Justin Jefferson's Collegiate Career: A Tiger's Tale

Justin Jamal Jefferson, born on June 16, 1999, is an American professional football wide receiver who has left an indelible mark on both college and professional football. Before his NFL career, Jefferson honed his skills as a playmaking wide receiver for the LSU Tigers. His time at LSU was marked by explosive plays and record-breaking performances.

Early Years at LSU

Jefferson played in 35 games during his career at LSU, starting 27 times. In three years at LSU, he caught 165 passes for 2,415 yards and 24 TDs. He amassed those numbers despite not catching a single pass as a freshman in 2017.

2017: A Quiet Start

As a freshman in 2017, Jefferson did not record any receptions, setting the stage for his subsequent breakout seasons.

2018: Emerging as a Top Receiver

In 2018, Jefferson emerged as LSU’s top receiver, leading the Tigers in receptions (54), yards (875) and TDs (6). He played in all 13 games with 12 starts and caught at least one pass in all 13 games. He had at least five catches in seven games, which included six on three occasions (vs. Georgia, Alabama and Arkansas). Jefferson went over the 100-yard mark twice with 108 yards on six receptions vs. Georgia and 117 yards on six catches vs. Arkansas. He hauled in five passes for 99 yards and two TDs in a win over Ole Miss and capped the season with four catches for 87 yards and 2 TDs in the Fiesta Bowl win over UCF. Other TDs came vs. Rice and Louisiana Tech.

An athletic player who excelled on both sides of the ball in high school, Jefferson was rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports and Scout. As a senior, he recorded 44 receptions for 956 yards and nine touchdowns.

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The Record-Breaking 2019 Season

The 2019 season was a monumental one for Jefferson and the LSU Tigers. He played and started all 15 games at wide receiver, earning second-team All-SEC honors. He finished the season with a school-record 111 receptions for 1,540 yards and 18 TDs. The 1,540 yards ranks No. 3 in school history, while the 18 TDs rank No. 2 behind fellow teammate Ja’Marr Chase’s 20 in 2019.

A Prolific Duo

Jefferson teamed with Chase for the most productive wide receiver duo in college football as they combined for 195 receptions for 3,320 yards and 38 TDs. He led the SEC in receptions and ranked No. 2 in the league behind Chase in yards (1,540), TDs (18) and yards per game (102.7). Jefferson averaged 13.9 yards a catch and had 2 games with double-digit catches (10 vs. Florida, 14 vs. Oklahoma) and had 9 or more receptions six times. He had 5 or more receptions in 13 of LSU’s 15 games.

Postseason Dominance

Jefferson helped LSU to a 42-25 win over Clemson in the national title game with 9 catches for 106 yards. That followed his best game as Tigers, catching 14 passes for 227 yards and four TDs - all career highs - in LSU’s 63-28 win over Oklahoma in the CFP National Semifinal. He set CFP Semifinal game records for receptions (14), receiving yards (227), receiving yards in a half (186), and receiving TDs (4). In LSU’s three postseason games in 2019, he combined for 30 receptions for 448 yards and five TDs, averaging 14.1 yards a catch and 102.4 yards per game. He caught at least five passes in 12 games and had at least one TD in 11 games and had eight 100-yard games in 2019 and 10 for his career.

A Historic Offense

Jefferson teamed with quarterback Joe Burrow, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase to become the first team in college football history with a 5,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard rusher and two 1,000-yard receivers in the same season. He led LSU with seven receptions for 115 yards and TD in the SEC Championship Game. Jefferson is the 10th player in school history with more than 2,000 career receiving yards and surpassed 1,000 yards in the 2019 season at Ole Miss with a nine-catch, 112-yard and two touchdown performance. It’s the ninth 1,000-yard receiving season in school history.

Key Performances

Alabama: Made seven receptions for 79 yards on eight targets. Five of his seven receptions went for first down against the Crimson Tide.
Auburn: Caught seven passes for 60 yards against No. 9 Auburn.
Mississippi State: LSU’s leading receiver with 89 yards and one touchdown on eight receptions. He made history as he caught Joe Burrow’s 29th touchdown pass on the season for the most in LSU history on an 18-yard TD in the third quarter.
Florida: Totaled 123 yards and one touchdown on 10 receptions. Scored on a 7-yard pass from Joe Burrow against the Gators.
Utah State: Scored on consecutive drives with touchdowns of four and 39 yards out. LSU’s leading receiver with 155 yards on nine receptions.
Vanderbilt: Tied the game with a 4-yd TD pass from Joe Burrow.
Northwestern State: Topped 100 yards with 125 yards on five receptions.
Texas: LSU’s leading receiver at Texas with a then-career high 163 yards on nine receptions and three touchdowns. Scored the game-clinching touchdown on third-and-sixteen with a 61-yard touchdown with 2:27 left in the game. A part of the first trio in school history, along with Ja’Marr Chase and Terrace Marshall, to finish with 100 receiving yards in a game.
Georgia Southern: LSU’s leading receiver in the season opener with 87 yards on five receptions and a touchdown.

LSU Career Statistics and Records

After not catching a pass as a freshman, Jefferson now ranks No. 3 in LSU history in receiving TDs (24), No. 5 in receptions (165) and No. 6 in receiving yards (2,415).

LSU single-season record holder for receptions with 111 set in 2019.
Finished LSU career ranked No. 5 in receptions (165), No. 6 in receiving yards (2,415) and No. 3 in receiving TDs (24).
Is 10th player in school history with more than 2,000 career receiving yards.

Family Legacy

The third of the Jefferson brothers to play football at LSU, joining older brothers Jordan and Rickey as Tigers. All three Jefferson brothers started during their career - Jordan played quarterback for LSU from 2008-11 helping LSU to a 13-0 regular season and an appearance in the BCS National Championship Game, while Rickey played in the secondary from 2013-16.

NFL Career

Jefferson's outstanding college career paved the way for his entry into the NFL. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings and has since become one of the league's premier wide receivers.

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