AUSTIN, Texas – Sophomore linebacker Malik Jefferson (Mesquite, Texas) has been named to the 2016 Preseason Watch List for the Bednarik Award, given annually to the nation's top defensive player. He was also named a first team Preseason All-American by Sporting News on Friday.
The preseason honors come on the heels of a standout freshman season. Jefferson, who was selected as a freshman All-American a season ago by the Football Writers Associaton of America, Sporting News and USA Today, played in 11 games for the Longhorns. He started nine games, finishing the season with 61 tackles, six quarterback pressures and seven tackles for loss, earning the Big 12 Conference's Defensive Freshman of the Year honors.