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There wasn’t much to like about how the Texas Longhorns opened the 2015 season. On the road against the No. 11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Charlie Strong led the Horns into South Bend and got beaten like a drum to the tune of a 38-3 blowout. The loss was an embarrassing start for Texas in year 2 under Strong who is looking to build some positive momentum within the program to avoid an uncomfortably warm seat next offseason. While there wasn’t a lot to feel good about Texas’ effort on Saturday, there was at least one bright spot that Strong can build on: the play of true freshman linebacker Malik Jefferson.
Jefferson was the crown jewel of the Horns’ 2015 recruiting class as the highest rated player to sign with Strong and come to Austin. He was seen as a building block for the kind of physical, playmaking defense that Strong wants to build at Texas and he showed on Saturday that he’s ready to take on that responsibility. He finished the day with nine tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss in his college football debut, displaying the poise of a player much more experienced than he is. Jefferson showed great instincts in reading and reacting to the play and was not at all bothered by the heat of the spotlight playing in South Bend on national television.
Texas has found itself the real deal at linebacker who can be a difference maker for years to come. He is as good as advertised and will only continue to get better. By the end of the year, he’ll make a strong argument for being one of the best linebackers in the Big 12 and should get serious consideration for All-Big 12 honors.
While the quarterback situation is still a mess in Austin and the offense searches for its identity heading into Week 2 at home against the Rice Owls, Longhorn fans can take a small bit of solace in the play of Malik Jefferson and the knowledge that Strong has found a foundation to build his defense on for years to come.
You can follow Tyler Brett on Twitter @ATylerBrett, on Facebook and on Google.
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