Hall of Fame
Position: Defensive Back
Years: 2002-05
Place of Birth: Irving, Texas
Date of Birth: March 6, 1983
Jersey Number: 7
Height: 6-0
Weight: 211
High School: Nimitz (Irving, TX)
A defensive back with exceptional speed and impeccable instincts, Michael Huff consistently thwarted opposing offenses while making clutch plays and helping Texas claim the 2005 national title. The Irving, Texas, native now becomes the 22nd Longhorn player to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.
A unanimous First Team All-American in 2005, Huff capped his career by winning the Thorpe Award, given to the nation's best defensive back, becoming the first Longhorn ever to receive the prestigious honor. Playing for Hall of Fame coach Mack Brown during his four years in Austin, Huff helped the Longhorns to a 45-6 overall record, four consecutive bowl appearances, the program's first national championship in 35 years, a perfect 13-0 season and a Big 12 title.
Huff earned Defensive MVP honors in Texas' legendary 2005 BCS National Championship victory over USC in the Rose Bowl after making a crucial fourth-down tackle late in the game to give the Longhorns possession for their iconic game-winning drive. He also helped the Horns defeat Michigan the previous season in the Rose Bowl and LSU in the Cotton Bowl following the 2002 season. Texas never finished lower than No. 12 nationally during his four years in Austin.
A two-time First Team All-Big 12 pick (2004, 2005), Huff led the Longhorns' defense as the unit topped the conference in total defense (302.9), scoring defense (16.4) and passing defense (172.0). Huff set multiple records at Texas, including the most career defensive touchdowns (five) and the most interceptions returned for a touchdown in a career (four). His 23.1-yard average on interception returns remains a UT record. His 162 career interception return yards rank sixth in UT annals, and his 44 career pass breakups also place him sixth all-time in program history. Starting 50-of-51 career games, Huff posted 318 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, seven interceptions, six forced fumbles, and three blocked kicks, proving his ability to impact the game in multiple ways.
In addition to his football excellence, Huff showcased his elite speed as an All-Big 12 sprinter for the Texas track team. He also excelled in the classroom, earning Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll recognition before graduating with a degree in youth and community studies in 2005.
A first-round pick (seventh overall) of the Raiders in the 2006 NFL Draft, Huff played seven seasons in Oakland before a final season in 2013 when he helped the Denver Broncos reach Super Bowl XLVIII.
Following his playing career, Huff returned to Texas as the Assistant Director of Player Development, mentoring the next generation of Longhorns. Off the field, he has remained deeply committed to philanthropy, supporting initiatives such as Foster Village, the North Texas Food Bank, and the Neighborhood Longhorns Program, while also providing funding for student loan relief, summer school scholarships, and STEM education. He was inducted into the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor (2015) and the Irving ISD Hall of Fame (2013), and he now joins Texas teammates Vince Young and Derrick Johnson in the College Football Hall of Fame.
