Texas Longhorns defensive tackle Brown pondering NFL Draft

Texas defensive tackle Malcom Brown, a first-team All-Big 12 performer and finalist for the 2104 Outland Trophy, will request an evaluation from NFL officials after the Longhorns’ bowl game and said the feedback will determine if he returns for his senior season.

“If I have to come back for another year, I will. If I need to declare for the draft, I will,” Brown said during a Wednesday news conference in conjunction with the awards presentation during The Home Depot College Football Awards, which will air at 6 p.m. Thursday on ESPN. “I’m just trying to finish this season up with a bang.”

Brown, also a finalist for the 2014 Nagurski Award that went to Arizona linebacker Scooby Wright, made it clear his projected draft placement from NFL evaluators will determine his move. But he stopped short of saying a first-round grade would trigger an early departure.

“I don’t know yet,” Brown said. “When the season’s over with, I’ll sit down with my coaches and see what they think about it and see where I sit [with NFL evaluators]. If it’s there, it’s there.”

Brown (6-foot-4, 320 pounds) has made 64 tackles for the Longhorns (6-6) heading into the team’s Dec. 29 matchup against Arkansas (6-6) in the Texas Bowl.

A junior from Brenham, Brown has 14 tackles for losses, 6.5 sacks and has forced two fumbles this season. He joins Auburn center Reese Dismukes and Iowa offensive tackle Brandon Scherff as the finalists for the 2014 Outland Trophy.

The Outland will be one of nine awards presented during Thursday’s telecast.

Patterson honored

TCU coach Gary Patterson has won the 2014 Home Depot Coach of the Year Award and will receive his honor during the telecast.

Patterson led the Horned Frogs (11-1) to a share of the Big 12 title, a No. 6 finish in the College Football Playoff rankings and a berth in the Dec. 31 Peach Bowl against No. 9 Ole Miss (9-3).

In addition, officials announced that Florida State tight end Nick O’Leary has won the 2014 John Mackey Award, given to the top tight end in college football.

Boykin flight delayed

TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin and Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott, two of the three finalists for the 2014 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award, missed Wednesday’s news conference because of travel-related issues. An ESPN spokesman said Boykin’s original flight was canceled and he was rebooked on a later flight.

Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota was the only O’Brien finalist who made it to Wednesday’s news conference without travel-related issues.

Feeling their pain

Alabama safety Landon Collins said players from the top-ranked Crimson Tide (12-1) had been tracking TCU as a possible playoff opponent and were surprised when the Frogs fell from No. 3 to No. 6 in the CFP final rankings despite a 55-3 victory over Iowa State. No. 4 Ohio State (12-1) joined the playoff mix as Alabama’s opponent in the Sugar Bowl.

“We were very surprised. We were shocked,” said Collins, who acknowledged he felt empathy for what the Frogs experienced.

“I would be upset because they had an outstanding season. They played tough,” Collins said. “They did everything they could do. And they got pushed out of the bracket. I’d be very upset if I was that team.”

Seeking out RG3

Mariota, the lone quarterback among three finalists invited to participate in Saturday’s 2014 Heisman Trophy presentation, cited 2011 recipient Robert Griffin III as the past Heisman winner he is most eager to meet during festivities related to the award. Griffin, a former Baylor standout, plays for the Washington Redskins.

“I would like to meet Robert Griffin to learn about his transition into the NFL and what it’s like to go through a little adversity,” Mariota said.

This story was originally published December 10, 2014 at 9:05 PM with the headline "Texas Longhorns defensive tackle Brown pondering NFL Draft."