Wesley Jefferson is finally on patrol.
The linebacker came to Maryland three years ago with tight end Vernon Davis as five-star recruits. Davis developed into the nation’s top tight end and scored a $24 million deal as San Francisco’s first-round pick in April. Jefferson has been stuck behind All-American D’Qwell Jackson, who went in the second round.
Finally, Jefferson is unshackled in the middle after spending some time as an outside linebacker. Now he can prove whether one of Maryland’s top recruits in coach Ralph Friedgen’s five seasons is truly worth the lofty expectations.
“Absolutely. Oh yeah, absolutely,” said Jefferson of two remaining seasons of eligibility to prove himself. “There’s pressure, whether real or perceived. It’s difficult [being a reserve] at first, but like anything in life worth having, you have to wait for it and work for it. It’s my time right now.”
Jefferson was the first major recruit out of “Linebacker High, normally known as Gwynn Park High in Brandywine. The Yellow Jackets have since sent a steady stream to Division I schools while winning a state title last year, but Jefferson’s choice of Maryland was a mild surprise. Then again, Gwynn Park wasn’t a popular choice until recent success.
“Things are more modeled after Maryland now than when I was [at Gwynn Park],” he said. “A lot of guys want to go there now.”
Jefferson is a barrel of enigmas. Jefferson plays the piano, sometimes in hotel lobbies, but forget any thoughts over his being soft. He has wanted to be a Maryland state trooper since first grade. The criminology major even wavers on whether he would forsake law enforcement for a pro football career. After recent ridealongs with police, Jefferson seems as eager to capture bad guys as ballcarriers.
That disciplined career spills onto the football field. Jefferson’s confidence has clearly increased after no longer struggling with schemes following three seasons.
“I can play faster because I know what’s going on better,” he said. “The more you know, the faster you can play. It’s slowed down before, but now it’s like everyone’s walking compared to running.”
But can Jefferson make Maryland fans forget Jackson as quickly as Jackson eclipsed predecessor E.J. Henderson, who was a 2001 first-rounder?
“I hope that I can be as versatile as D’Qwell,” Jefferson said. “We have the same sort of style. He liked to attack, and I like to attack. I just want to be involved and doing something on every single play that the defenseis on the field. Hopefully, I can continue what D’Qwell left off.”
Meanwhile, Jefferson advised freshmen on how to acclimate as reserves following their own celebrated high school careers.
“I’d tell him be quiet and do what you’re told,” he said. “Those two things will take you far.”
The right to remain silent? Sounds like a cop already.
Rick Snider has covered local sports for 28 years. Contact him at rsnider@dcexaminer.
