2013 RECRUIT: ERIK HUHN

SAFETY – 6’3″ – 207 LBS – CIBOLO (STEELE)

CIBOLO STEELE SAFETY Erik Huhn hit a streak of luck on his way to
the 40 Acres. He won a state football title as a sophomore, helped his 4×100-meter relay team finish ninth in the Class 5A state track meet as a junior, and committed …

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to Texas last summer in anticipation of a ringing senior season. But then things hit a wall after Huhn suffered a left knee injury — an injury that kept him out of Steele’s run to the 5A semifinals.

Before the Kings’ final game versus eventual state champion Katy, Huhn — who had nothing to prove — suited up in full pads and ran onto the field with his teammates. Huhn made the needed impression last summer, when he proved to Texas defensive backs coach Duane Akina that he could handle man-toman coverage against some of the top receivers in the Longhorns’ summer camp. He came to Austin last June undecided about where to play college football. He left that weekend with an offer from the Longhorns, and that — to Huhn — was a dream come true.

“Other coaches might BS you, but not coach Akina,” Huhn said. “He told me if I performed then I would get the offer and that’s what happened. Now, if I go up there and work hard, I’ll have chance to play.” At 6’2” and with a big frame, Huhn might outgrow a position in the defensive backfield. Today, however, he plans to arrive in Austin this summer and make an impact at safety. First he’ll need to complete the rehab on his injured knee. Huhn’s injury came during Steele’s season opener against San Antonio Madison.

On the Knights’ first defensive play, he recorded a tackle for loss. On the second play, Huhn made a leaping interception. With the ball in his hands, he landed on his left leg and felt a crunch in his knee. Huhn said at his signing that he’s recovering well. He’s currently allowed to jog and do some light exercises, with a release date to begin running at the end of March.

A solid tackler, Huhn is the type of player Texas can never do without. He can make the highlight hit but can also get a hold of — and hang on to — a runner. His ability to run sideline to sideline allows him to make plays at the edge of the field. Texas coveted Huhn because he’s a strong safety prospect who has speed, range and plays with controlled physicality. He can also play the deep ball, be in position to hammer a receiver
crossing the middle of the field and jump into the mix to help stop the run.

He’s lost some of weight since the injury and Huhn’s time away from football has left him anxious to get back to the field. “I want it,” Huhn said. “I have a lot to prove to myself and it’s a challenge I’m looking forward to.” Because he is likely to add weight quickly,
Huhn understands that he could outgrow the safety position. He said he’s willing to move to linebacker. “Whatever I need to do to help the team I will do,” he said. Wherever he’s at on the field, Huhn sees a Texas defense where he can come in, contribute
and make things happen.

“Texas’ defense had a tough stretch [in] 2012,” Huhn said. “They’ve lost some key players, and any time you lose key players, it’s harder. I want to show what I can do to make a difference.”

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