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The Texas Longhorns will be without another key contributor on Saturday in Manhattan against the Kansas State Wildcats – and for the remainder of the decision – as junior safety Caden Sterns said so for the 2021 NFL Draft and chose not to participate in the rest of the season, the school announced Monday.
“Longhorn Nation, thank you for the endless support the past three years on and off the field, especially in 2020 which has been a difficult and trying time for all of us,” Sterns said in a statement released by the school. “After much thought and prayer, I have come to the decision that it is time for me to follow my lifelong dream and declare myself for the 2021 NFL Draft. With that, I will forfeit the rest of my eligibility. , but I will always consider my time in Austin to be one of the best years of my life, especially with my teammates who have become my brothers. I want to thank Coach Herman, Coach Ash and all of my coaches for guiding me to take my game to the next level and all they have done for me throughout my career at UT. Above all, I want to thank my family for all of their support as I begin this next chapter. I couldn’t be more excited about what the future holds and I will always be a Longhorn at heart. Hang them up! “
The 6’1, 207-pounder becomes the second Texas player to leave the program at the start of the last two days. Red-shirted junior left tackle Sam Cosmi stepped down on Sunday and declared himself for the 2021 NFL Draft.
At the start of the season, Sterns was seen as a potential first-round pick, but that calculation was based on the assumption that Cibolo Steele would build on the promise he had shown as a rookie.
It never happened.
In 2018, Sterns was named the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and First Team All-Big 12 after leading the team and equaling the school’s freshman record with four interceptions. Starting in all 13 games, Sterns recorded 62 tackles, three tackles for a loss, one sack and four breakouts.
Then injuries helped derail the second season for Sterns – he suffered a sprained ankle in preseason camp, then a knee injury that cost him four games. When Sterns was available, he wasn’t as punchy, failing to register an interception.
Likewise, a turf toe injury this year cost him the game against Baylor. And again, Sterns has not been able to replicate his first season. He’s got one interception, 1.5 tackles for a loss and three break-ups, but he didn’t put anything on the film to suggest he would even go early on Day 2 if he declares himself for the NFL Draft.
Technically, the Montrell Estell junior red shirt is listed as Sterns’ backup on the depth card, but junior BJ Foster has been third in the rotation this season.
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