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Texas Football: 10 Longhorns that could go in the 2019 NFL Draft

By Andrew Miller

WACO, TX - OCTOBER 28: Breckyn Hager #44 of the Texas Longhorns tackles JaMycal Hasty #33 of the Baylor Bears in the first half at McLane Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Waco, Texas. Texas won 38-7. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
WACO, TX - OCTOBER 28: Breckyn Hager #44 of the Texas Longhorns tackles JaMycal Hasty #33 of the Baylor Bears in the first half at McLane Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Waco, Texas. Texas won 38-7. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /
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AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 21: Breckyn Hager #44 of the Texas Longhorns and Malcolm Roach #32 of the Texas Longhorns celebrate after sacking Mason Rudolph #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 21: Breckyn Hager #44 of the Texas Longhorns and Malcolm Roach #32 of the Texas Longhorns celebrate after sacking Mason Rudolph #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

The comparisons between a pass rusher like Texas redshirt senior defensive end Breckyn Hager and a current NFL standout like Clay Matthews of the Green Bay Packers have already started. Hager does have some serious speed and a consistent motor coming off the edge, but his stats did regress last season.

A main focus for Hager this season needs to be taking full advantage of the leadership role he’s likely to end up with throughout the course of the fall. Opposite Omenihu, Hager could be a real force along the Texas defensive line in both the pass rush and run defense.

There was some discussion surrounding the possibility of Hager declaring for the 2018 NFL Draft and leaving school one year early, but he decided to stay for his senior season. That was the best move for Hager, and could’ve been for someone like Malik Jefferson. But, with Jefferson’s decision in the books, Texas can easily make the best out of having Hager back on campus for one more year.

Getting back to that six sack mark that Hager had two seasons ago is more what fans should expect for the 2018 season. We should also expect his tackles for loss to get up into the double digits easily, similar to when he posted 13.5 back in 2016.

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