Elliott embraces UA honor

Rockwall-Heath defensive back DeShon Elliott of Rockwall, Texas, is no stranger to the Under Armour All-American Game. Elliott has watched the game closely on television, and he even had two friends in Speedy Noil and Jamal Adams play in the game last year.

Now, it's Elliott's turn to step onto the big stage, with the talented safety being officially named to the 2015 Under Armour All-America game on Tuesday during a jersey presentation at his school. The honor is not taken lightly by Elliott, and he said the help of those around him is a big reason he's playing in the game.

"It feels great that I've been noticed for my hard work and the hard work my teammates put in to help me get this accolade," Elliott said. "Them doing their job the right way gives me the opportunity to do my job the right way."

The 6-2, 2025-pound Elliott isn't a player that craves a lot of attention. You're not going to see his name in the headlines every week since he prefers to stay out of the media spotlight. Instead, he'll head to this game looking for an opportunity to meet some other top players and get a taste of what it will be like to play in front of a large audience, something he'll do every week in college as a member of the Texas Longhorns.

"Meeting other top recruits and being able to play the same kids I'll play against in college and getting a college atmosphere of talent," Elliott said when asked what he looks most forward to. "I just want to show that I am ready for college and can play at the next level. Most of those guys will play their freshman year, so I want to show that I can play with those guys."

Elliott's future at the college level is likely on defense, but he does a little bit of everything for his high school team. He lines up at receiver, defensive back, and returns kicks and punts. Rockwall-Heath head coach Mickey Moss said Elliott's natural athletic ability makes him a threat on all phases of the game.

"He's just a very explosive, physical athlete," Moss said. "This year in particular, he has been playing both sides of the ball for us, and he's doing an awesome job."

At the next level, Elliott is expected to play defense only, where his athleticism and physical style of play should make him a force in the defensive backfield.

"He's going to be a physical player at that level," Moss said. "He has great instincts as far as breaking on the ball. He's just a heck of an athlete and he plays with a great motor. He goes all out in practice."

Elliott committed to Texas in March over a host of other scholarship offers. He has yet to schedule his official visit to Texas, but said he and his coaches will likely get in touch with the UT staff soon to set something up.

As for his decision to commit to UT, Elliott said a couple reasons led him to his decision, including the presence of first-year Texas head coach Charlie Strong.

"Strong loves defensive players and coaches toughness and I think I can play early," Elliott said. "Coach (Strong) is going to build on what he has and once my class gets there, we'll be No. 1 in the Big 12. There's a lot of talent coming in and he's going to coach us up to the best of our abilities."

A three-star prospect, Elliott is the nation's 29th-ranked safety prospect.

The 2015 Under Armour All-America Game will be played on January 2, 2015 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.

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