Texas Longhorns LB Malik Jefferson declares for NFL Draft
Texas Longhorns linebacker Malik Jefferson announced via The Players’ Tribune his plans to skip his senior season in Austin and enter the 2018 NFL Draft.
Texas LB @Official_MalikJ declares for the NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/bfHLDHUGiy
— The Players’ Tribune (@PlayersTribune) December 31, 2017
In the video, Jefferson says, “This is one of those decisions I have to make as a young man. It’s been a long process and a very difficult decision by leaving my teammates. They supported me in everything I did, but it’s a dream of mine and I appreciate them for all their support.”
Jefferson also made sure to thank his former coach Charlie Strong, who recruited the linebacker to Austin, and current coach Tom Herman for, “making me a great player.”
Malik Jefferson finished this season fourth in the Big 12 with 110 tackles, along with four sacks and 10 tackles for loss. He was named the Big 12’s co-Defensive Player of the Year, along with being named first-team All-Big 12, second-team All-American and a semifinalist for the 2017 Butkus Award recognizing the nation’s best linebacker.
“Draft gurus” have commented recently that Jefferson would benefit from another year in college, but said he certainly had the size (6’3”, 240) for the next level.
I’ve often figured one more year would do Malik Jefferson good. If he ends up as a mid-round pick, he might wonder “what if?”. First round picks with their guaranteed contracts are always given more slack from franchises who have more money invested in their top picks. The flip side is, if Jefferson can land himself several hundred thousand dollars guaranteed, it’s easy to understand the attractiveness of that, especially given how a football career can be gone in one freak injury.
Jefferson finishes his three-year career with 233 tackles, 158 solo tackles and 25.5 tackles for loss for the Texas Longhorns.
