LB Justin Jefferson (4.25.26)
What does it mean to you to join a linebacking core that features Carson Schwesinger, the NFL defensive rookie of the year?
“It means a lot to me. I mean, definitely, it’s a guy that has been doing very well for himself and he’s still relatively new to the league, somebody to help give me pointers and we can shoot all still grow together in general.”
Hey, Justin, what about the fact that the Browns seem to like and have liked other players that fit your physical profile, such as, like Devin Bush having success here? They traded for Quincy Williams, those guys are similar sizes to you. So how do you think you’ll fit in this system given the success that a guy like Devin Bush has had?
“Man, if it’s in the Lord’s will. I think I’ll be able to do exceptional. I think I’d be able to do exceptional and honor God in how hard I play.”
Hey, Justin, tell us about what kind of passion you have for special teams, because that could be a good way for you to contribute here.
“Oh, I have a big passion for special teams, I love special teams. Even at the combine and any other visit I have, I’ve always told them, I’m like, ‘hey, I never shy away from beating up on nobody.’ So special teams is something that I’ve always asked to be on and will always want to be on.”
Justin, you mentioned your excitement playing with the linebacker core here in Cleveland, but just beyond that, just the defense that this team has and playing behind the strong pass rush that they have in Myles Garrett and everyone across the line. Where do you think your impact will be and how excited are you to play in that group as a whole?
“Man, like I said, I’m very excited. A lot of new stuff that I have to learn and just like I said earlier just being able to grow with the young guys that’s already been there for a little second and being able to run around, fly around and shoot, play some good ball, bring home the win. It means a lot to me. It means a lot to me to be chosen. Shoot, I’m going to do everything I need to.”
Hey, Justin, the Browns went back-to-back Alabama guys, what can you tell us about Parker (Brailsford)?
“Parker Brailsford, that’s a real leader right there. That’s a real true through and through leader. He’s a leader. I love the way he carries himself off the field. Like, I’m just talking about the man, not the football player, he carries himself. He takes care of his business. He’s a good friend, good person. He’s real good people. And I’m super excited for him to be drafted in general. And I’m especially excited to be a teammate of his again, for sure. That’s a real good guy. Real good competition. Very good competition.”
Justin, I see here that you transferred from Pearl River Community College. Was there a point in your career, your football career, that you thought that you might not get to this point? And what does it mean to you to get drafted?
“Man, it means everything to me. I come from real humble beginnings. Real humble beginnings. I come from Memphis, a school that doesn’t have a lot of recruits coming out in general. I go to Juco, to a Juco that doesn’t have a lot of recruits coming out in general. And I just honor God in the way that I existed, the way that I went about my life. And I feel like God honored me a little bit and I got to continue to hold up my bargain so I can continue getting honored because this is our favor from the Lord. I come from Memphis, Tennessee. I went to Bartlett High School. I went to Juco. I went to Pearl River Community College. You don’t hear that too often. And I’m just blessed and honored to be in this position and to be with my family and to take my talents to the next level and continue to do what I love. It means everything to me. And I gotta continue to honor God and how I go about my life and go about my task and just everything.”
Have you gotten a chance to know Jerry Jeudy at all? From maybe him just being around the program and how excited are you to be on the same team with someone like that?
“Oh, Jerry Jeudy. I might have met him one or two times. I don’t know him personally too much, but still, at the end of the day, that’s Alabama brother. He’s a legend at Bama. I’m honored and blessed to be able to call him my teammate. Just as I heard you earlier say something about Myles Garrett, shoot. I come from real humble beginnings. I’m fighting back emotions because I come from real humble beginnings. And just to be able for y’all to say all this nice stuff to me and for me to be doing any of this and all of this, really, it’s just a true blessing. It’s a blessing.”
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