Sleeper no more, Justin Jefferson takes his star talent to the NFL

Just a short time ago, Justin Jefferson was thought to be a possible second day pick in the 2020 NFL draft. But his stock has taken a meteoric rise after he led all of college football receivers with 111 catches.

Adding 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns, the product of Destrehan High School helped LSU secure the national championship with a perfect 15-0 record.

Following that demonstration, he blew the top off of workouts at the Indianapolis Combine with a 4.43 time in the 30-yard dash, a 37.5″ vertical and a 10’6″ standing long jump. those numbers show he’s more than just the product of a system. Jefferson has lined up all over the field, displaying great versatility. He has sure hands.

Jefferson’s star shined brightest when the college lights were on the biggest stage. He had 14 grabs for 227 yards and four touchdowns all in the first half of the National semifinal against Oklahoma. He then tallied 12 catches for 106 yards against Clemson in the title game.

Recently retired high school head coach Steve Robicheaux won two state titles and earned a pair of runner up honors during his 27 years in the coaching profession, 18 as the head coach at Destrehan. He coached a trio of Jefferson brothers (Jordan, Rickey and Justin) who went onto to play at LSU.

“We started him off like Jordan as a freshman,” Robicheaux explained regarding Justin’s early prep playing days as a quarterback. “Then we thought we’d give it a try at receiver as a sophomore. We go to Covington for a spring game. We wasn’t the fastest nor the strongest but He just caught balls. He did everything that we asked.”

It was settled. Justin Jefferson was a wide receiver. “We knew that he was a good athlete. At the end of his sophomore year he was the guy. Whenever we put him one-on-one on the back (weak) side, they couldn’t guard him. Justin understood what he had to do. During his junior and senior seasons, he really blossomed.”

Despite an outstanding career at Destrehan, few schools came calling for Jefferson. In fact, the two-star rated prospect was really only noticed by Louisiana colleges. Northwestern State, Tulane and Nicholls extended offers.

“He had to take one more class in the summer (to graduate),” explained Robicheaux. “All of the schools knew where he was going though.”

As fate would have it, Justin was going to be able to follow in his brothers’ footsteps asa scholarship player. In the 2017 signing class, offensive tackle Seth Stewart from Point Pleasant, West Virginia decided that LSU wasn’t the right fit in the summer and was a no show. Ed Orgeron held a spot for a legacy player in Jefferson.

“After being around there for so long and my brothers being there for the past eight years, Coach O talked to me. He’s a cool coach. It seemed good. It seemed like I fit in,” Jefferson explained to SEC Country as a fresh new Tiger.

In 2018, the LSU passing game coordinator was Jerry Sullivan, who had spent 24 seasons coaching wide receivers in the NFL. He recognized something special about the former Destrehan star. That season as a sophomore, Jefferson led the Tigers in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches. It was only the beginning.

“(Sullivan) started saying that Justin is going to be in the NFL,” recalled Robicheaux. “Now he’s got a chance to be a first round draft choice. We’re so happy for him.”

Most analysts have him projected to go in round one of the upcoming draft. Jefferson has flashed the skills that would make him a coveted selection by a number of teams, including possibly the New Orleans Saints who hold the 24th overall pick.

Jefferson possesses a wide catching radius, is elusive in space and turns catches into big gains with a very smooth, long stride. He has a great burst off of the line of scrimmage, instincts and abilities to adjust to throws. Also a willing blocker, there’s little not to like about Jefferson as a prospect.

“The biggest improvement has been his route running,” noted Robicheaux. “When you watch him, he’s always open. He understands the game and the scheme. He understands good route running. He has great playmaker skills.”

Jefferson has developed from a 180-pound freshman into a 6-foot-1, 202-pound polished specimen. With the explosion of LSU’s offense led by Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow, Jefferson is a sleeper prospect no more.

“It was a perfect storm,” described Robicheaux. “It was both a special year for the coaches and what they did with spreading around the ball and getting it in the hands of the playmakers. Justin worked tirelessly. He kept working to be the best. It has paid off for him.”

After Justin Jefferson hears his name called for the upcoming draft, he will become the ninth former Destrehan standout to play in the NFL, joining Hall of Fame safetyEd Reed, Burnell Dent, Rondell Mealey and his own brother, Rickey Jefferson.

“I think that he’s a hybrid kid. He’s a serious person who works extremely hard, yet always has a smile on his face. Everybody at Destrehan loves him. He’s the kind of guy that you want to see succeed.”

Few doubt Justin Jefferson will do anything but succeed now.