Hooker: QB Jefferson to UT could be a completion

There in the heat of Louisiana, one of the top quarterback prospects in the Southeast determined Tennessee just might be the perfect place to play college football.

Plenty of star power was on hand, led by the camp's namesakes: brothers Peyton and Eli Manning, both starting quarterbacks in the NFL. And there, amid the throng of campers, was D.C. Jefferson.

"He was awed," Winter Haven football coach Charlie Tate said of his star quarterback. "He got to have a (passing) contest with Peyton. It was a wonderful week."

When Jefferson returned home it didn't take him long to figure out what the Manning brothers had in common: David Cutcliffe. Tennessee's offensive coordinator had mentored both -- Eli at Ole Miss and Peyton at UT. Could there be a better path to greatness? Jefferson didn't think so.

The junior was so enamored that he visited UT's practices in Tampa as the Vols prepared for the Outback Bowl in late December. He sounded ready to commit on Monday. Then, hesitated before closing the deal on his recruitment.

"I like them a lot," he said. "I'm going to tell you that much."

The only early bump in the recruiting road came last month when an Internet recruiting service reported Jefferson felt disrespected because UT's coaches weren't calling him as often as they once were.

"I didn't say that, not one time," Jefferson said. "That dude put words in my mouth. All I said was they had stopped talking about me like they used to. I never said anything about them disrespecting me."

The quote, real or not, sent Cutcliffe into damage control. He called Jefferson and explained that spring practice and family obligations limited text messaging time. Jefferson was also reminded that UT doesn't use computer programs to send out automated text messages like some other schools.

So, as it was, UT is again firmly in control. But more challenges lie ahead for both sides to consummate the union. Jefferson is also considering Auburn and LSU, followed by Alabama and Florida State.

In a time when so many quarterbacks are getting bigger and more athletic, Jefferson fits right in at 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds.

"Big time," Jefferson exclaimed. "I just feel like coaches are looking at a new style of quarterback."

When Tate took over Winter Haven's program in 2005, he was concerned that the quarterback he inherited would rely too much on his strong arm.

After all, when Jefferson was a freshman, the previous coaching staff would trot him onto the field mainly to throw Hail Marys.

Tate's concerns were quickly resolved and, now, Winter Haven utilizes an offense with plenty of screens and short passes.

"He's got good touch on the football," Tate said.

As a runner, Jefferson is more like a lumbering (albeit fast) Daunte Culpepper than an explosive Vince Young.

Tate admitted that Jefferson looked a bit robotic early as he adjusted to his growing frame. Tate even compared his gait as a sophomore gait to a Tennessee walking horse. Now, Tate said, Jefferson's style looks much more like a thoroughbred.

"(But) I wouldn't say he's a Kentucky Derby winner," Tate said with a smile.

Still, Tate said Jefferson recently ran the 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds.

"Once he gets going, he's moving," Tate added. "He's not slow."

Speed won't be the issue for Jefferson in the coming months as his recruitment unfolds. His athleticism would be an added bonus for a prostyle offense such as UT's. Tate said the improvement Jefferson needs to make in the coming months has to do with his maturity level.

After turning the program around as a sophomore in 2005, Jefferson and the Blue Devils struggled last season.

"Last year was a little bit tough," Tate said. "He's been projected awhile as being a very good quarterback. He got caught up in stats early and we didn't have many stats early. I was proud of the way he kept leading the team."

Tate's biggest concern is that all the college interest will make it harder for Jefferson to focus on leading his team. Tate said as college letters mount in Jefferson's locker, there's a tendency for teammates to be envious.

"The next phase is 'How do I get people to play above their level? How do I get people to believe I'm pulling for them? How do I correct, not belittle?' That's the challenge we have," Tate said. "We've got to get the rest of the people to pull for him and not against him because they're not in his shoes."

Tate said Jefferson's lack of maturity might be a problem in the classroom if he's not careful.

"He's very capable," Tate said. "That's a little bit of concern. The want-to there hasn't quite caught up. He's getting so much notoriety that he doesn't believe that this could be a tail dragger.

"He's not terrible but he's not his best."