Linebacker Malik Jefferson is coming back to the DFW. The former Texas standout and native of Mesquite, TX has reportedly signed with the Dallas Cowboys with their 2022 training camp just two weeks away.
Jefferson was among several players who worked out for Dallas last Friday. He was a 3rd-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals back in 2018 and has spent most of the last three seasons bouncing around various NFL practice squads.
From 2015-2017, Jefferson was a star linebacker for the Longhorns. He earned Big 12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman All-American honors in his first season. As a junior in 2017, Malik was named a Second-team All-American, First-team All-Big 12, and the Big 12’s Co-Defensive Player of the Year.
A foot injury cut Jefferson’s rookie season in Cincinnati to just 10 games and stifled his development. He didn’t make the team’s roster in 2019 and has spent time with the Browns, Titans, Chargers, and Colts since.
While we may dubious about his potential now after four seasons, Jefferson does bring some professional experience and athletic skills to a position in dire need. The Cowboys will be missing 5th-round rookie Damone Clark and will likely be working Jabril Cox back slowly. Veteran Devante Bond was recently lost to an ACL tear.
If Malik can recapture the skills that made him a Day 2 pick in 2018 then he has a real opportunity to contribute to Dallas now. While they certainly need camp bodies, there are several spots up for grabs on the bottom half of the LB depth chart.
If nothing else, Texas fans will enjoy seeing a recent stud from their favorite college team fighting for a spot with their favorite pro team.
