Oklahoma sophomore cornerback Derrick Strait had plenty of reasons to pop off when he visited his hometown of Austin, Texas, after last season.

He could have gloated about the Sooners' 63-14 win over Texas, could have brought up OU's 13-2 victory over Florida State for the national title, could have mentioned his personal awards such as being the Big 12 defensive newcomer of the year and a Freshman All-American.

He did none of the above. Why?

"I really didn't have to say anything," Strait said. "Everybody already knew."

The hometown Texas Longhorns know Strait from his playing days at Austin's Lanier High School. Trouble was, UT coaches had filled their need at defensive back. Strait's prep coach Wade Johnston called former UT assistant Bobby Jack Wright and begged him to take a look at Strait, who played quarterback, running back and defensive back.

"What the heck, why not?" Wright said.

"Their loss is our gain, I guess," OU co-defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said smiling.

Strait redshirted as a freshman, but the Sooners knew they had something special.

"He drove us crazy on scout teams," OU coach Bob Stoops said.

Mike Stoops compares the 5-11, 200-pound Strait to former Kansas State All-American Chris Canty, now with the New Orleans Saints.

"He's built a lot like him (Canty), plays like him. He's tough," Stoops said.

Strait's redshirt freshman heroics included batting down a last-ditch, alley-oop pass to 6-5 Oklahoma State tight end Marcellus Rivers that preserved the Sooners' 12-7 survival mission in Stillwater.

Strait also had a 32-yard interception return for a touchdown against top-ranked Nebraska.

When Strait visits Austin, it's to be with family and friends.

"A lot of people said they were proud of me," Strait said. "There's no hard feelings or anything like that. They just missed their opportunity."

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