Jefferson jumps on board
Destrehan's Rickey Jefferson said it was a day in the making for the past six years.
When Jefferson was just an impressionable 12-year-old he watched his older brother Jordan's recruiting process closely and vowed one day to emulate the same steps he took and follow the very same path.
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That day finally came when Rickey Jefferson took the torch from his brother Jordan, who completed his eligibility in an LSU uniform this past season, and will play in the same purple and gold colors after the 5-foot-11, 190-pounder committed Sunday evening to play for the Tigers.
"To be honest with you I've looked forward to this since my brother did it," Jefferson said. "It was on Nov. 10 which is Les Miles' birthday. Ever since then I knew I wanted to do the same thing."
Rickey Jefferson was on hand for the first day of Miles' camp on Sunday but did not work out. He arrived with both of his parents and Jordan to watch some of the 575 participants before later making the short walk to Miles' second-story office with his family to deliver the news.
"Coach Miles was excited," said Jefferson, who had 17 offers with Florida State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, South Carolina and Tennessee being among that group. "I'm looking forward to doing big things and just handling my business.
"I just felt it was the right time," Jefferson said. "I knew I wanted to be a Tiger."
Jefferson, who said he plans to work out briefly on Monday, further enhanced LSU's already rock-solid recruiting class that climbed to the staggering total of 20 commitments before the Tigers actually kickoff the season in September against North Texas.
Jefferson's a four-star athlete and nation's No. 123 overall prospect that will move over across the line of scrimmage from where his older brother played quarterback and give LSU its third cornerback in this current class along with Loranger's Jeryl Brazil and Green Oaks' Tre'Davious White.
It's move that Jefferson takes with a dose of reverence after being around the program and looking up to All-American cornerbacks and first-round NFL draft choices in Patrick Peterson and Morris Claiborne.
"I feel good," said Jefferson, who also plans to return punts. "It looks like they have big things planned for me. I look forward to taking on that challenge.
"I talked about it and tweeted it before but I'm going to DB-U," Jefferson said of LSU's growing reputation for developing standout defensive backs. "I've watched those guys. I learned what they do with their swagger and demeanor. I want to be able translate that to my game.'
Jefferson has been more of a contributor on the offensive side in high school, starring at wide receiver for the past 1 ½ years.
However, Jefferson had his junior season reduced to five games after he sustained a torn ACL in his right knee trying to make a cut in a Week 5 loss to Dutchtown.
Jefferson was limited to 13 catches for 274 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing only 10 times for 89 yards and 3 scores in 2011.
Jefferson underwent surgery to repair the knee Oct. 4, was cleared in April and went through spring drills without contact with his teammates.
"There's no pressure and I know what I'm going to do after high school," Jefferson said. "I won't have anything to worry about. It feels good. I'm looking forward to competing and shutting down some of the top guys in the country. That's what it's about and that's to compete."