BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 09: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams during a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

The only rookie from the Texas football program that has played two preseason games this year is also showing out the best in safety DeShon Elliott.

In vying for a starting spot with the Baltimore Ravens, former Texas football All-American safety DeShon Elliott is really proving his worth to the coaching staff. As a sixth round pick for the Ravens, Elliott is showing that he could be the be value selection in the 2018 NFL Draft for this franchise.

The first set of game action in the 2018 NFL Preseason for Elliott with the Ravens came in the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 3. Baltimore took on the Chicago Bears and Elliott had four total tackles and one forced fumble in his debut. He would follow that up with another solid performance against an upstart Los Angeles Rams squad that has some high expectations this year.

In a dominant 33-7 victory over the Rams, Elliott racked up four solo tackles in limited playing time. That was a good enough effort from Elliott to actually lead all Ravens in solo tackles in that game. A trio of Baltimore quarterbacks ultimately helped push the Ravens to victory when it was all said and done.

Lamar Jackson, Joe Flacco, and Robert Griffin III all had at least one touchdown individually while the Ravens defense locked down the Rams. Although Elliott didn’t have any turnovers in this game, the playmaking ability he showed with the Longhorns over the past three years is shining through at the next level now.

Considering Elliott was a later round selection in the NFL Draft, this type of performance is exactly what’s needed for him to earn a starting role at some point soon. Elliott has three more shots in the preseason to prove his worth, coming against the Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, and Washington Redskins.

At this point, he’s likely to have a key roster spot given his standout showings through the first two preseason games and in training camp. However, he needs to keep up this momentum through the start of the regular season if John Harbaugh gives him the opportunity. The safety that racked up six interception in 2017 for the Horns is taking that star power to the Ravens’ defense through the start of the preseason.