The Texas Longhorns announced today that senior wide receiver, DeSean Hales, will forego his final year of eligibility in order to focus on the three classes he needs to graduate later this fall.
Hales will remain with the team as a student coach.
Over his career with the Longhorns, Hales has played in 31 games in three seasons, both on offense as well as special teams. Last season, he played in 11 games as a receiver.
Hales ends his collegiate football playing career with 13 career receptions for 87 yards.
Though the wide receiver position is one that is a concern for the Longhorns as they head into the season, and Hales is one that has been mentioned as stepping into a larger role, there is a lot of young talent coming in that may have claimed some of the positions on the depth chart ahead of the senior.
It wasn’t an easy decision for Hales. In the statement released by the university, Hales had this to say:
Coming to this decision wasn’t easy, but I’ve talked to my family and have decided that it would be best for me to focus on my degree and my career for the future. Football doesn’t last forever, and I feel like I could be a help to the team in other ways outside of playing. I always knew that eventually I would like to work with young people, whether it’s coaching or training or in some other way, and this will give me the experience of doing that. I’ve been in the system, I’ve seen how things work and I can help guide them and show them the ropes…It’s been a great experience at Texas, and I’m just happy I’m still going to be able to be around the team, help out and be able finish my degree at the same time.
As for Texas Longhorns head coach Mack Brown, he says he understands the receiver’s decision, and assures that he will still have a role with the team:
We appreciate the effort and work DeSean has put in over his four years as a player here. We understand his decision and look forward to him staying involved with the team and being a positive influence, especially to the young receivers.
I’m sure this wasn’t an easy decision for Hales, but he is right; football doesn’t last forever.
The Longhorn nation is grateful to him for his contributions to the team over the last few seasons, and wises him the best of luck in his future endeavors.
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