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The state of Texas is known for its high school football, and the players it produces.
Perhaps the most coveted uncommitted target in the country — and certainly in the Lone Star State — is linebacker Malik Jefferson.
The Mesquite, Texas native announced he will make his decision on Dec. 19, only intensifying the coverage of an already closely followed recruiting process of the top recruit in the football crazed state that is Texas.
Twelve of the 14 SEC programs have inquired regarding Jefferson’s services, with in-state Texas A&M and LSU topping the leaderboard. The prevailing thought is that Jefferson desires to stay in the state of Texas, unless LSU makes a late surge. Jefferson took official visits to College Station and Baton Rouge in November, though it’s unknown whether the absence of a defensive coordinator at Texas A&M has swayed the prized recruit.
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker possesses sub-4.4 40-yard dash speed. The Mesquite Poteet star is great working east-to-west, and has graded highly in pursuit and tackling. Jefferson has the frame needed to play at the next level, but needs to improve his versatility. Jefferson specializes in his ability to rush the passer, but isn’t great yet at dropping into coverage.
“He’s going to help you win games by going to get the quarterback,” Mesquite Poteet head coach Kody Groves told Sports Illustrated in an October interview.
Jefferson played in both a 4-3 and 3-4 scheme in high school. The 13th-ranked player nationally began his career as a defensive end before switching to outside linebacker when Mesquite Poteet made the switch to the 3-4. He wasn’t asked to do much more than rush the passer, which he did with great success.
Jefferson put on more than 10 pounds during his senior season, to compliment his speed and his explosiveness. He bench presses 375 pounds and squat 490 pounds, making him a force coming off the edge.
Jefferson will be asked to do more than rush the passer at the collegiate level, no matter which school he picks. He has little experience dropping into coverage outside of 7-on-7, but impressed this summer at The Opening, a camp but on by Nike and ESPN.
“I think he’s more than capable of becoming really good in pass coverage,” Rivals.com Mid-South recruiting analyst Jason Howell told Sports Illustrated. “He does a great job of tracking things down from behind against the run when teams aren’t running at him.”
While Jefferson once admitted Texas A&M was his top choice, that no longer is the case. Jefferson is considering LSU, Baylor, Texas, TCU and UCLA, in addition to the Aggies.
After living in Birmingham, Ala., Jordan left the ground zero of SEC Nation to head south to Florida to tell the unique stories of the renowned tradition of SEC football. In his free time, his mission is to find the best locales around.
