "workout wonders" ahead of better football players. How do you feel about the combine concept considering your impressive body of work at the University of Texas?

Huff: I think the combine is really designed to rate you as an athlete. A lot of the drills are football-related, so that helps. But I think it's a little unfair and more evidence should be taken from a player's game film. But I guess they want whoever runs the fastest and jumps the highest.

Q: What aspect of the combine are you most confident about?

Probably the 40 (40-yard dash) and bench press (each player must do as many bench press repetitions as possible using a 225-pound weight). I should be able to do 22 repetitions in the bench press. As far as the 40 goes, hopefully I can run a 4.3.

Q: What are you most nervous about leading into the combine?

I wouldn't say I'm nervous at all. I'm prepared and ready.

Q: The Wonderlic test worries a lot of guys. How about you?

No, not really. You can't really prepare for it, so why worry. Either you know it or you don't.

Q: Talk about your preparation for the combine, Michael.

I chose API because it's the best facility out there and it got me better at every single drill. My 40 has vastly improved to about 4.37 seconds and I've gained about 2-3 reps on the bench press and 2-3 inches for the vertical leap. And I used EAS supplements all though college because it's the nutrition brand certified by the NFL. I know I won't end up on the wrong side of a supplement/drug test or anything at the combine. All that helps me have total confidence heading to Indianapolis. (Editor's note: API or Athletes Performance, a training institute with locations near Los Angeles and Phoenix, is used by many college players to prep for the combine and boost their draft stock.)

Q: Which position do you prefer, cornerback or safety?

I like to swing back and forth. But there's a new era of guys playing DB, guys like (Steelers safety) Troy Polamalu. We have to be able to play anywhere in the box, play Cover 2, etc. I'm part of that new breed. I guess I'm more comfortable at safety but I'm fine at corner, too. It doesn't matter either way to me.

Q: What NFL defensive backs do you model your game after?

Ed Reed and Charles Woodson. I model myself on that playmaking ability and being able to break on balls (on defense) and blocking punts on special teams — I really like doing that.

Q: Have you sought advice from NFL players or Texas alums?

I talked to Charles Woodson (the 1997 Thorpe and Heisman winner) and got his advice. He told me to play my game and everything will come to me.

Q: Having played against Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart, who do you take if you're an NFL GM?

(Huff laughs) Vince Young!

Q: I'll ask about Vince in a second, but pick between Bush and Leinart.

It kinda depends on what a team needs, they're both great players.

Q: But if you're Michael Huff and starting your own team, who do you take?

Whew. I probably take Leinart because everything goes through the quarterback and that guy always makes good decisions.

Q: OK, tell me about Vince (Young and Huff were teammates at Texas for four years)

Being around him for the last four years has been a lot of fun on and off the field. Vince will do whatever you need him to do to win — he'd even play special teams.

Q: Talk about trying to defend Vince as a defensive back.

He outruns most of the defensive backs if you're in man (man-to-man) coverage and he'll throw it if you play zone. Pick your poison.

Q: Which team do you hope drafts you?

Whichever team needs me.

Q: Come on, Michael, you're from Irving, Texas, home of America's team!

(Huff laughs) The Cowboys pick too low (18th pick of first round), but that would be a great secondary — three Thorpe winners (2001 winner Roy Williams, a safety, and 2002 winner Terence Newman, a cornerback, both start for Dallas)!

[Rambos]

Thanks Nick good stuff.

Whichever team needs me.

We need you!

[RamJackson39]

Q: Having played against Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart, who do you take if you're an NFL GM?

(Huff laughs) Vince Young!

That made me chuckle.

[Rampage39]

lol cowboys pick too low.

[RamJackson39]

I wish Texas would move into the SEC and actually start playing some real teams. It would make it so much easier to judge these players since they would be going against top tier talent instead of teams that should be scheduled for a homecoming game.

[Rip32]

If he is on the board at 11 and we dont pick him I will go on bender to end all benders

:clanram:

[RamsFan16]

I wish Texas would move into the SEC and actually start playing some real teams. It would make it so much easier to judge these players since they would be going against top tier talent instead of teams that should be scheduled for a homecoming game.

Yea or Big 10

[RamJackson39]

Yea or Big 10

SEC>Big 10

This Huff thing brings up a big debate. Both safety and TE classes are pretty deep. So who carries more value? The stud TE or the stud Safety?

[RamsFan16]

Big10>SEC nuff said

[Rip32]

This Huff thing brings up a big debate. Both safety and TE classes are pretty deep. So who carries more value? The stud TE or the stud Safety?

Heres a question would you rather have an Ed Reed/Polamalu type safety or would you rather have an Antonio Gates/Crumpler type Tight end.

Me,I would take the safety anyday.

:clanram:

[RamJackson39]

Big10>SEC nuff said

SEC>ACC>BIG 10

Florida beat Iowa and FSU

LSU beat Miami

Looks like SEC is still on top to me.

[RamJackson39]

Heres a question would you rather have an Ed Reed/Polamalu type safety or would you rather have an Antonio Gates/Crumpler type Tight end.

It depends. If I had a 3-4 type defense. I'd take Ed Reed or Polomalu. Since St.Louis runs a 4-3 then i'd take Gates over all of them.

[RamsFan16]

SEC>ACC>BIG 10

Florida beat Iowa and FSU

LSU beat Miami

Looks like SEC is still on top to me.

Iowa got ripped off in the Bowl Game leave it at that.

[Rip32]

It depends. If I had a 3-4 type defense. I'd take Ed Reed or Polomalu. Since St.Louis runs a 4-3 then i'd take Gates over all of them.

In someways a TE can help such as opening it up for holt and bruce or curtis in the slot but i think with Haslett willing to play the 3-4 at times,a safety such as Huffs class would be great for us plus he could play in so many places in the secondary that just helps matters.

:clanram:

[Nick]

Heres a question would you rather have an Ed Reed/Polamalu type safety or would you rather have an Antonio Gates/Crumpler type Tight end.

Me,I would take the safety anyday.

:clanram:

Also consider that a stud safety is going to be playing every snap on defense, where a stud TE despite his skills will probably be subbed out in various offensive packages, especially with our depth at receiver. It's a good debate, and a win-win for us because both are great prospects.