STARKVILLE – A.J. Jefferson is on pace to have one of the best seasons by a Mississippi State defensive end.
The junior has been stellar for the Bulldogs up front and is making a name for himself with Bulldog fans and around the country.
But Jefferson doesn’t it view it that way. Instead, he is just playing the game he loves. He’ll get another chance to play that game when the Bulldogs (5-2, 1-2) host the Kentucky Wildcats (4-2, 2-2) Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. from Davis Wade Stadium and can be seen on the SEC Network.
“It really just feels like I’m having fun,” Jefferson said. “When you make plays, it’s always fun. Getting to celebrate with your teammates, it just feels good.”
There is no reason Jefferson should not be having fun. In seven games, he is third in the Southeastern Conference with 10.5 tackles for loss, the most by a Bulldog since linebacker Chris White had 12 in the first seven games in 2010. White, who was a member of the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl champion team last season, finished the 2010 campaign with 15.5 tackles for loss and 110 total tackles. He won the Conerly Trophy for his efforts.
Along with his tackles for loss, Jefferson has 35 total tackles, four sacks, four quarterback hurries, and one forced fumble.
MSU coach Dan Mullen prides his program on being developmental. He and his coaching staff have taken some underrated talent and turned them into National Football Leage players.
They also bring guys along and make them good college players. Jefferson has fit into that mold.
“He is a guy that was really young in his career, trying to figure it out, learn what’s going on within the program,” Mullen said. “Over the last year, he is a guy to me that has bought into what our program is all about.”
Jefferson recorded 28 total tackles (seven for loss) last season and 20 tackles (four for loss) as a redshirt freshman in 2013.
He was a reserve last season and watched Preston Smith, who was drafted by the Washington Redskins, have the best season in his career. He is trying to replicate what Smith did last year, but he is doing it in his own way. Being a reserve really helped him come into his own.
The 6-foot-3, 277-pound Jefferson, has gotten used to David Turner’s coaching style. The defensive line coach returned to Starkville in 2013.
“I feel like coach Turner prepared me well,” Jefferson said. “I pretty much know how he wants things done now. Everything’s the same every day.”
Jefferson has developed a chemistry with his fellow defensive linemen. Senior defensive end Ryan Brown, junior defensive tackle Chris Jones, and junior defensive tackle Nick James have improved their communication this season and it has led to better results. Against Troy, the four combined for 20 tackles (six for loss).
Junior defensive tackle Nelson Adams recovered a fumble for a touchdown in the contest as well.
Jefferson is outspoken and he’s never shy. That mirrors his play on the field.
“He’s a guy that plays with a little nastiness to him,” Mullen said. “He really does do a good job of setting the tempo for our defense out there on the field.”
Along with helping the defense, Jefferson has been helping senior quarterback Dak Prescott and the offense in practice.
“He really gets the best out of me,” Prescott said. “He’s the guy that puts that time clock in my head. He makes sure that he is getting after us each and every day. He makes our offensive line better, makes better protects, and makes me realize that I need to get the ball out of my hands.”
Jefferson has five more games this season and will have next season as well to continue his development into an NFL prospect. And with all the defensive linemen Mullen has put into the NFL the last six years – eight – Jefferson could make the list grow.
“The hard work, the sacrifice committed to doing and being the absolute best he can be every single day when he shows up to work (shows),” Mullen said. “He is physically developed and he has developed himself with technique and his understanding of the game and how to make plays on the field.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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