KJ Jefferson out to prove himself to UCF teammates, coaches

When KJ Jefferson was considering a move from Arkansas to UCF, he wanted the opinion of someone familiar with the program.

Someone who knew the roster. Someone who could speak about coach Gus Malzahn and the Knights’ offensive system. Someone who, like Jefferson, played quarterback at an elite level. Someone who just happened to be a close friend.

John Rhys Plumlee had just wrapped up a successful two-year stint at UCF when he heard from Jefferson.

“We texted back and forth,” Plumlee said from Dallas, where he is training for the upcoming NFL draft. “It’s a big decision, and I told him Mississippi to Orlando was the right move.”

The quarterbacks grew up in Mississippi; Plumlee in Hattiesburg and Jefferson in Sardis. While they excelled at football in high school, they never faced one another.

Knights open spring camp looking to improve in Year 2 of Big 12

They quickly developed a long-lasting friendship when they spent a week together as roommates preparing for a state All-Star game.

“We wanted to play together and now I followed him here,” Jefferson said.

Added Plumlee: “It’s pretty cool that we ended up at the same spot.”

Jefferson has been on campus preparing for his first season with the Knights.

As he stepped on the practice field for the first day of spring camp, the fifth-year senior couldn’t help but feel jittery.

“I had a little bit of nervousness going out there because I didn’t know what to expect, but I got over it quickly,” said Jefferson. “Once I threw the ball around a bit, I was good. I’m back in my element, back in that mode.”

Monday’s practice was about new beginnings for Jefferson, who transferred in early January after five seasons with the Razorbacks, where he set several school records. He passed for 7,911 yards with 67 touchdowns while rushing for 1,876 yards with 21…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/kj-jefferson-prove-himself-ucf-110000937.html

Author : Orlando Sentinel

Publish date : 2024-03-15 11:00:00

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