Texas Longhorns

What does Malik Jefferson have against Vince Young? (Video)

Published Sep. 17, 2015 3:35 p.m. ET

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In a recent sit-down interview with Longhorn Network, Texas freshman linebacker Malik Jefferson said of Longhorn legend Vince Young: "No offense to him, but we've got to get his name out of here."

What does young Jefferson, with all of two collegiate starts under his belt, have against one of the all-time great players in Texas football history, the lone quarterback since 1970 to lead the program to a national championship?

It's nothing personal, assures Jefferson, who says Young, who works for the university, has taken him under his wing. Jefferson just wants the Longhorns program and its fans to stop living in the past and embrace a bright, adventurous future.

"That man still hangs everywhere. It's the truth," Jefferson says of Young in the interview. "And that has nothing against him because he still is 'The Man' around here, that's facts, and that's so much respect coming out of my mouth ... But we just have to get his name out of here because we haven't made the change yet, and somebody has to put their foot down one day and make a change."

Young's exploits at Texas will never be forgotten, nor should they, but Jefferson makes a salient point, especially for a newcomer. The Texas program experienced a few more great years following Young's championship season, culminating in 2009 with Colt McCoy's Horns losing to Alabama in the BCS championship game.

But complacency set in and former coach Mack Brown lost his enthusiasm as the Texas program lost its edge in his final years as the program began to tailspin. Brown was ushered out after 16 years following the 2013 season. Charlie Strong is in his second season of a true rebuilding effort.

All Jefferson is saying is that it's time to put the successes of a player and a program of a decade ago in the museum, and begin to make a name for themselves.

So far, the prized recruit of Strong's 2015 class is showing he might be every bit the leader as the Horns' championship quarterback was in his day. 

(h/t Longhorn Nation)

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