Texas safety Caden Sterns is the second Longhorns captain to opt out of the final two games of the 2020 season, according to multiple reports. 

Sterns came to Austin among the best-regarded defensive back prospects in Texas history, ranking as a consensus 5-star prospect. He earned Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors after posting 62 tackles, four interceptions and three tackles for loss in 2018. He looked on his way to stardom with the Longhorns. 

Unfortunately, injuries and bad scheme fits robbed him of that same impact his final two seasons. He finished his career at Texas with 173 tackles, eight passes defended and five interceptions. 

Sterns is regarded as a controversial NFL Draft prospect. At one point he was considered a candidate for the first round, but it's unclear whether teams will weight the potential he showed his freshman year or the struggles of his final two seasons. Sterns also has the option of returning to the 40 Acres in 2021. 

The junior Sterns joins offensive tackle Sam Cosmi as Texas captains to opt out of the final two games of the 2020 season. The timing comes as Texas is all but eliminated from Big 12 Championship contention after losing to Iowa State on a last-second missed field goal. 

Sterns comes from a very athletic family. Older brother Jordan Sterns starred at Oklahoma State and played in the NFL. Younger brothers Jerreth and Josh Sterns combined for nearly 900 yards and eight touchdowns for Houston Baptist in four games this season.