Texas All-American linebacker Malik Jefferson is making himself eligible for the 2018 NFL Draft.

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Jefferson released video via The Players’ Tribune on Sunday to announce his intention to forgo his senior season. In the video, Jefferson thanked his Texas teammates for supporting his decision to leave the Texas program with one year of eligibility remaining.

“It’s been a long process and a very difficult decision by leaving my teammates,” Jefferson said. “They supported me in everything I did, but it’s a dream of mine and I appreciate all the support.”

Texas LB @Official_MalikJ declares for the NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/bfHLDHUGiy — The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) December 31, 2017

Jefferson opened the video by thanking several people and groups of people, including both Charlie Strong and Tom Herman:

“First of all, I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to play this great sport. Philippians 4:13 says ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’ and this is one of those decisions that I have to make as a young man. I also want to thank the coaches that have been in my life who have been a great motivation and a great influence on me. I want to thank Coach Strong for bringing me in 2015 and allowing me to create this recruiting class with my brothers that I still band with to this day. And Coach Herman for coming and finishing that out with me and making me a great player. I also want to thank family and friends. It’s been a hard process, but my family has been right there next to me every second of the way, and my friends also have always supported me and had my back. I also want to thank the fans. The fans are very important. On game days it’s very hard sometimes, but y’all bring a lot of energy and crowd noise and I appreciate that a lot.”

Jefferson declaring for the draft makes him the fifth Texas underclassman to head off to the NFL a year early. Joining Jefferson in the 2018 NFL Draft pool among the Texas juniors will be punter Michael Dickson, safety DeShon Elliott, cornerback Holton Hill and offensive tackle Connor Williams.

Jefferson led a much-improved Texas defense in tackles (110) and tackles for loss (10) in 2017. As a junior, Jefferson tied for the team lead with four sacks and six quarterback hurries.

Jefferson was a second-team All-American selection by both the Associated Press and the Sporting News. Along with being a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, Jefferson was named the co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year by the league's coaches.

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