An emerging Texas Longhorns defensive line took a hit on Saturday against the Iowa State Cyclones when freshman Jordan Elliott left the game in the second half.
According to a report from Inside Texas, Elliott will miss the rest of the season with a torn MCL. During the weekly Monday media availability, head coach Charlie Strong confirmed that Elliott is suffering from an MCL issue and ruled him out against Kansas State this weekend, but said that he will continue to receive evaluation from the medical staff.
The 2016 US Army All-American committed to the Longhorns on National Signing Day after previously pledging to three schools before spending the offseason working on his trademark quickness.
Now a learn 6’4 and 318 pounds, Elliott quickly earned playing time in the season opener working as a defensive end in head coach Charlie Strong’s odd front.
“We moved Jordan Elliott outside somewhere around the second week of a two-a day camp,” former defensive coordinator Vance Bedford said in early September. “He likes it out there on the edge.”
The former consensus four-star prospect quickly made his presence felt, stacking and shedding the Notre Dame All-American left tackle for his first collegiate stop.
“On one play, even though he’s a freshman and 315 pounds, he hit one of those offensive tackles and knocked him back five yards. He doesn’t know how good he can be.”
Disciplinary issues kept Elliott out of the game against Cal, but he made two stops against Oklahoma and emerged against Iowa State with the first sack of his career.
“He has the potential, which is a dangerous word, to be an extremely good football player, a dominant defensive lineman,” Bedford said. “He’s not there right now, but once he wakes up, and starts believing the things we say to him, he can be really special.”
Unfortunately, it now appears that Elliott may have to wait until next season to get back to fulfilling that potential on the field.