Former Bobcat Michael Jefferson signs with Dallas Cowboys
By TIM DUMAS, Chronicle Sports Writer
Michael Jefferson is staying in his home state. But it's not as if he'll be right around the corner.
Jefferson, a former Montana State receiver and an El Paso, Texas, native, signed a free agent contract with the Dallas Cowboys Sunday night. He said Monday morning he'll make the 640-mile trip for Dallas' mini-camp that begins May 11.
"Everything worked out," Jefferson said from El Paso. "Growing up here, it's the Cowboys or nothing."
Jefferson said the New York Jets also showed interest - possibly in the form of a seventh-round pick in the NFL Draft. When the draft ended Sunday with Jefferson undrafted, he exchanged phone conversations with his agent, whose last call came with the good news: "congratulations, you're a Cowboy," Jefferson said. "It happened pretty fast."
Jefferson watched most of the draft's first day on Saturday, but when Sunday came around, he did his best to be patient.
* "I didn't want to nerve myself out," he said. "I left the house and went over to a friend's house."
In his one season at Montana State, Jefferson caught 66 passes for 1,023 yards and nine touchdowns. His 1,450 all-purpose yards led the Big Sky Conference.
Against Idaho State last October, the Arizona transfer set an MSU record with 305 total yards and tied the mark for touchdowns (5, shared with Don Hass) in a game. Three weeks earlier, his 239 receiving yards against Northern Arizona also set a school record.
Jefferson's yardage last year placed him fourth on MSU's all-time list for receiving yards in a season. His reception total put him in a tie for fifth with Montana State receivers coach Junior Adams.
Jefferson indicated he'll do whatever it takes to make the Dallas roster - including playing on special teams.
"He has to have a good (mini) camp," Adams said. "He might not get the reps he's used to, but he has to do all the grunt work."
After MSU lost a quarterfinal playoff game to eventual national champion Appalachian State in December, Jefferson left school and participated in the inaugural Texas vs. The Nation all-star game Feb. 2 in El Paso, where he caught three passes for 31 yards.
He also trained in Los Angeles and had a private workout in front of scouts at MSU.
Adams said Jefferson's performance in the all-star game helped build his confidence.
"He came out of that saying, 'I can do this.' He was more upbeat and more positive," Adams said.
Only one former Big Sky player was drafted over the weekend: Portland State outside linebacker Adam Hayward, who went to Tampa Bay in the sixth round (182nd overall).
Dallas did not draft any receivers, but has one of the NFC's top tandems in Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn. That pair combined for 155 receptions, 2,227 yards and 19 touchdowns last season.
Jefferson isn't concerned with the depth chart. He is, however, pleased to be staying in Texas.
"I get to stay close to family and friends," he said. "I'm blessed to have this opportunity."
