So long, Big Malcom.
The Texas Longhorns will be without Malcolm Brown and Malcom Brown next season, as the junior defensive tackle from Brenham has declared for the 2015 NFL Draft on the heels of a Tuesday report from Orangebloods that he was expected to forego his senior season of eligibility:
DT Malcom Brown has informed Charlie Strong he will enter NFL Draft. The projected 1st-rounder speaks with @SlaterESPN on LE tonight.
— Longhorn Network (@LonghornNetwork) January 8, 2015
"Coach (Chris) Rumph talked to me right after the (Texas Bowl), and I talked to my wife about it," Brown said in a release from the school. "Then I went and saw Coach (Charlie) Strong yesterday, and we had a good talk about it. I decided to enter the 2015 Draft, and that's what everyone thinks is best."
"It wasn't an easy decision because a lot went into it. My wife has school, I have school, and moving the kids around. I got everyone's input on it, but at the end of the day, it's my decision and that's what I came to."
With the aforementioned wife and two kids, as well as impressive junior film that helped him become a finalist for the Nagurski (top defensive player) and Outland Awards (top interior lineman) this season, it was long expected that the 6'2, 320-pounder would declare early.
Both before and after the Texas Bowl loss, Brown was insistent that he hadn't yet made a decision and it's not hard to believe that was actually the case until he received his draft evaluation. Brown had said that he would leave if he got a draft grade in the first or second round.
It appears that was the case as Brown has risen in mock drafts and draft rankings around the country as analysts have taken note of his impressive junior season. Now ranked No. 25 overall by CBS Sports, one draft analyst by that publication has Brown coming off the board to the San Francisco 49ers with the No. 15 pick, while the other CBS draft analyst has Brown going No. 29 to the Green Bay Packers.
The last SB Nation rankings at defensive tackle had Brown as the No. 6 prospect at that position, but those rankings haven't been updated since early December.
Back in November, head coach Charlie Strong praised Brown for his consistent effort level in practice and his understanding of the game.
"He's fun to watch, but that's the way he practices," Strong said. "He takes it from practice to the game, and the same thing happens at practice. He's a student -- he's one of those guys that listens. Even during the game he'll come back and say, 'Hey, listen, when that guy checks, this is what it is, this is the run play it is. Or when he checks this, this is a pass play.' He's always talking and communicating on the sideline. He works, and that's the respect that the players give him because he works so hard."
So Brown possesses as much football savvy as he does natural ability and he has a lot of natural ability.
The big defensive tackle ended the final season of his Texas career with 70 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, seven quarterback hurries, and two forced fumbles. The 70 tackles ranked fifth on the team, while his tackles for loss and sacks set the pace for the Longhorns.
He was the first Texas defensive tackle to lead the team in those latter two categories since Tony DeGrate in 1984.
He's also a Lifetime Longhorn and should receive no ill will from Texas fans as a result of his decision.
Hook 'em, big fella, and go get that money you richly deserve.