Linebacker Malik Jefferson is heading home to Dallas- Fort Worth to continue his NFL journey. A few days after working out with the Dallas Cowboys, Jefferson will join “America’s Team.”
Jefferson provides depth to the linebacker position, an area where Dallas has been hit with injuries. The Cowboys start training camp without LBs Jabril Cox, Devonte Bard, and fifth-round pick Damone Clark.
Dallas released running back JaQuan Hardy to make room on the roster for the former Texas Longhorn. Hardy spent the majority of his Cowboys tenure on the practice squad but suited up for the final three games of the 2021 campaign. The former HBO Hard Knocks star scored his first career touchdown in the season finale. His TD set an NFL record with 22 different players on one team to score a touchdown.
Former Longhorns LB Malik Jefferson has signed with the Cowboys, multiple sources confirm to @usatodaysports. 2018 third-round pick has played 35 games across stints with Bengals, Browns, Colts, Chargers. Now, an opportunity with his hometown team in Dan Quinn's defense. pic.twitter.com/3ZSZIP1q4l
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) July 14, 2022
Malik Jefferson Was a Beast in College
Born and raised in Texas, Jefferson played high school football at Mesquite Poteet before continuing his athletic career at the University of Texas.
In his first year with the Longhorns, the LB compiled 61 tackles with 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery for a TD. He earned Big 12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman All-American honors.
Jefferson put together a big year in his junior season, recording 110 tackles, along with 10 tackles for loss and four sacks. His performance awarded him a Second-team All-American selection, First-team All-Big 12, and the Big 12’s Co-Defensive Player of the Year.
Dallas Cowboys veteran free agents signed this offseason:
– WR James Washington
– DE Dante Fowler Jr.
– RB Ryan Nall
– K Lirim Hajrullahu
– LB Christian Sam
– LB Malik Jefferson https://t.co/tfgRSCU4ef— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) July 14, 2022
Quite the NFL Journey for Malik Jefferson
After the 2017-18 year, Jefferson declared for the 2018 NFL draft, forgoing his senior year. The Cincinnati Bengals picked up the college star in the third round. A foot injury limited his rookie year to 12 games, and he did not make the roster in 2019.
Jefferson spent the last three seasons with four teams, including two stints with the Los Angeles Chargers. He joined the Browns, Titans, and Colts during that time frame.
If Malik Jefferson regathers the skills he displayed in college, he will have the opportunity to contribute to Dallas. With the lack of LB depth, the door is open for Jefferson to step up and refresh his NFL career. The best part? Why not attempt to make a name for yourself in your hometown?
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