SAN DIEGO – In the two games that have come to define Texas' 2005 national championship season – against Ohio State and USC – there may have been no bigger playmaker on defense than linebacker Drew Kelson.

Against Ohio State, Kelson recorded four tackles, a sack, three pass break-ups, and he forced a late-game fumble that helped UT seal a 25-22 victory. Against the Trojans, Kelson ran stride-for-stride with Reggie Bush on a pass route, breaking up the attempt and nearly intercepting it. He also forced a fumble that helped Texas shock USC, 41-38.

Then, Kelson disappeared. An injured ankle in 2006 and a move back to safety this season resulted in almost no playing time the last two years.

But a chance meeting with Marcus Wilkins, a former Longhorn who never started a college game but is now six years into an NFL career, has given Kelson hope of playing football after Thursday's Pacific Life Holiday Bowl against Arizona State.

Even before the season, co-defensive coordinator Duane Akina said Kelson was too far behind in coverage skills after two years at linebacker to be an every-down defensive back. But depth at linebacker and almost none at safety prompted the move.

"I could go back and say, 'What if I would have done this or that?' But I've never thought about doing anything else," said Kelson, who is expected to play Thursday after missing two games with a knee injury.

"When I was playing linebacker, I thought it was the best decision. Playing safety, I thought it was the best decision. I wouldn't change a thing."

Kelson, a Parade All-America safety at Houston Lamar and one of the top recruits in the country, bumped into Wilkins in Austin last summer.

Wilkins, of Austin Westwood, was Mack Brown's first oral commitment as coach at Texas in 1998. He is now a special teams ace for the Atlanta Falcons after spending two years with Green Bay and three with Cincinnati.

Wilkins, a 6-2, 233-pound linebacker, was able to blow NFL scouts away at Texas' pro timing day by running a 4.42 40-yard dash and posting a 42-inch vertical jump despite never starting a single game in four years with the Longhorns.

"I was looking for my senior year at Texas to be a breakout year at linebacker," Wilkins said. "Then, they moved me to defensive end. That really tested me. I was able to keep a positive head through the whole situation. I didn't get to play much my senior year, but when the pro scouts showed up, I was prepared."

Kelson said bumping into Wilkins last summer helped build his resolve to keep a positive attitude even though he was changing positions for the third time in four years.

"We never looked at each other and said, 'Oh, you're in my situation,' " Kelson said. "It was just understood that Marcus was a guy – no matter what your situation was – if you work hard and God willing, you can pursue your dreams. I mean, he hardly had any film of his time at Texas and he's already earned his NFL pension [after five seasons]."

Wilkins said he has had only one conversation with Mack Brown since leaving Texas.

FILE PHOTO 2005

Texas linebacker Drew Kelson (right) forces a fumble in UT's 25-22 win over Ohio State in 2005.

"The first time I saw him after I made the Packers' roster, he sat me down and said, 'Congratulations on making it to the NFL. You can do this for a couple years and then you can go do something else,' " Wilkins said.

"Six years later, I continue to prove all the doubters wrong. It probably doesn't motivate me as much as people would think, but it is part of my motivation. Despite whatever you do, there's always going to be people who think they know a little bit more about you than you do."

Brown said he is proud of Wilkins.

"I think Marcus' athleticism and maturity have allowed him to be successful," Brown said.

Wilkins said he has no hard feelings toward Brown or his position coaches at Texas. In fact, Wilkins says he'd be glad to come back and talk to UT players about staying positive while waiting for their turn. He said his move to defensive end, which he thought to be a slap in the face initially, ended up helping him in the NFL.

"When I was in Green Bay as a rookie, the way I got on the field was rushing the passer," Wilkins said. "So it helped me to be able to play a couple positions."

Kelson, too, is hoping experience at linebacker and safety will help him. Kelson said Wilkins has also reinforced the importance of being a good special teams player in college.

"The thing I have benefited most from being here and moving around so much is I do have a diverse portfolio," Kelson said. "Honestly, that will help. I've done all types of special teams, safety, linebacker. I'm open to doing anything. I never limit myself to doing one thing."

Teammates and coaches say Kelson's athleticism and maturity will also give him a chance to make it in the NFL.

"His maturity level, his unselfishness, his character – you can build an entire team based on the examples Drew Kelson has come up with," Akina said.

Added defensive tackle Frank Okam of Lake Highlands, one of Kelson's best friends: "If anyone has a reason to complain about not playing, it's Drew. He's an unbelievable playmaker. We saw that against Ohio State, USC and all through 2005. But he's never made it about himself. He's just encouraged everyone else."

Wilkins shared some key advice with Kelson.

"Don't let anyone else decide what you're going to be," Wilkins said. "Even if you're not starting, it still doesn't mean that they are writing your future.

"Whether it be coaches or your peers or some newscaster, don't let anybody decide what it is you're going to do. Up until that last second, it's up to you to keep preparing and working hard. Hard work can overcome quite a bit."

School: Texas

Position: Safety

Height/Weight: 6-2/215

High school: Houston Lamar

Notable: Graduated in three and a half years with a degree in corporate communications after maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA in high school. ... Moved from safety to running back as a freshman, then moved to linebacker as a sophomore and junior before moving back to safety for his senior season. ... Leads UT in solo special teams tackles with eight. ... Has played in 42 games, starting four. ... Hopes to run a 4.4 in the 40 for scouts at UT's pro timing day.

Pacific Life Holiday Bowl: No. 17 Texas (9-3) vs. No. 12 Arizona State (10-2), 7 p.m. Thursday, San Diego (ESPN)