Stefphon Jefferson 2013 NFL Draft Diary: Combine Training
By Stefphon Jefferson, as told to Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell
WalterFootball.com is proud to introduce our 2013 NFL Draft Diary with Nevada running back Stefphon Jefferson. Throughout the draft process, Stefphon will be sharing his experience with the readers of WalterFootball.com. He will hit on the team interviews, the NFL Scouting Combine, his pro day, pre-draft visits, and of course, his draft-day experience.
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Jefferson finished second in the nation in rushing in 2012 with 1,883 yards. He led the country with 24 rushing touchdowns while averaging 5.02 yards per carry. He also was a factor in the passing game, chipping in 22 receptions for 170 yards and a touchdown. After his prolific season, Jefferson decided to enter the 2013 NFL Draft.
WalterFootball.com would like to thank Stefphon Jefferson for his participation. We would also like to thank Stefphon’s agent Kelli Masters of KMM Sports for helping to facilitate Stefphon’s draft diary. Jefferson and Masters are readers of WalterFootball.com, so it was a natural fit to approach them about having Stefphon’s draft diary here. We are thrilled to have Stefphon share his journey with all of you. Now, let’s allow Stefphon take over. |
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Right now I’m deep in combine preparation and it is going well. I’m down in Naples, Florida working hard with a good group of guys. The most challenging part for me would have to be the interview process. During the season I had a lot of media interviews, but I’m still trying to prepare for the team interviews. They can be pretty intense so I’m staying focused on just being myself. The combine work for the 40 and all the drills are going well. Everything I’m being taught right now is different and new.
However, the combine prep kind of reminds of me this time a year ago. In the offseason before last season I put in a lot of extra work. I spent extra time in the weight room. I stayed on the field longer after practice. That really helped me. I just wanted to prove to everyone this season who I was and I wanted to prove to everyone that I can be a feature back.
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There is always room for improvement. The workouts in Naples have been great working on my lateral movement and ball security. Everything from the interviews to the drills have been really good preparation for me.
There are pros and cons to coming out early. Me being a very spiritual guy I just leaned towards God about my decision. Not only that, our coaching staff had a big thing to do with it. Our coaching staff left and I didn’t necessarily feel like I would have the same success I had this past season next year. I’m definitely staying in contact with my coaches. They give me some pointers here and there. It was kind of sad to see our coach retire. He’s a great coach. He helped me understand the pistol a lot more than I did. It really helped me to have the year that I did. |
Stefphon Jefferson – listed as a Round 4-6 player in our 2013 NFL Draft Running Back Rankings. |
In fall camp, our coaches harped on being consistent and resilient. I wanted to focus on that. One of my best friends started a Bible study, and that really helped prepare me mentally for the season. Then right before the first game my family got in a bad car accident. Fortunately they were okay and everyone ended up all right, but I was playing for them and that just kind of set the tone for the season.
It was scary at first but it helped hit the trigger to remain resilient. It was the first test on how are you going to bounce back. It was motivation for the season. It was a great year and everything I did was for them. I think that was what sparked the season.
The highlights of the year was in the opener at Cal’s new stadium. It was their opener so I think going in there with a win started off the season well. We didn’t end it the way we wanted it to end, but the win at Cal was probably the highlight.
I’m really enjoying watching a lot of Nevada guys thrive in the NFL right now. Seeing Colin Kaepernick playing in the Super Bowl and a lot of other guys making an impact around the league is a lot of fun, where they’re at now is where I want to be. Kaepernick and others set the tone for me when I was a young guy at Nevada. Seeing them succeed just fuels me to keep pushing.
Stefphon Jefferson 2013 NFL Draft Diary: Home
Stefphon Jefferson 2013 NFL Draft Diary: Draft Weekend - 4/26
Stefphon Jefferson 2013 NFL Draft Diary: Pro Day - 4/1
Stefphon Jefferson 2013 NFL Draft Diary: Post-Combine - 3/9
Stefphon Jefferson 2013 NFL Draft Diary: Combine Training - 2/10
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