While the college football world waits anxiously for the decision of super-recruit quarterback Terrelle Pryor, LSU fans need look no further than Destrehan for their newest signal caller. Destrehan High School quarterback Jordan Jefferson was one of LSU’s most noteworthy National Signing Day pickups Feb. 6, signing his letter of intent after a three-month verbal commitment. “It felt real good to finally sign that letter,” Jefferson said “It’s just good to actually be heading to that next level, and a national championship just shows [LSU] is a good program.” Jefferson was not exactly a high-profile prospect in 2007, despite a spectacular high school career. He led Destrehan to an undefeated record and a Class 5A state championship as a senior, including a playoff campaign that included five victories by an average of 31.8 points. “We just had the right game plan for every team, and we put points on the board every time we could,” Jefferson said. The title was Destrehan’s first since 1973. Jefferson earned Class 5A First Team All-State honors after throwing for 2,846 yards and 24 touchdowns with only three interceptions. But Scout.com rated him only as a three-star prospect, possibly because a broken wrist caused him to miss the majority of the 2006 season. Destrehan football coach Stephen Robicheaux praised his former play caller’s perseverance through the injury. “[Jordan] would have been one of the biggest players in the area if he hadn’t been injured,” Robicheaux said. Jefferson broke his wrist against John Ehret in week four of the 2006 season but recovered in time to lead the Wildcats against Carencro in the state playoffs. The game was the only loss of his high school career. “It was difficult to recover the strength in my arm,” Jefferson said. “But I threw for 300 yards and four touchdowns.” The performance, paired with the lack of media attention, inspired Jefferson for his senior season. “It definitely motivated me because I felt like I was being looked over,” Jefferson said. “I went to camp with a lot of the highly-rated guys, and I was doing just as well.” Robicheaux also said that his quarterback’s statistics could have been better; the lopsided nature of many of the Wildcats’ games saw Jefferson sitting out as early as the third quarter. “[Jefferson] has talent that hasn’t even been touched yet,” Robicheaux said. “There’s the 24 touchdowns with only three interceptions, but as you saw in the Super Dome, he can run pretty well too.” Jefferson showed off his arm and speed in the state title game, completing 10 of 13 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 40 yards and a touchdown that opened the scoring. One of his touchdown passes was an 80-yard bomb to wide receiver and fellow LSU commit Timothy Molton. “A lot of things have to happen for those two guys to start together, but they’re both competitors and great players,” Robicheaux said. Jefferson is an experienced shotgun quarterback, but the many formations of LSU’s offense do not intimidate the Gatorade Player of the Year. “At Destrehan, we ran the shotgun the whole time, never under center,” Jefferson said. “But it’s about what works, and all of the formations just make the offense look more impressive.” Jefferson may have avoided the media spotlight, but as the season progressed, he got the one offer he hoped for. The home town influence of LSU and its shortage of quarterbacks made his decision relatively easy. “Alabama had been looking at me, but nobody showed the amount of interest that LSU did,” Jefferson said. “[LSU coach Les Miles] offered me right before the Louisiana Tech game. As soon as I got that offer, I knew where I was going.” Although LSU junior quarterback Ryan Perrilloux is considered the heir-apparent of the LSU offense, the 6-foot-4-inch Jefferson will have a chance to make an immediate impact on a depth chart that features only Perrilloux, junior Andrew Hatch, and sophomore Jarrett Lee. “I’m in a great position,” Jefferson said, “I’m looking to get on the field, but I don’t want to play early and do terrible. Every player would like to redshirt and see how everything works, but it would also be great to not redshirt just as proof that I am ready to contribute.” If Jefferson’s resiliency is not proof enough, his résumé should squash any skeptics. “LSU is getting a smart, accurate quarterback,” Robicheaux said. “And LSU fans are going to be pleased with what they see.”
—-Contact David Helman [email protected]