DeShon Elliott

A one-year starter at Texas, Elliott created buzz as a junior with six interceptions, often lining up on the opposite hash as the ball and was asked to do a little bit of everything from coverage to downhill. He became the first Longhorn with an interception in three straight games since Earl Thomas. Elliott shows a good feel for what the offense wants to do, but his cover skills will be a concern at the NFL level due to his streaky awareness and average athleticism, lacking the hips or play speed to stick with receivers down the seam. In run support, he has the toughness to be a hit, lift, drive tackler, but he picks and chooses when to use proper technique and doesn’t always compete with urgency. BACKGROUND A four-star safety recruit out of high school, Elliott saw action at linebacker and safety at Rockwall-Heath where he was an all-state and two-time all-district honoree. He was considered at top-25 safety recruit in the nation and committed to Texas over offers from Texas A&M, TCU and Oklahoma. As a true freshman in Austin, Elliott missed fall camp and the beginning of the 2015 season due to injury, seeing action in seven games and finishing with 13 tackles, three passes defended, two interceptions and one forced fumble. He played in every game as a sophomore, including his first career start, and posted 30 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, five passes defended and one interception. Elliott moved into a starting role as a junior and produced a career-season with a conference-best six interceptions over 12 starts (sat out the bowl game), adding 63 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and 15 passes defended. He was a 2017 finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award (nation’s best defensive back) and named First Team All-American and All-Big 12. ...

in our view

Despite the interception totals, Elliott looks more comfortable closer to the line of scrimmage where the field shrinks, projecting best as a box safety in the NFL.

strengths

Notable ball production with nine career interceptions in only 13 starts. Tracks the eyes of the quarterback to be a right place, right time player. Steady focus and soft hands to finish interceptions in his zip code. Gets physical with tight ends at the top of routes. Excellent understanding of football angles. Adequate play speed and body control for the position, staying on the balls of his feet. Chase skills to close the gap in pursuit or blitz off the edge. Comfortable near the line of scrimmage and doesn’t mind engaging in hand-to-hand combat. Type of competitor willing to throw the first punch. Plays with a nasty edge and helps set the tone during the week and on the field. Collected 156 interception return yards, including two defensive touchdowns. Second player in school history with three multi-interception games. – Dane Brugler 1/6/2018

compares to

Darian Thompson, New York Giants – With his high interception total at Boise State, Thompson was a top-75 draft pick, but to this point he has struggled to nail down a significant role in the Giants’ secondary.

weaknesses

Stiff hips. Lacks the transition speed to turn and run with receivers vertically. Doesn’t own the burst to compensate for a late start. Doesn’t always trust his eyes with marginal route anticipation. Play urgency isn’t always there, allowing too many completions underneath. Inconsistent strike zone when tackling in motion. Needs to better gather and come to balance as a run defender to avoid missed tackles. Most of his interceptions were gifts that landed in his lap (overthrows, etc.). Good edge speed as a blitzer, but struggles to shed once engaged. – Dane Brugler 1/6/2018

Coached by Mickey Moss at Rockwall-Heath High School

an all-state and two-time all-district honoree

selected to participate in the 2015 Under Armour All-America Game

named third-team 5A All-State by the Texas Sports Writers Association, and honorable mention by the Associated Press in 2014

chosen first-team All-Area by the Dallas Morning News

tabbed unanimous first-team All-District 12-5A

rated No. 97 (No. 5 safety) nationally and No. 13 in Texas by ESPN

ranked No. 202 (No. 16 safety) nationally and No. 32 (No. 4 safety) in Texas by Scout

rated No. 24 safety nationally and No. 60 in Texas by 247Sports

ranked No. 25 at safety and No. 40 overall in Texas by Rivals

rated No. 7 safety in the state by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football

placed No. 18 on the Fab 55 by the Austin American-Statesman

despite missing two games, finished second on the team with 81 tackles, which was one shy of the team lead as a senior

was also second with three interceptions, including one returned for a TD, while adding two tackles for loss, five passes defended and one forced fumble

caught 15 passes for 226 yards and three TDs

also returned seven punts with a 10.9-yard average

part of a defense that registered three shutouts during the season Helped Heath to a 10-3 record, including a 6-1 district record, and an appearance in the 5A regional playoffs in 2014

named 2014 preseason second-team Super Team by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football

chosen second-team All-District 12-5A as a linebacker in 2013

ranked second on the team with 66 tackles to go along with four sacks, three interceptions and three forced fumbles as a junior

helped Heath to a 6-4 record in 2013

totaled 23 tackles and one interception as a sophomore

helped Heath to a 6-5 record and the bidistrict playoffs in 2012.

Born in Dallas, Texas

has lived in Rockwall, Texas, since the start of high school

parents are Tiffany and Arme Elliott

has two sisters, Antinece and Taylor.

2017

fumbles
REC	LOST	FUM
1.0	0.0	0.0

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
8.5	0.0	63.0	2.0	9.0	1.5	50.0

interceptions
TD	AVG	YDS	INT
2.0	21.2	127.0	6.0

2016

fumbles
REC	LOST	FUM
2.0	0.0	0.0

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
3.0	0.0	30.0	0.0	4.0	1.0	24.0

interceptions
TD	AVG	YDS	INT
0.0	24.0	24.0	1.0

2015

interceptions
TD	AVG	YDS	INT
0.0	2.5	5.0	2.0