The NFL and its teams, coaches and scouts will now have to worry about confusing Malcom Brown with Malcolm Brown.
After three years together in Austin as members of the Texas Longhorns, the defensive tackle and running back will be in the same draft class.
For Malcolm Brown (the running back), the senior would naturally be a part of the 2015 NFL draft class. However, the inclusion of Malcom Brown (the defensive tackle) wasn’t guaranteed.
After a sensational junior campaign, Malcom Brown decided to forgo his senior season in Austin to join the professional ranks.
“Coach (Chris) Rumph talked to me right after the (Texas Bowl), and I talked to my wife about it,” Brown said in an official release from the school. “Then I went and saw Coach (Charlie) Strong yesterday, and we had a good talk about it. I decided to enter the 2015 Draft, and that’s what everyone thinks is best.
The defensive lineman was named a Walter Camp All American after the 2014 season. Six different media outlets also awarded Malcom Brown with All American honors. He was even a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (top defensive player) and the Outland Trophy (top interior lineman).
“Malcom had an unbelievable season and was a lot of fun to coach,” Texas head coach Charlie Strong said. “He’s a tremendous football player and a great young man who has a really bright future ahead of him. I know the decision was a difficult one, but we had some really good talks. He has our support and we wish him the best as he prepares for the NFL.”
Malcom Brown led the Longhorns in 2014 with 15 tackles for loss, six sacks and eight quarterback hits. Over the past two seasons, the defensive lineman started 25 straight games and played in all 36 games of his collegiate career.
The defensive lineman is generally viewed as a first-round talent and one of the top defensive tackles in the upcoming class.