Tony Jefferson

[IAmLegend]

Originally Posted by Leadbelly

Somebody can correct me if wrong.

CA kid. Verbally commits to UCLA early. Goes to a UCLA game or something while wearing USC gear. UCLA football players threaten to "correct his mistake" physically. Many verbal exchanges. Changes his mind and goes to Oklahoma.

He's my favorite safety but if he comes to Dallas in a RGIII jersey, there's a-gonna be problems.

That's true.

Here's his quote about the incident:

"The UCLA players really disrespected me before the game," Jefferson said. "When they saw me, they were all cussing at me, telling me to never come around Westwood again and things like that. These were guys that I had hung out with before and it was a lot of the team. I guess I kind of see it since I was committed there and was wearing USC gear before their big game, but I still didn't appreciate it." - Tony Jefferson

He kept flipping back and forth between USC and UCLA. All the while he was being recruited by Mike Stoops when he was HC at Arizona and really liked him, but he didn't want to play for Arizona. But, once Stoops was fired and went to Oklahoma, he immediately decided to commit there.

[Verdict]

I have been told that he was a 5 star player coming out of high school. I'm not sure on that though. I told you guys you would like DeMarco Murray and Hanna and they have both been pleasant surprises so far. I think Jefferson would be an instant starter here.

[IAmLegend]

Originally Posted by Verdict

I have been told that he was a 5 star player coming out of high school. I'm not sure on that though. I told you guys you would like DeMarco Murray and Hanna and they have both been pleasant surprises so far. I think Jefferson would be an instant starter here.

Also true. He was a 5 star prospect coming out of high school and was rated the #1 overall "Athlete" by ESPN since he did not have a designated position.

I like Jefferson a lot too and hope we draft him if we don't get Vacarro or Elam.

[Zordon]

i would LOVE to have jefferson in the 3rd.

[Verdict]

Originally Posted by Zordon

i would LOVE to have jefferson in the 3rd.

That would be awesome, but I just don't see him falling that far.

[Goldenrichards83]

Originally Posted by chuch

I think Jefferson is among the top 3 free safeties in the draft as far as play-making and versatility goes. He covers well and has better ball skills than nearly every other safety in this class. What he lacks in hitting power he makes up for in tackling technique, play recognition, and closing speed. If he were listed as 6'1 instead of 5'11, which will likely turn out to be a generous measurement, he would be getting much more first round recognition.

This is spot on analysis. Couldnt agree more.

[cowboysooner]

Originally Posted by IAmLegend

That's true.

Here's his quote about the incident:

"The UCLA players really disrespected me before the game," Jefferson said. "When they saw me, they were all cussing at me, telling me to never come around Westwood again and things like that. These were guys that I had hung out with before and it was a lot of the team. I guess I kind of see it since I was committed there and was wearing USC gear before their big game, but I still didn't appreciate it." - Tony Jefferson

He kept flipping back and forth between USC and UCLA. All the while he was being recruited by Mike Stoops when he was HC at Arizona and really liked him, but he didn't want to play for Arizona. But, once Stoops was fired and went to Oklahoma, he immediately decided to commit there.

He played 2 years for Brent Venables before Mike Stoops got back to Oklahoma. He was essentially a linebacker versus spread teams and even played the Demarcus Ware position in a 50 defense but rarely blitzed in 2011. He has great instincts, but is a step slower than Vacarro.

He was committed to Harbaugh and Stanford for a while, then UCLA and finally decided to go with his San Diego friends Kenny Stills and Brennan Clay to Oklahoma sometime in December. He was an early enrollee guy.

[Verdict]

Originally Posted by cowboysooner

He played 2 years for Brent Venables before Mike Stoops got back to Oklahoma. He was essentially a linebacker versus spread teams and even played the Demarcus Ware position in a 50 defense but rarely blitzed in 2011. He has great instincts, but is a step slower than Vacarro.

He was committed to Harbaugh and Stanford for a while, then UCLA and finally decided to go with his San Diego friends Kenny Stills and Brennan Clay to Oklahoma sometime in December. He was an early enrollee guy.

It will be interesting to see how his 40 times compare to the guys you are referring to. You generally don't get a 5 star rating coming out of high school without possessing elite speed at the skill positions. He seems to be all over the field making plays. He seems to have great range, play recognition and situational awareness. A guy that has range and can cover has been the achilles heel of this defense for years. Jefferson seems to fit the bill in those respects.

Jefferson is not a thumper, but he doesn't really shy away from contact either. He is just a very sure tackler. I think he will be a starter in the NFL as a rookie.

[Verdict]

With Jefferson supposedly being criticized by Oklahoma coaches, correctly evaluating whether he is a lazy player or not as alleged will be critical. But if he falls down draft boards he could present us even greater value if we get him lower than expected.

I think that he presents similar value and less risk than the linebacker/DE out of Oklahoma last year that went in the second round to the Lions or Ravens IIRC. It is obvious that OU coaches would know more about this guy than anyone else with respect to his workout habits and practice habits. I would think that Jerrry Jones' relationship with Bob Stoops would come in very handy on getting an honest evaluation of Jefferson.