The history of recent players from the University of Texas might hurt cornerback Aaron Williams’ chances of being taken by the Steelers this year.
Pittsburgh drafted two player from Texas in 2008 -- wideout Limas Sweed and tackle Tony Hills. Both have been disappointments. While Casey Hampton has been a stalwart in Pittsburgh, he came from a different era in the Texas program.
“Vince Young also has been a major disappointment in the NFL and it has prompted many to wonder if there is not a certain culture that has enveloped the Texas program that inhibits some Longhorns as pros,” Ed Bouchette writes for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
We’ve heard this accusation plenty: That Texas players come out of school a little soft and pampered.
A look at the recent history of the school shows this isn’t exactly fair. Some top picks have been busts, but there have been many success stories. Earl Thomas, Jordan Shipley, Colt McCoy, Brian Orakpo, Jamaal Charles, Jermichael Finley, and Michael Griffin are among the solid picks from Texas in the last few years.
Aaron Williams has been a popular target to the Steelers in mock drafts, but the team’s history with Texas players could cause the team to shy away. Before Hampton, the Steelers drafted wideout Mike Adams in 1997 in the seventh round. The last Texas player Pittsburgh drafted before that was 10th round pick Kirk McJunkin in 1984.
The debate about Williams’ position at the next level will likely hurt him more than any school reputation. Many evaluators believe he’d be better off as a safety.