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Another Texas Longhorns football star is headed to the NFL.
Following in the footsteps of safety DeShon Elliott, left tackle Connor Williams, cornerback Holton Hill, and punter Michael Dickson, junior linebacker Malik Jefferson will forego his senior season at Texas to declare for the NFL Draft.
Jefferson announced via a Players’ Tribune video on Sunday, thanking Charlie Strong, Tom Herman, and Texas fans in the video.
“It has been a long process and a very difficult decision by leaving my teammates,” Jefferson said. “But it’s a dream of mine, and I appreciate them for all their support.”
Texas LB @Official_MalikJ declares for the NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/bfHLDHUGiy
— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) December 31, 2017
The junior was one of the most noteworthy commitments in recent Longhorns football history, as he was ranked as the No. 10 composite player, No. 1 linebacker, and No. 1 player in Texas for the class of 2015.
Jefferson was a starter from his first game in burnt orange and white, but had his breakout season this year. Jefferson won Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year after amassing 110 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and four sacks on the season.
In his Longhorn career, The Predator recorded 231 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, and 13 sacks.