This is the fifth of our Longhorn player profile series, leading up to the season-opening game on Sept. 1.

Early in preseason fall workouts, Texas Coach Mack Brown evaluated the talent among his defensive backs, where as many as 10 players are competing for four starting spots.

"In the secondary it has been interesting," Brown said. "The old ones aren’t going to give up. You really have five safeties that are fighting for work with Tyrell Gatewood, Erick Jackson, Marcus Griffin, Drew Kelson and Ishie Oduegwu. And you have three older corners with Brandon Foster, who has done real well, Ryan Palmer and Deon Beasley and Deon is much stronger and more confident back there. And then you have all the freshmen along with Chykie [Brown] that are looking to break into that group and try to get some playing time."

Among the "old ones" are seniors Marcus Griffin and Drew Kelson, who have battled through coaching changes and injuries to emerge as the expected leaders of a secondary that must improve over last year, when the Longhorns were ranked 99th in the country in passing defense.

Texas has turned out outstanding talent at the defensive back position, including Jim Thorpe Award winners Michael Huff and Aaron Ross, but the secondary as a whole struggled in 2006.

Griffin started 10 games at safety last year alongside his twin brother, Michael, who was a first-round draft pick of the Tennessee Titans. Michael was the more vocal of the two, but Marcus said he knows he must take on those qualities to help lead this year's team.

"I’m naturally a quiet person," said Griffin, who played through injuries to both ankles in 2006. "I’m used to my brother doing all the talking, but I’m going to have to start doing some of it now. When the younger guys have questions, it’s my job to answer those questions because they look up to me for help."

Kelson, who has played linebacker, safety and running back during his career at Texas, is back at safety for 2007.

"It’s been going well," said Kelson, who missed the first three games of 2006 with an ankle injury. "Like before, the muscle memory is a lot different than what it is at linebacker. We’re just working on getting my muscle memory back to doing things more consistently, but it’s definitely been going well."

Griffin and Kelson have seen their share of coaching changes at UT. Akina has been a constant presence, but co-defensive coordinators Greg Robinson and Gene Chizik have come and gone and new co-coordinator Larry Mac Duff is on board for this year. Sometimes that's part of the deal with being part of the "old ones", and Kelson said they've taken it in stride.

"Leadership is important for the entire team because you always have to bring up younger guys that will have to take over our positions when we leave," Kelson said. "Marcus [Griffin], Eric [Jackson], Brandon [Foster] and I are just trying to make sure that we bring up these guys in the right way and they know what it takes to get on the field."

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MARCUS GRIFFIN SAYS:

My playing style is: Aggressive and focused

For pregame, I like to: Pray and think about my assignments

Favorite movie: They Call Me Sir

Favorite actor: Denzel Washington

Favorite TV channel: ESPN

Sports hero: Michael Jordan

Favorite vehicle: Cadillac Escalade

Favorite superhero: Batman

Favorite cartoon character: Bugs Bunny

Nobody knows how much I like to: Be alone and think about life

The biggest influence on my football career is: My parents

If I were to play another sport it would be: Basketball, it was my first sport

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DREW KELSON SAYS:
My fantasy SportsCenter highlight is: Clip of me singing the national anthem before we play in the National Championship
The record I dream of breaking is: Most interceptions
Favorite movie: Purple Rain
The worst movie I ever saw was: Lady in the Water
Favorite actor: Terrence Howard
Favorite actress: Gabrielle Union
Nobody knows how much I like to: Sing
Favorite TV show: 24
Favorite musical groups: Musiq Soulchild, Alicia Keys
I'd like to star in a music video with: Missy Elliott
Favorite car: Range Rover
The biggest influence on my football career is: My dad
When I first met Coach Brown, I thought: Genuine, courteous, honest
I came to Texas because: Balance between academics, athletics and social life

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Photos of Marcus Griffin and Drew Kelson reprinted under fair use guidelines from Scout.com. "Marcus Griffin Says", "Drew Kelson Says" info and quotes from the UT Team Media Guide and press releases.