Jefferson, Jefferson, Jefferson
So we've got this story by Brian McCallum on BTW running back Jeremy Jefferson running in Thursday's Times. And I start thinking about writing a column on why Jefferson isn't being recruited by big-time programs. I know Jefferson has a Northwestern State offer but that's about it as far as I know.
The most obvious reason is he's 5-foot-8.
So I start thinking back and remember that Arkansas once had a 5-5 wide receiver in J.J. Meadors from Ruston.
So I get on the SEC teleconference and ask Arkansas coach Houston Nutt about his philosophy of recruiting running backs and what place height plays in the recruitment process.
Well, Nutt wasn't at Arkansas when Meadors played, but it wasn't a big deal because he told the story of being at Oklahoma State when another small running back, Barry Sanders, changed his mind about small running backs.
The story runs tomorrow. But let me just tell you, if you're a small running back you better be off the charts in vision, speed and toughness, if you want to play at the next level.
The most obvious reason is he's 5-foot-8.
So I start thinking back and remember that Arkansas once had a 5-5 wide receiver in J.J. Meadors from Ruston.
So I get on the SEC teleconference and ask Arkansas coach Houston Nutt about his philosophy of recruiting running backs and what place height plays in the recruitment process.
Well, Nutt wasn't at Arkansas when Meadors played, but it wasn't a big deal because he told the story of being at Oklahoma State when another small running back, Barry Sanders, changed his mind about small running backs.
The story runs tomorrow. But let me just tell you, if you're a small running back you better be off the charts in vision, speed and toughness, if you want to play at the next level.
posted by Scott Ferrell at 5:42 PM
2 Comments:
Jeremy Jefferson seems to be a nice kid and an even better running back.
I saw his first game of the year against Wossman, when he rushed for 300+ yards and scored 4 TDs, one of those receiving, despite an offensive philosophy that makes Marty Schottenheimer look like Jack Pardee.
For the life of me, I can't understand why he hasn't received any D-I offers. What Jefferson lacks in size, he makes up for in durability, vision, punch between the tackles and underrated quickness.
I think of a smallish back like Garrett Wolfe at Northern Illinois, one of college's top backs and a Heisman contender, and wonder why college coaches don't see the same thing in Jefferson.
He would be a perfect fit at a smaller D-I school, some place like North Texas, or New Mexico State, or Idaho or one of the Louisiana-hyphen schools. Heck, you telling me UL-Monroe couldn't have him return kicks or something?
Without being too much of a homer, I hope some unsuspecting college scout stumbles into Shreveport some upcoming Friday night. He might find exactly what he wasn't looking for.
Jack Pardee? I haven't heard that name since the Astrodome was the "Warehouse" on Saturdays and the "House of Pain" on Sundays.
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