Time, opportunity is now for Dallas Cowboys LB, former Texas draft bust Malik Jefferson

It’s been a long winding road for Dallas Cowboys linebacker Malik Jefferson since he was a can’t-miss prospect out of Mesquite Poteet High School.

Greatness was seemingly inevitable for Jefferson, who was built like a cyborg and ran like the wind.

Many major colleges wanted him before he landed at the University of Texas where he was named Big 12 Defensive Freshman of year and Co-Defensive Player of the Year as a Junior,

Then he declared for the NFL Draft.

And that’s when this rising star began to fizzle. A third-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018, Jefferson played in just 12 games and had three tackles as a rookie.

He was cut in camp in 2019 and signed with the Cleveland Browns. He played in nine games before being released and signing with the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad. He played 13 games with the Chargers in 2020 but spent most of the 2021 season on the Indianapolis Colts practice squad.

He returned home to Dallas a member of the Cowboys practice squad in 2022. He began 2023 on the practice squad as well.

This was not the homecoming Jefferson and his family envisioned and dreamed about.

But Jefferson stayed patient.

He earned the respect of his teammates and coaches with his work ethic and professionalism.

“A pro. Very consistent. Commands respect,” said Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy when asked about Jefferson. “As a veteran, when you’re in his position, I think it speaks volumes to him as an individual. So he’s very well respected in linebacker, defense and special team room. He gives us good versatility.”

After being elevated from the practice squad in the roster the past two weeks to help out on special teams, Jefferson will get a chance to contribute to the regular defense Monday night against the Chargers as part of the plan to help replace the injured Leighton Vander Esch, who was officially placed on injured reserve with a neck injury.

Jefferson wishes nothing but the best for Vander Esch and hopes he returns soon. But he can’t hide his excitement about the opportunity before him.

“Yes, it was nothing but excitement for myself, my family,” Jefferson said. “I’ve been working really hard staying resilient. I knew this moment happened eventually. I just got to go out there and prove it to myself and then prove to it God. It’s been him and I this while time. Everybody else can just sit back and watch.”

It’s his time and his opportunity that may be go as fast as it came if he doesn’t make the most of it.

The Cowboys signed veteran linebacker Rashaan Evans to practice squad this week as a possible answer for Vander Esch. But Evans was not elevated for the Chargers game.

Jefferson is out of elevations after this game and must be signed to the active roster next week.

How he plays against the Chargers will certainly have an impact on that decision.

This is all part of Jefferson’s journey and he understands what’s at stake.

“Yeah, it’s weird because I know everybody has their finger on me,” Jefferson said. “But me as a player, I’ve done but sit back and evolve. I’ve just been waiting for this moment. So every chance every opportunity I get want to take advantage of it.”