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Expect more Texas Longhorns to officially declare for the 2018 NFL Draft, as Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller reported on Tuesday that linebacker Malik Jefferson and safety DeShon Elliott also plan to leave early.
Like left tackle Connor Williams, who officially announced his departure from the ‘Horns on Monday, Jefferson and Elliott won’t participate in the Texas bowl game.
For what it’s worth, Jefferson denied that he’s made a decision:
I have not made a decision. My family and I are discussing my choices moving forward, thank you.
— Malik Jefferson (@Official_MalikJ) November 28, 2017
However, the word is clearly getting out in agent circles that Jefferson is looking for someone to represent him at the next level.
Jefferson finished the season with 110 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, four sacks, and five quarterback hurries in his most complete season in college. A Thorpe Award finalist, Elliott finished second on the team behind Jefferson in tackles with 63, while also adding 8.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, six interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), nine passes broken up, and three forced fumbles.
The losses would further deplete a team that just lost a contributor at H-back on Monday on top of a string of injuries that have especially impacted that position and the offensive line.