‘23 JUCO LB Justin Jefferson (Alabama commit)

#76
#76
volfaninpa said:
Does it seem like to anyone else that the linebacker (and possibly running back) recruiting is the most lackluster thus far in the 2023 class? (I'm including Herring as an edge rusher/d-lineman) Not saying it won't be better, but perhaps Jean-Mary is a better talent developer than recruiter. This isn't necessarily a criticism, just an observation.
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The RB recruiting isn't that big a deal, because we're only taking one most likely. The LB recruiting is a bit concerning, but it could be that a lot is going on behind the scenes and we just won't hear much until later in the process. At least, I hope that's the case.
 
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#78
#78
Tennessee is one of nearly a dozen Power Five programs that have joined the race for Justin Jefferson since early May. After getting his latest scholarship offer two weeks ago from the Vols, he’s now planning to visit Tennessee and a couple of other SEC schools over the next few weeks.

The Class of 2023 linebacker from Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, Miss., said he expects to travel to Tennessee’s campus for the first time early next week. He said he has “been talking a lot, actually,” with the Vols since getting an offer from them on May 25, and he’s looking forward to seeing for himself what they have to offer.

“I think me and my mom are going up there during the week next week — like, Monday, Tuesday,” said Jefferson, who played at Bartlett (Tenn.) High School, just outside Memphis.

The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Jefferson is coming off an unofficial visit to Alabama last weekend that allowed him to spend multiple days with the Crimson Tide and participate in one of their camps. He said he’s scheduled to travel to Texas A&M the weekend of June 17 on his first official visit, and Florida will host him on an official visit the weekend of June 24.

Jefferson, who has received offers from nearly 20 schools, said he was “most definitely” excited to get an offer from Tennessee on May 25.

“I appreciate any and all opportunities — especially being recognized for playing football, something that I’ve been doing since I was 5,” he said.
“I looked at Tennessee as really big, out of my league (growing up). … (A Tennessee offer) was a big achievement for people growing up, because I’m from Memphis and I know a couple people that actually go to Tennessee right now.

“Me and (Vols senior linebacker) Jeremy Banks went to the same school. I’m originally from Cordova. He graduated with my sisters. He graduated when I was, like, in eighth grade, maybe ninth grade.”

Jefferson said he spoke with Banks “just a couple days ago,” but they didn’t necessarily talk much about Banks’ experiences at Tennessee or Jefferson’s possible interest in the Vols.

“We were just shooting the stuff,” Jefferson said of Banks. “It wasn’t a focused conversation.”

While Jefferson has never been to Tennessee’s campus, he said he has heard good things about it and the program in general.

“I’ve heard, just from the couple people that I know that go up there, and just that visited up there, that it’s real nice and it’s home,” he said. “It ain’t nothing specific that I just want to see, but I’d really like to go up there and see it, because I know the stadium’s really big. It’s real nice facilities. I can’t wait to go up there and see everything because, from what I hear, it’s really nice — really nice.”

Vols linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary and running backs coach Jerry Mack have been in frequent contact with Jefferson over the past couple weeks. He said the Vols have told him that “they’ve got guys graduating” at linebacker, “and there’s, like, a good opportunity for me” in their defense.

But Jefferson said he’s not necessarily focused on finding a school that can offer a clear path to a starting job.

“Actually, I’m not worried about playing time, because me knowing myself, I’m going to compete for whatever, at whatever I want to do,” Jefferson said. “And if I want to play, I’m going to compete for that. And if I’m the best man, I’m the best man. If I’m not, I’m not, and I’m going to respect that.

“But I’m just really looking, in schools, just really looking at what feels right, what’s home because, at the end of the day, it’s going to be where I’m living. So whatever feels home for me and, when I talk to my family and my mom or whatever, she likes and I like, we’re going to make it happen. But as far as playing time, I’m not worrying about playing time. I’m going to compete for any and everything. I don’t want anything given to me.”

Jefferson recorded 53 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception last year as a freshman at Pearl River. He said Tennessee’s coaches have mentioned that they like “just my speed.”

The Vols are one of several teams talking with him most frequently, he said, along with Alabama, Florida, Texas A&M, Oregon, Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Asked whether those are the main contenders in his recruitment, he said, “You could say that.”

Alabama is the only school he has visited so far this year. That’s one of the reasons he’s not ready to name any favorites.

“At this point, I’m just taking all opportunities and just keeping my options broad,” Jefferson said. “Just going by the visits that I’ve taken so far, I really like Alabama. Alabama, it was a true blessing to be up there, and just the amount of love they showed me just was really eye-opening to me — I’m going to say that.”

Jefferson said he plans to graduate in December and enroll at the school of his choice in January, and he’s on track to have three years to play his two remaining seasons of eligibility.

He expects to announce his college decision before the start of his sophomore season at Pearl River.

“I really want to have my decision and stuff so I can focus, because I’ve still got games I’ve got to win with my dawgs out here,” he said. “So I really want to have my decision, like, (by) the end of the summer, toward the beginning of the season.”
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-Callahan
 
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#81
#81
Ericvol2096 said:
Top LB with Telander now that CJ Allen going UGA.
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Allen is still at the top of my lb board but really like the Jefferson kid.I don't know that Allen is a lock to Georgia like some think.Their slow playing him from all accounts and have some other lbs rated higher.Who knows how that scenario works out.
 
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#83
#83
TitanicVolz said:
Allen is still at the top of my lb board but really like the Jefferson kid.I don't know that Allen is a lock to Georgia like some think.Their slow playing him from all accounts and have some other lbs rated higher.Who knows how that scenario works out.
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Will be interesting to see how it plays out. UGA definitely has others above him but he still might be good enough to take if he decides soon. I did think it was interesting Austin mentioned the kid really likes Tennessee but people close to him are the ones that want him at UGA.

We need Jefferson. He's a day 1 starter if we land him.
 
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#84
#84
Montrell Hardy said:
Will be interesting to see how it plays out. UGA definitely has others above him but he still might be good enough to take if he decides soon. I did think it was interesting Austin mentioned the kid really likes Tennessee but people close to him are the ones that want him at UGA.

We need Jefferson. He's a day 1 starter if we land him.
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The kid is a SCUD missile.
 
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#85
#85
Montrell Hardy said:
Will be interesting to see how it plays out. UGA definitely has others above him but he still might be good enough to take if he decides soon. I did think it was interesting Austin mentioned the kid really likes Tennessee but people close to him are the ones that want him at UGA.

We need Jefferson. He's a day 1 starter if we land him.
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Had a chance to watch some film today and Jefferson is a man among boys out there.Kid seems to have a high I.Q for findin the football well spoken humble kid.I wouldn't be mad with Jefferson or Allen but Jefferson just seems like he's on different level when u evaluate the two.
 
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#86
#86
Montrell Hardy said:
Will be interesting to see how it plays out. UGA definitely has others above him but he still might be good enough to take if he decides soon. I did think it was interesting Austin mentioned the kid really likes Tennessee but people close to him are the ones that want him at UGA.

We need Jefferson. He's a day 1 starter if we land him.
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I can’t be the only one who hates Adults trying to live through their kids
 
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#87
#87
jvols1999 said:
IMO he's one of the most important targets in the entire class. Need to knock next week's visit out of the park with him and his family in town and really press the instate connections, etc.
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I agree. The LB position group is the only one that I have questions with this cycle. It seems like we are lagging there. Sucks Allen is going to UGA. Jefferson might be as much of a must get for us at this point.
 
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#91
#91
Just watched some of his highlights. Kid just has a knack for gliding through all the traffic and getting to the ball. Seems to be able to time blitzes very well. Not the greatest form in tackling, but that can be coached up. Seemed to be able to tackle in space as well. Think this guy would be a solid pickup at LB.
 
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#92
#92
After getting a scholarship offer from Tennessee less than three weeks ago, Justin Jefferson didn’t wait long to travel to Knoxville and take a firsthand look at the Vols. He came away impressed by virtually everything he saw.

The Class of 2023 linebacker from Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, Miss., said he “really liked” his unofficial visit to Tennessee on Monday and Tuesday. The former Bartlett (Tenn.) High School standout said the Vols made a strong first impression on him, and it’s at least “a possibility” that he could visit them again.

“I thought Tennessee was beautiful. I really liked it,” said Jefferson, who has received scholarship offers from nearly 20 schools. “I really appreciate all the staff welcoming me, and I just really liked it all.

“What stood out to me was just how beautiful the campus is. I couldn’t stop saying it when I first got down there. You cannot say that this campus is not beautiful. It is beautiful.”

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Jefferson said he liked “everything” about Tennessee’s campus and facilities, along with the surrounding area.

“I liked it (being) on hills and stuff — just everything,” he said. “It just looked real good to me.”

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel’s staff, led by linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary and defensive coordinator Tim Banks, showed Jefferson plenty of attention during the visit. He said the Vols made it clear to him that he could play a major role in their defense.

“I got a lot of face time with Coach BJ, Coach Banks — everybody,” Jefferson said. “The message was just, like, ‘Come to Knoxville. We need you.’ They just really like my athletic ability and my instincts. They really just like my game of football, and they said that could fit well in their system.”

He said Tennessee is recruiting him as a projected inside linebacker. With the Vols having a few seniors at the position, he said they told him that he could have a relatively clear path to early playing time next year at Tennessee.

“The message I got from them was just that there’s a need at linebacker, and they like my playing style, so (playing early) could be a possibility,” Jefferson said.

“I’m a very competitive person, so wherever I choose to go, playing time is a big thing to me. But (having) people in front of me, too, I don’t mind that. I like competing. I don’t want it to be easy.”

Jefferson, who said he’s originally from Cordova, Tenn., also spent time during the visit with Tennessee senior linebacker Jeremy Banks, a former Cordova High School standout. Jefferson said Banks spoke highly of his experience with the Vols over the past few years.

“I was with JB all (Monday),” Jefferson said. “We talked about it. It was nothing but positive vibes coming from him about Tennessee. He was saying he chose Tennessee for a reason. It’s been real good to him, and he really appreciates Tennessee.”

He said there’s at least a chance he could visit the Vols again, adding that he’s “talking about it.”

“It’s a possibility, most definitely,” said Jefferson, who also holds offers from Alabama, Florida, Texas A&M, Oregon, Ole Miss, Texas, Southern Cal, South Carolina and Florida State, among others. “I really like Tennessee. Tennessee was really good to me.”

Asked whether this week’s visit helped Tennessee climb higher on the list of schools he’s considering, he simply said, “I really like Tennessee.”

He’s currently hoping to pick a school sometime this summer, which leaves him with a limited window to take more visits before a nearly monthlong NCAA dead period for recruiting begins on June 27. He’s already scheduled to take official visits to Texas A&M this weekend and Florida the weekend of June 24.
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-Callahan
 
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#95
#95
He loves every visit he goes on, and is going to get offered by everyone in the SEC.

"It was fantastic," Jefferson told BamaInsider regarding his first visit to Alabama "I absolutely loved it. I hung out, talked to the coaches and camped. I told the coaches I wanted to work."

Those who saw Jefferson on Saturday described his performance as "unbelievable." Jefferson was a little more modest as he said, "I feel like I did all right. I can always improve. The coaches watched the film and liked what they saw."

"I just love everything about Alabama," he said. "It's just all love. The love they are showing me is really important to me. Out of everyone (linebackers) in JuCo they are coming after me. I'm not big, but I am fast. I don't look like your stereotypical linebacker.

"They are showing me so much love. They are coming after me for a reason, not just to say they are recruiting me. My mom went with me over there. She loved it. They took care of her while I was doing the camp. That really meant a lot to me.”
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