Where did Justin Jefferson play football in college? University stats, record and draft pick

Justin Jefferson’s path to football stardom began in Destrehan, Louisiana, where he attended Destrehan High School. However, his journey was anything but easy. Coming from an athletic family, with his father, John, who played college basketball, and his older brothers, Jordan and Ricky, who had successful careers at LSU and in the NFL, Jefferson knew the level of commitment required to play football at the highest level.

Unlike his physically gifted brothers, Justin entered high school standing at just 5-foot-7 and weighing 125 pounds. Despite his family’s athletic prowess and guidance, he could only secure a spot on the junior varsity team as a safety during his freshman year. Three years into his high school career, Justin struggled to reach his brothers’ heights, and his NFL dreams seemed increasingly unlikely. Despite his dwindling hopes, his family never lost faith in him. By his junior year, he had grown to 6-foot-1 and gained almost 40 pounds, earning a chance to play with the varsity team. To secure a Division I college football spot, Justin dedicated countless hours to improving his skills. He worked on route running with his older brother Jordan and studied YouTube videos.

By his senior year, Justin’s hard work paid off. He became a dynamic playmaker, recording 44 receptions for 956 yards and 9 touchdowns. Despite his impressive performance, he remained a two-star recruit with no major offers.

Justin gets accepted by LSU

Fortunately, the Jefferson family name held significant weight at LSU. When LSU head coach Ed Orgeron offered him a scholarship, Justin knew what he had to do. He completed his summer class and joined LSU as the final scholarship member in the fall of 2017.

Justin’s freshman season at LSU was quiet, playing in only two games and recording one rush for four yards. However, in his sophomore year, he made a name for himself, forming an immediate connection with transfer quarterback Joe Burrow. Jefferson led the Tigers with 44 receptions for 875 yards and six touchdowns.

His junior season was nothing short of spectacular. Playing on what many consider the greatest college football team of all time, Jefferson and Jamar Chase formed an unstoppable duo. Jefferson led the nation with 111 receptions, scored 18 touchdowns, and racked up 1,540 receiving yards. In the first round of the College Football Playoff against Oklahoma, he set a record with 14 catches for 227 yards and four touchdowns in the first half alone. He continued his dominant performance in the national championship game against Clemson, recording nine catches for 106 yards in a decisive victory.

NFL Combine and getting picked by the Vikings

After an incredible college career, Justin declared for the NFL draft and was projected as a first-round pick. Despite questions about his athleticism and ability to compete against top NFL corners, he silenced critics by running a 4.43-second 40-yard dash at the combine.

Nevertheless, four receivers were selected ahead of him in the 2020 draft, including Jalen Reagor, whom the Eagles picked just before Jefferson.

The Minnesota Vikings selected Jefferson with the 22nd pick, tasking him with replacing fan-favorite Stefon Diggs. Despite the challenges of an unprecedented offseason due to the pandemic, Jefferson quickly won over Vikings fans.