Greg Schiano “Changed My Life”
February 22nd, 2013
The Bucs may be in the market for a tight end. Well, there is a tight end participating in the combine and he comes by way of Rutgers.
Yeah, you do the math.
D.C. Jefferson played tight end for three years under Greg Schiano at Rutgers and he got there via a strange but somewhat familiar route. He was recruited as a quarterback from Winter Haven, one of the top quarterback recruits in the nation in fact.
Sure, Jefferson would love to come home and play for the Bucs. More importantly, he wants to be reunited with Schiano.
“That man changed my life,” Jefferson told Joe at the NFL Scouting Combine yesterday.
Jefferson was flipped to tight end when he walked on the New Jersey campus and redshirted his freshman year.
Jefferson noted that Schiano was important to him, not so much for how he changed his football career possibly for the better, but how Schiano molded Jefferson away from the gridiron.
“The approach he took towards the game, puts leadership into people,” Jefferson explained of Schiano’s teachings. “I know he is known as a tough coach, but his teaching meant so much to me off the field, not just as a player, but as a man. Not just football, but being a good person and a good husband. He helped me make my mind right and look toward the ultimate goal.
“I would love to play for coach again.”
Jefferson (6-6, 250) had a career high 20 catches in 2012. He’s projected to be a late-round pick.
February 22nd, 2013 at 10:23 am
I thought it was funny that when you click on his name and read his nfl.com bio, they have his comparison as M. Bennett lol the guy so many Bucs fans want.
Like most people, I don’t know much about Jefferson, but he’s a big guy willing to block and he seems to have the right attitude. Wouldn’t surprise me at all to see Dom & Schiano take this guy in the 5th/6th round. This draft needs to get here already!
February 22nd, 2013 at 12:15 pm
Jefferson was a bit of an enigma at Rutgers. He is very talented, highly thought of, but underproductive. He did well when he was called on but he spent most of his time blocking. He has definite physical talent in both the run and passing game. I would be on board with a Jefferson pick after round 4.
Truth be told, I really like several Rutgers prospects and would be elated to land them.
LB Khasseem Greene is former safety and a stud, cut from the David mold.
CB Logan Ryan is tough as nails with the physicality and skills needed to cover down field.
TE Jefferson has a ton of potential and could help right away.
WR Mark Harrison is huge with pretty good speed and could project to H-Back in the NFL.
LB Steve Bearnaiaisia (I can’t remember how to spell his name) is tough and instinctive and has a special teams mentality. I really want to see what he runs in Indy.
February 22nd, 2013 at 1:00 pm
Too bad Kelce isnt in the combine (out for an abdominal injury). I was really high on that kid in the 2nd or 3rd. Short also wont be in the combine due to injury.
February 22nd, 2013 at 2:06 pm
Of course Jefferson is lobbying, but he’s not as talented as Stocker, Noble, Byham, and Dunsmore. If he doesn’t get drafted, the Bucs may bring him to camp as a walk-on. Besides a superstar starting TE, we have plenty of capable young backups.
February 22nd, 2013 at 5:43 pm
Unusual number of tall TEs in this draft class; that is, until the true heights are unveiled–players tend to shorten.
February 23rd, 2013 at 8:32 am
4everBucsFan:
Sorry, Jefferson is far more athletic than the TEs you mentioned. He has top three round talent, unfortunately for him he had bottom of the draft production.
Even more unfortunately for him, he tore a pectoral muscle the other day at the combine and will be out of action for no less than 6 months. Perhaps the Bucs sign him once he is healthy as an UDFA going into training camp and stash him away for a season on the practice squad.