New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - Florida quarterback takes it all in, commits to LSU

Jefferson experiences the excitement, backs away from Rutgers

Wednesday, October 24, 2007
By Mike Strom

LSU scored on and off the field in its last-second victory against Auburn on Saturday night at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.

In addition to moving up one place to No. 3 in the BCS standings Sunday, the Tigers also earned their 20th football commitment this past weekend when highly-touted quarterback D.C. Jefferson of Winter Haven, Fla., committed during an official visit to Baton Rouge with his family.

Jefferson, 6-feet-5, 245 pounds, is rated as the nation's No. 8 dual-threat quarterback by rivals.com and the No. 72 overall prospect in Florida. Jefferson also is rated No. 5 nationally in arm strength by rivals.com.

Jefferson had been a verbal commitment to Rutgers since making an unofficial summer visit to the state of New Jersey's flagship university. He also made unofficial trips during the summer to LSU, Auburn and Tennessee.

"I have committed to LSU," Jefferson said Tuesday via telephone before practice. "It has wonderful facilities and (wonderful) coaches. I got along well with the players. I could see myself staying there for three or four years. But mainly it was the atmosphere inside of the stadium. I was in the stands (when LSU scored its last-second touchdown to win 30-24). I was excited. I felt like it couldn't get any better than that."

Winter Haven Coach Charles Tate said he expects Jefferson to remain firm on his LSU commitment and cited three reasons as to why Jefferson chose LSU, starting with the electrifying atmosphere provided by the fans at Tiger Stadium.

"I don't know if there's ever been a place on Saturday night like it," Tate said. "And I think there's been some communication about the number of quarterbacks on campus, and the opportunity for him to play sooner than later. That was a plus. Then the academic center they have there impressed him. That wooed the family."

Jefferson said he made his commitment to LSU Coach Les Miles in person Sunday before he and his family departed the campus. Jefferson was accompanied to LSU by his mother Yolanda, father Adam and grandmother Dorothy.

Jefferson is not yet qualified in his core requirements and test score, but Tate expects Jefferson to reach both standards.

Jefferson was able to visit LSU because the Winter Haven team he captains had an open date. He has directed Winter Haven to a 6-1 record this season after leading the Blue Devils to the Class 4A state quarterfinals in each of his first two seasons as a starter. The Blue Devils were District 12-4A champions last season and eliminated from the playoffs by eventual state champion Plant High School.

"He's a tremendous passer," Tate said. "He can throw the touch pass. He can throw the deep pass. He's comfortable when he's out there on the field. He's not a panic type of quarterback. In the three years he's been our starter, we've played three teams that were ranked No. 1 in the state, and he played in those games just like he played against anyone else. He just plays football relaxed."

Jefferson is the second quarterback to commit to LSU, although Darron Thomas of Aldine, Texas, is classified as an "athlete" by many recruiting services.

NOTE: Wide receiver Corey Surrency, 6-5, 210, of El Camino (Calif.) Community College has committed to Florida State.

LSU and FSU were his finalists.

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