DeShon Elliott - Nickname "The Kraken" "I look at that secondary and my sleeper is Elliott. I just like who he is and he makes hits - he's a big hitter." - Charlie Strong [LHN Video - 16:12] --- A pure, natural striker who has the short-area quickness to possess a wide tackling radius and the ability to consistently square up opponents, Elliott brings his feet with the sink-and-explode coiling and uncoiling possessed by all the true top enforcers, whether safeties or linebackers. It's no surprise watching Elliott tackle that he reports a 425-pound squat. And Elliott can deliver some huge, launched shots with his shoulder, too. He just does it along the sideline where he knows that the momentum of his hit will keep the ball carrier from picking up extra yardage. When he's a partially-guided missile, he's doing so with little risk. Not the most rangy safety in the state, Elliott nonetheless shows that he can take good angles in coverage and transition to make plays on the football. In college, however, it's unlikely that he plays the role of single deep safety on a consistent basis, in part because that role doesn't take advantage of his versatile skillset. What's impressive about Elliott is his ability to consistently beat blockers, whether running backs in pass protection, tight ends on the perimeter or even offensive linemen. His tackling force translates to quick hands aided by his lower-body explosiveness, but he also understands the proper hand placement to control and shed, too. There's no question that his skill set will lend well to a hybrid position that allows Elliott to spend some time in coverage and also work off the edge. Asking Elliott to handle the nickel back role with zone drops, blocker-beating play against the run and some blitzing from the edge represents his possible collegiate upside. He shows evidence on film of being projectable to those tasks. In sum, Elliott has the versatility to do the things that are in a pure safety's repertoire, but his elite tackling ability and overall physicality getting to the football around the line of scrimmage suggests that his role will likely be from the box to the sideline like a linebacker, possibly with some zone concepts to allow Elliott to undercut routes and make plays. [Full article here] Four-star safety standout Deshon Elliott checks in from Rockwall (Texas) Rockwall-Heath H.S. Elliott has great closing speed, tackling ability and toughness. He is a perfect fit for Coach Charlie Strong and defensive coordinator Vance Bedford. Elliott is eagerly waiting to begin his Texas career. ”I'm ready to have a change of scenery and start my new path and officially get to business as a Longhorn Student Athlete,” Elliott said. “I want an early start at the weights and learning the defense. I want to prove myself and get my grades early. I'm coming to prove myself. I am 6'2, 200-pounds. I wanted to drop a little weight and get faster and quicker and give Coach Moore the opportunity to make me bigger and ready to play, plus I don't want to play LB lol” ”These last two months I've tried to stay on my grades and grow as a young man,” Elliott said. “My birthday was in April, so I finally turned 18. I feel like I should be a man and be responsible for all of my actions so I'll be able to take care of all of my business on my own.” ”Off the field I'll expect be a role model to all with my grades and personality, I'm a people person,” Elliott said. “On the field I will be a force. Once I get the playbook down, and I get an opportunity to show what I have. They won't be disappointed. My classmates and I intend on coming in and making the Texas Program a powerhouse under the control of Coach Strong. Let's Ride.” [Full article here]
To me Elliot is no secret. He is a rangy, violent and punishing hitter. Good instincts and great attitude. He is fast enough to cover over the middle and in the flats. IMO he will be a star at the 4000 Acres.
We are getting some big time hitters with this class. These defensive guys are going to light some folks up!
yup. I cannot wait to see this batch of incoming D stars that have attitude, like to hit and cause train wrecks come in and energize the team this fall and for several seasons to come. Think about it - Elliott, Cherry, Jefferson, etc. etc.
Makes my body ache to think about trying to run the ball, catch a pass or run back a punt or KO with those guys out there coming on hard fast with fire in their eyes....POW!!
BJ - maybe we liken this batch of kids to headhunters!? Not the kind that do executive recruiting, the other kind. We could play another round of name the Defense like we did on HF a number of years ago (when we had a good one)... among the possible choices we could suggest "headhunters"!?
I'm afraid the name "Headhunters" would only make officials inordinately more likely to call instances of possible targeting of the head in tackling as personal foul penalties.
You have a point there OH. Besides that, someone, somewhere would probably claim the term for our Defense was insensitive and offensive to islanders that really were / are headhunters. Guess we will have to focus on other names.
Just turned 18 in April, we need to red shirt this beast, let that body mature, if he is 6'2, 200, and just turned 18? He will spin down that body is still growing and there are not many 6'3 210-215lb safety's in the Big XII.
Off the field, Elliott’s personality will shine through. He gets along with people, and Elliott does not mind carrying a conversation. “I like to be open with myself,” Elliott said. “I will always stand out because I always like to talk.” But on the field, Elliott cautions he’s not trash talker. The only real words that come out of his mouth are barks at his teammates to be in the right position as the field general of the secondary. Actually, the hard-hitting safety said opponents will really only have to listen to him after a certain kind of play. “If I hit you, you’re going to hear it,” Elliott said. As a senior at Rockwall-Heath High School in 2014, Elliott compiled 86 tackles to go along with two tackles for loss and three interceptions. But those numbers don’t tell a complete tale, because a lot of those tackles were of the spectacular variety. His mentality of flying to the ball and laying the wood can be traced back to his dad, Arme. “He played linebacker in high school, and growing up he was hard on me (on the field),” Elliott said. “So I just bring that to the field. He taught me everything I do.” “I have a lot to prove,” Elliott said. “I’ve been working on my footwork and cover skills.” Four days a week – Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday – Elliott works with a personal trainer on his footwork. Most of the labor centers around cone work to improve his change of direction ability, but the pair have also toiled to elevate Elliott’s skills in man coverage. “I think my ball skills are pretty A-1,” Elliott said with a laugh. “I played receiver this year, after all.” The incoming freshman is emphatic that the direction of Texas football will change once the 2015 class arrives. “What happened last year won’t happen again,” Elliott said. “I already know that. We’ll definitely contend for the Big 12 title. I know that. I’m sure before we graduate we’ll win a national championship. We have that type of talent and type of coaching. Elliott is sure of one thing about his game. “I will always be aggressive,” Elliott said. “I will always try my best. No matter how big, how fast you are, when I come I’m going to bring my all. I ain’t scared of nobody.” [Full article here]
Every one of the new guys coming in on defense love to knock the crap outta folks! Man! I'm lovin' this!!
