With Oregon State’s preseason football camp on Aug. 1 less than a month away, we look at the Beavers’ top 19 players for 2019. A 19-for-’19, if you will. Come back each day for the newest player on this list. We continue with No. 2, running back Jermar Jefferson.
NO. 2: JERMAR JEFFERSON
Physical stats: 5-10, 216
Year: Sophomore
Position: Running back
How he arrived at OSU: Part of Jonathan Smith’s first signing class in 2018
2018 season: Sensational first year, as Jefferson set a true freshman school record by rushing for 1,380 yards. Among his highlights: 254 yards against Arizona State, 238 against Southern Utah, and four touchdowns each in games against Washington State and Southern Utah.
Career numbers: 12 games, 9 starts, 239 carries, 1,380 yards, 12 touchdowns. 25 receptions for 147 yards.
Value to 2019 team: Jefferson doesn’t have to match last year’s rushing numbers to be as productive. In fact, if things work out for the Beavers, he probably won’t, because it means Artavis Pierce had a fine season and picked up a lot of the load at running back. But Jefferson clearly heads into the season as the lead back, and he’s capable of big performances almost every week. Once Jefferson became a regular during Week 2, he had only two below-par performances, and many good ones. Surely defensive coordinators have studied Jefferson this offseason and they’ll be ready in 2019. But, so too have the Beavers coaches in helping Jefferson add to his game. Not to mention Jefferson played last season without the benefit of any meaningful college-level weight training and conditioning. He’s a year older, stronger and wiser. To take the next step, Jefferson has to improve in pass protection – this is a must after last year’s war on OSU quarterbacks – and become more of receiving threat.
Of interest: Jefferson owns two of the top four single-game rushing yardage performances at Oregon State.
Previous 19-for-’19
No. 19: Elu Aydon
No. 18: Tyjon Lindsey
No. 17: Isaiah Dunn
No. 16: David Morris
No. 15: Trevon Bradford
No. 14: Gus Lavaka
No. 13: Tristan Gebbia
No. 12: Artavis Pierce
No. 11: Brandon Kipper
No. 10: Blake Brandel
No. 9: Jalen Moore
No. 8: Noah Togiai
No. 7: Jesiah Irish
No. 6: Avery Roberts
No. 5: Hamilcar Rashed Jr.
No. 4: Isaiah Hodgins
No. 3: Jordan Whittley
--Nick Daschel | ndaschel@oregonian.com | @nickdaschel
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