Texas Football: 3 former Longhorns who left too early for NFL Draft
2. player. 56. Scouting Report. Linebacker. 2015-2017. Pick Analysis. Malik Jefferson
A very solid career on the Forty Acres didn’t translate to much of any success right away for the former Longhorns All-American linebacker and the former top ranked outside linebacker recruit in the nation, Malik Jefferson. A versatile skill set and explosive motor that could often blow up opposing ball carriers in the backfield looked to be a good fit at the next level.
Things were trending in the right direction for Jefferson during his junior season in college. He was becoming more well-rounded than ever before, under the direction of then first-year head coach Tom Herman and defensive coordinator Todd Orlando. Jefferson registered 110 total tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss, and 4.0 sacks, in the 2017 season.
Throughout the entirety of his college career, Jefferson raked in 231 total tackles, 26.0 tackles for loss, 13.0 sacks, five pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery (which was taken back for a touchdown). Those efforts would earn him Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2017 and Second-Team AP All-American selection.
Jefferson was a third round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2018 NFL Draft. He was one of the first former Longhorns off the board in that draft. The Bengals would only see Jefferson play in 12 games with them before he was released. Most of his contributions with the Bengals came on special teams too. He has since been a part of two different teams, including the Cleveland Browns and now the Los Angeles Chargers.