Snoop Youth Football League Alum, Jermar Jefferson, presented a competitive rushing game for the Oregon State Beavers last season. His efforts at the running back position earned him Pac-12 Freshmen Offensive Player of the Year and an All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention.
Jefferson had more rushing yards than any other freshman in the country with 1,380 yards. He now holds the Oregon State freshman rushing record.
He was a starting running back for seven games but found playing time in every game during his freshmen campaign. Jefferson racked up over 100 yards in seven games, he also made 25 catches for 147 yards. This early opportunity surprised Jefferson, exceeding his expectations of getting playing time.
“I didn’t know it was gonna happen that fast,” Jefferson said. “I came in grinding and working hard, trying to fight for a spot. Whenever my name was called, I was always ready.”
Prior to his first game this season, Jefferson was on the 2019 preseason All-Pac-12 second team and he is also on the Doak Walker award watchlist. The Doak Walker award honors one of the nations most talented running back for their academics, athletics, and community service.
During Oregon State’s game against the University of Hawai’i, Jefferson got a 45-yard run. Although the Beavers lost to the Rainbow Warriors 28-31, Jefferson led all rushers with 183 yards.
The transition from high school to college was a challenge for Jefferson academically, he soon relied on school resources and personnel to help him maintain good academic standing.
“I had my coaches and my councilors help me out a lot with study hall and my tutors,” Jefferson said. “When I first came in, I was struggling for a bit and as it goes on, you get used to it.”
Along with adjusting to the quickness of gameplay, Jefferson learned the game of football, something he was not privy to during his high school years.
“My position coach taught me the game of football … like learn up fronts and defenses,” Jefferson said. “You got to know other positions like receivers, what they’re doing.”
For high school, Jefferson attended Redondo Union for three years before attending Narbonne high school. During his senior season, he helped the Gauchos win the inaugural CIF City Section Open Division championship and ultimately a Division 1-A State Championship.
“I never got that far in the playoffs,” he said. “I feel once you get that far, your body starts to hurt, and you get to know how to take care of it.”
During his time at Oregon State, Jefferson found a fondness for a Bowling class that he took.
“We only had it once a week,” Jefferson said. “It was fun, I’m better at it now.”
Jefferson played for the Compton Vikings in the Snoop League when he was growing up. The team won five super bowl wins in a row. He also did track and field, where he ran the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m.
“My position coach wanted me to run and that’s what I did,” Jefferson said. “I think it helped a lot, I went to City [championships] and I went to State for it.”
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