The Detroit Lions finished off the 2021 NFL Draft with the selection of Oregon State running back Jermar Jefferson with the 257th pick (seventh round).
A three-year starter at Oregon State, Jefferson was the featured runner in their spread attack. He was pressed into starting duty as a freshman due to injury, and carried 239 times for 1,380 yards (5.8 average) with 12 touchdowns. He also caught 25 passes that season.
He's coming off a terrific season in 2020 as a junior, averaging 143.0 rushing yards per game (858 yards in only six games), which was the fourth best in college football.
Jefferson (5-10, 206) ran the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds at his pro day, and based off his production in college, he said Saturday he was a little surprised he wasn't drafted sooner. He said Detroit is getting a running back who's going to come in and run angry.
"I've been in this position before," he said. "All my life I've been underrated. Just know the Detroit Lions are getting everything out of me."
View photos of the Lions' 7th round pick, Jermar Jefferson, RB - Oregon State.
Oregon State running back Jermar Jefferson (22) looks for the end zone after hurdling Hawaii defensive back Kalen Hicks (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Oregon State running back Jermar Jefferson (22) scores a touchdown in front of Washington State safety Skyler Thomas (25) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Pullman, Wash. Washington State won 54-53. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Oregon State running back Jermar Jefferson (6) rushes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State in Corvallis, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Oregon State running back Jermar Jefferson (6) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Oregon in Corvallis, Ore., Friday, Nov. 27, 2020. Oregon State won 41-38. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Oregon State running back Jermar Jefferson (6) carries the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Stanford in Corvallis, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. Stanford won 27-24. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Oregon State running back Jermar Jefferson scores a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Oregon in Corvallis, Ore., Friday, Nov. 27, 2020. Oregon State won 41-38. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Oregon State running back Jermar Jefferson (6) scores a touchdown past Washington defensive back Asa Turner (20) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Oregon State Beavers running back Jermar Jefferson during an NCAA football game on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019 in Corvallis, Ore. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Oregon State running back Jermar Jefferson (6) runs 75-yards to score a touchdown on the first play of an NCAA college football game against California in Corvallis, Ore., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Oregon State quarterback Tristan Gebbia (3) hands off the ball to Jermar Jefferson (6) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against California in Corvallis, Ore., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. Oregon State won 31-27. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Oregon State running back Jermar Jefferson (6) outruns Washington State linebacker Ron Stone Jr. (10) into the end zone to score a during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Corvallis, Ore., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. Washington State won 38-28. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Jefferson accrued 2,923 yards with a 5.7-yard average per carry and 27 touchdowns over his three seasons with 15 100-yard rushing contests. He also recorded 43 receptions with only one drop over that span.
"I feel like I'm more of a balanced back," Jefferson said. "I can catch the ball out of the backfield. I feel like I can do it all."
Jefferson knows that special teams might be a big part of his role, and he looks forward to making a contribution there early on.
He joins a Detroit backfield that features a top three of D’Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams and Kerryon Johnson, though Jefferson will have a shot to make the roster with a good camp and finding a role of special teams.
