Patrick Peterson. Tyrann Mathieu. Morris Claiborne. Eric Reid. Those are just a few of the names that have led LSU to be renowned nationwide for its great defensive back play, year in and year out. And Destrehan alumnus Rickey Jefferson aims to add his name to that list.
Jefferson is entering his junior season with the Tigers this fall, where the speedy safety will be a part of what is expected to be one of the nation’s top secondary units. Last season, Jefferson played in all 13 of LSU’s games, recording 23 tackles and intercepting two passes—one of those pickoffs a memorable snag of quarterback Jeff Driskel’s pass late in the fourth quarter of the Tigers’ dramatic 30-27 victory at Florida last season. That interception set up Colby Delahoussaye’s game-winning 50-yard field goal with three seconds left.
Jefferson takes much pride in his role in the Tigers’ defense — and much pride in the secondary’s play as a whole.
“It’s an amazing feeling to be part of this group,” Jefferson said. “I’ve watched those greats that came before and I want to keep that tradition going.
“The defensive backs, we take everything personal. We go out there for every snap looking to be the best (position) group in the game, and we have the mindset that nobody can stop us. Only we can stop ourselves. It’s been that way at LSU in the 80s. It’s the culture here.”
The interception at Florida, he said, likely ranks as his most memorable moment to date.
“I love to contribute to my team’s success like that,” he said. “My team needed me in that moment. It was win or go home. That was really exciting and I’d say it definitely ranks as one of the best moments of my life.”
Another was the Tigers’ 10-7 win over a No. 3 ranked Ole Miss team at Tiger Stadium, a game in which Jefferson recorded four tackles and the Tiger defense arguably played its finest game of the season.
“The crowd was so pumped up,” he said. “We knew we could do it, and when we finished it off it was a beautiful feeling.”
Jefferson primarily played receiver at Destrehan, where he earned four-star recruit status. He also played running back and was one of the state’s most dangerous kick returners. He also played in certain defensive packages, and his all-around athleticism inspired LSU to drop him into the mix in the most competitive personnel group on the team.
The younger brother of former LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson, Rickey says his sibling has made an immense impact upon his life and his mentoring has gone a long way thus far in his time with the Tigers.
“He’s always been by my side, and having him has definitely been an advantage for me,” Jefferson said. “It’s been a dream come true to follow him here.”
Jefferson and his defensive back teammates sharpen their skills each day in practice against another very deep position group. The LSU wide receivers are considered among the more talented corps in the country.
Who ranks as the toughest cover?
“All of those guys are great,” Jefferson said. “That’s a tough question. D.J. Chark has probably been the toughest guy, for me. He’s going to have a great year. Really, all of our guys seem primed to have a big season. The crazy thing is the amount of talent we have there. Anyone can go off in a given game.”
As for his own talents, Jefferson said he believes his ball skills are his greatest attribute.
After all, once a receiver, always a receiver.
“When the ball is in the air, I’m not trying to bat it down,” he said with a laugh. “I want to pick it, and I want to score. I always believe I was one block away. That’s just the wide receiver in me, I guess.”
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