When the Denver Broncos take the field Thursday night, six former Texas high school football players will be among them. Some of Texas’s most decorated athletes are now clad in orange and blue. In fact, so strong are the Texas roots in Denver that a Houstonite leads the team.
Head Coach Gary Kubiak played quarterback and set records for Houston’s Pius X High School. He was named All-State and was inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame. Following high school, he was named All-Southwest Conference as quarterback for Texas A&M. It was quickly after his collegiate career that Kubiak began his relationship with the Bronco’s organization. He was drafted by the team in the eighth round of the 1983 draft and served as backup quarterback for Bronco’s owner, John Elway. He remained on Denver’s roster until 1991.
In 1992, he joined the Texas A&M coaching staff for one year before transitioning to coaching in the NFL. He spent time on staff with the Broncos from 1995-2005, then left for a short stint, and returned in 2015 as the team’s head coach.
The Denver Broncos will be playing this week without the leadership of their head coach. Kubiak will not be making the trip to San Diego due to being hospitalized for severe migraines. While he was released from the hospital earlier this week, Joe DeCamillis will assume the head coach spot in Kubiak’s absence. Kubiak also faced health issues while coaching the Houston Texans when he suffered a mini-stroke in 2013.
Von Miller was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for September and heads into tonight’s game with 20 tackles and six sacks this season. Currently holding 66.5 for the team, he is on track to exceed Simon Fletcher’s all-time team sack record of 97.5.
Miller represents the Desoto Eagles. During his senior year in 2007, he made 76 tackles and six sacks. It is no surprise that he was honored as District MVP. Miller was heavily recruited but chose to spend his collegiate career with the Texas A&M Aggies where he was awarded the Butkus Award; an award presented to the best linebacker in the nation. Miller was the number two overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft and has spent the entirety of his professional career with the Broncos. Already, he is incredibly decorated in the League. He’s been named to the Pro Bowl four times as well as Super Bowl MVP in 2016 after the Broncos defeated Carolina.
Emmanuel Sanders has caught 32 passes for a total of 373 yards and 3 touchdowns this season. His self-proclaimed “perfect 10” cartwheel penalized for excessive celebration might also be something to add to his unofficial stats. Sanders hails from Bellville High School. During his high school career, he was the epitome of trifecta being named First-Team All-District running back, wide receiver and safety. During his senior year, he rushed for a total of 499 yards, six touchdowns and 24 catches for 414 yards. He was the team’s MVP and was awarded Tri-County Offensive Player of the Year. Sanders attended Southern Methodist University where he was named All-Conference. He was drafted by the Steelers in round three of the 2010 draft and went on to sign with Broncos in 2014.
Aqib Talib has already racked up 13 tackles and three interceptions this season. He’s also caused quite a stir lately in response to Donald Trump’s “locker room conversation” comment by sharing that the Broncos talk about everything in the locker room.
Talib comes from Richardson-Berkner High School in Richardson. As a high school athlete, he was named First-Team All-District, First-Team All-City and Berkner High School Defensive Back of the Year. Talib spent his collegiate career with the Kansas Jayhawks. During his time at KU, he was named All-American as well as MVP of the 2008 Orange Bowl. Talib was the 20th pick in the first round of the 2008 draft. He spent time with the Buccaneers and the Patriots prior to joining the Broncos in 2014.
Corey Nelson, inside linebacker, hails from Dallas Skyline. During his high school career, he racked up 133 tackles and nine sacks. He was named 5A Player of the Year, AP 5A Defensive Player of the Year, and Under Armour All-American among many other awards. Upon graduation in 2010, Nelson joined the Oklahoma Sooners where he played all 14 games as a true freshman. He remains number two in single-season sacks for the Sooners. Nelson was drafted in the seventh round of the 2014 draft.
Russell Okung, offensive tackle, is a 2006 graduate of Richmond-Bush High School in Fort Bend. During his high school career, he was named First-Team All-Greater Houston as well as First-Team All-District. Okung proceeded to Oklahoma State where was named Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the year and All-American. During his collegiate career, he started 47 consecutive games. Okung was drafted number six in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He earned his first Super Bowl ring with Seahawks in 2013. This is Okung’s first season with the Broncos.
Jordan Taylor, wide receiver, spent his high school career playing quarterback for Denison High. While there, he passed for 3,766 yards, 40 touchdowns and ran 2,500 yards for 39 touchdowns. His impressive performance earned him All-State and a trip to the 4A Division 2 semifinals. Taylor went on to play wide receiver for the Rice Owls. While at Rice, he was named Second-Team All Conference USA. He joined the Broncos in 2015.
The Broncos started the season with a four-game win streak that was ended in a 23-16 lost last week to the Atlanta Falcons. They face the San Diego Chargers (1-4) and will likely be one game closer to assuming the first place spot in the AFC West.
