Interview: 3-Star 2021 California WR/FS Vance Jefferson Covers Workouts and Recruiting
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Poway High School athlete Vance Jefferson hit the 2019 season like a tidal wave rolling through the team’s first five games with something to prove. On offense, Jefferson hauled in 15 passes for 182 yards with three trips into the end zone while adding two rushing scores. When the field was flipped, the now 6-0, 190-pound, safety picked off three passes in those five games. The only thing to slow him down during his junior season was an ACL injury, that is now completely healed. Talking to Jefferson, no momentum has been lost from his injury, if anything he has gained power with intense workouts this spring and summer.
With five offers on the table and a mission set for his senior campaign, Jefferson sat down for an RNG catch-up interview taking us inside his workouts with an update on his growing recruiting options.
Interview
Vance, how did the 2019 season go for you on the field?
“It went great for me. My first five games were great, I felt really good. We had a great team, a great quarterback, and great coaches. It was cut short, I hurt my left knee, my ACL. It was tough for me not being on the field, but that is life. I feel great now, the best I have felt since starting playing football.”
Is the knee 100 percent now and you are back on the field doing everything – all athletic moves, running, jumping, and cutting?
“Yes.”
That’s great. Once the 2019 season ended, what did you feel were the strengths to your game as a receiver?
“Definitely my possession catching and catching in traffic. My hands are a lot stronger making it easier to catch in traffic than before.”
What about as a defensive back after picking off three in just five games?
“I had great coaches that taught me a lot. Coach Fig, from my 7v7 team Premium, taught me so much about playing safety. That is my position, and is so much easier to read now.”
Do you have a favorite position?
“I will play wherever a coach wants me. I feel free on defense and I feel I can better change the course of a game for my team on defense, but I will play wherever.”
This offseason, what have you been focusing on with the technical parts of your game as a receiver?
“I have focused on my speed and breaking down in and out of my routes. I want to create better separation and get going up field after the catch for the score not going out of bounds. I want to make that move and go score for my team.”
On the defensive side of the ball, what have you worked on as a free safety/defensive back this offseason?
“This offseason I have been in the weight room a lot working on my physicality. I want to be more of a force against the run game. I want to do as much as I do in the run game as I do in the passing game.”
Over the spring months, how have you worked to improve your speed and agility?
“Running a lot of hills, a lot of hills, working hills a lot, and the ladder for quicker feet. I have been working on strengthening my legs. I have been squatting like crazy to get my legs stronger.”
Coming back from the injury, have you run a 40-yard dash this offseason?
“Yes, I ran a 4.71, but I have been working with a speed trainer. He will help me get it down around 4.5 by the start of the season.”
This was touched on a minute ago, but going more in detail; what have you been doing to add muscle and strength this offseason?
“When the quarantine started I was doing a lot of body weight stuff. I’ve been doing push-ups every night and every morning, sit-ups, doing a lot of dumb bell stuff at my house, and eating healthier. Eating healthier, that is a key part; I’ve been eating a lot of protein.”
Let’s get into recruiting. Which schools are showing interest as the season nears?
“Fresno State, UCLA, Oregon State, a lot of Pac-12 schools. UC-Davis and UCLA have been really strong recruiting me so far.”
How many offers have come your way?
“Five.”
Jefferson’s Offer Sheet (5): Arizona State, Central Michigan, Colorado State, Holy Cross, and University of San Diego
At which position are the schools offering you?
“Mostly as a receiver, but some have been saying I can go either way. Some of the offers are as an athlete but mostly as a receiver.”
Going back to last fall, did you get to take any visits before the NCAA mandated dead period?
“Yes, I visited a few schools. I went to two Arizona State games, a USC game day, a Sac State game, and a trip in March with my 7v7 team to UNC, Virginia Tech, Duke, Michigan State, and Ohio State.”
When the campuses open back up, do you have any visits planned for this summer or fall?
“Yes. I am definitely going to visit Fresno State, I have been talking to them a lot, Colorado State, and ASU again – I have been talking to the coaches as well. Other than that, I am getting ready for the season.”
Vance, it was great catching up with you today. Thank you for your time and good luck with the rest of your summer workouts preparing for the season.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Jefferson family; Vance Jefferson at Virginia Tech (March 2020)
Photo credit: Twitter.com; Vance Jefferson in action