Justin Jefferson
{{Short description|American football player (born 1999)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Justin Jefferson
| image = Jefferson 2022.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Jefferson with the Minnesota Vikings in 2022
| current_team = Minnesota Vikings
| number = 18
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|6|16}}
| birth_place = St. Rose, Louisiana, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lb = 195
| high_school = Destrehan {{nowrap|(Destrehan, Louisiana)}}
| college = LSU (2017–2019)
| draftyear = 2020
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 22
| pastteams =
- Minnesota Vikings ({{NFL Year|2020}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
- NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2022)
- 2× First-team All-Pro (2022, 2024)
- 2× Second-team All-Pro (2020, 2021)
- 4× Pro Bowl (2020–2022, 2024)
- NFL receptions leader (2022)
- NFL receiving yards leader (2022)
- PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team (2020)
- CFP national champion (2019)
- Second-team All-SEC (2019)
; NFL record:
- Most career receiving yards per game: 96.5{{Cite web |title=NFL Receiving Yards per Game Career Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rec_yds_per_g_career.htm |access-date=December 18, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
| statleague = NFL
| statseason = 2024
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 495
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 7,432
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 40
| pfr = J/JeffJu00
}}
Justin Jamal Jefferson (born June 16, 1999){{Cite web |last=Richards |first=Cabbie |date=November 24, 2022 |title=Cook vs Jefferson: Balloon Battle |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALumTbAM-hI&t=87 |access-date=December 27, 2023 |website=Sportsnet |at=Middle name game (1:28) |via=YouTube |quote=Wrong, Jamal.}} is an American professional football wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers, where he won the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship as a junior before being drafted by the Vikings in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft.
Jefferson has been named to the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro team in four of his first five seasons and has amassed the most receiving yards through a player's first five seasons in NFL history. In 2022, at 23 years old, he became the youngest player to lead the league in receptions (128) and receiving yards (1,809), earning Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Early life
Justin Jamal Jefferson was born on June 16, 1999, to John and Elaine Jefferson.{{Cite news |last=Young |first=Lindsey |date=June 27, 2024 |title=Lunchbreak: Justin Jefferson Ranked No. 1 NFL Player 25 & Under by CBS Sports |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/justin-jefferson-ranked-no-1-player-monte-kiffin |access-date=January 5, 2025 |work=Vikings.com}}{{Cite web |last=Richards |first=Cabbie |date=November 24, 2022 |title=Cook vs Jefferson: Balloon Battle |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&t=82&si=jkjrVbeGphdj6Z4l&v=ALumTbAM-hI&feature=youtu.be&t=87 |access-date=December 27, 2023 |website=Sportsnet |at=Middle name game (1:28) |via=YouTube |quote=Wrong, Jamal.}}{{Cite news |last=Goessling |first=Ben |date=December 31, 2022 |title=Justin Jefferson is the Star Tribune's 2022 Sportsperson of the Year |url=https://www2.startribune.com/justin-jefferson-minnesota-vikings-2022-sportsperson-of-the-year/600239119/ |access-date=January 5, 2025 |work=Star Tribune}} He attended Destrehan High School in Destrehan, Louisiana.{{Cite web |last=Gillen |first=Garland |date=September 16, 2016 |title=Another Jefferson stars for Destrehan football |url=https://www.fox8live.com/story/33114450/another-jefferson-stars-for-destrehan-football |access-date=October 5, 2019 |website=fox8live.com}} A low three-star prospect, ranked by 247Sports as the nation's 308th best wide receiver coming out of high school, he committed to Louisiana State University (LSU) to play college football.{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=Andrew |date=August 3, 2017 |title=Destrehan's Justin Jefferson added to LSU football team |url=https://www.nola.com/sports/high_schools/article_41daf3a4-f0c4-53c5-9d35-457361d4ff55.html |access-date=December 2, 2020 |website=NOLA.com}}{{Cite web |title=Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings, Wide Receiver |url=https://247sports.com/player/justin-jefferson-91653/ |access-date=September 23, 2022 |website=247Sports |language=en-US}}
College career
File:LSUvsNWLA 698A (49104691303).jpg in 2019]]
Jefferson played at LSU for three years under head coach Ed Orgeron.{{Cite web |title=LSU Fighting Tigers Football Record By Year |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/louisiana-state/index.html |access-date=November 18, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
=2017–2018=
After appearing in two games and not recording a catch in his first year at LSU in 2017, Jefferson was their leading receiver in 2018 with 54 catches for 875 yards and six touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Justin Jefferson 2017 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/justin-jefferson-1/gamelog/2017 |access-date=October 9, 2020 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Justin Jefferson 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/justin-jefferson-1/gamelog/2018 |access-date=October 9, 2020 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Guilbeau |first=Glenn |date=August 23, 2019 |title=LSU's Justin Jefferson will transition from Mr. Outside to Mr. Inside at receiver in 2019 |url=https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/sports/college/lsu/2019/08/23/lsu-offense-going-crazy-says-receiver-justin-jefferson/2094927001/ |access-date=October 18, 2024 |website=The Advertiser}} He scored his first collegiate touchdown on a 65-yard reception from Joe Burrow against Ole Miss on September 29, 2018.{{Cite web |title=Ole Miss at LSU Box Score, September 29, 2018 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2018-09-29-louisiana-state.html |access-date=November 18, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} He had two games going over the 100-yard mark with 108 in a victory over Georgia and 117 in a victory over Arkansas.{{Cite web |title=Georgia at LSU Box Score, October 13, 2018 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2018-10-13-louisiana-state.html |access-date=November 29, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=LSU at Arkansas Box Score, November 10, 2018 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2018-11-10-arkansas.html |access-date=November 29, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
=2019=
File:LSU Football at the White House (49400738147) (cropped) Jefferson.jpg, 2020]]
In the Tigers' second game of the 2019 season, Jefferson had nine receptions for 163 yards and three touchdowns in a 45–38 victory on the road against Texas.{{Cite web |title=LSU at Texas Box Score, September 7, 2019 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2019-09-07-texas.html |access-date=November 18, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} On October 12, against Florida, he had ten receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown in the 42–28 victory.{{Cite web |title=Florida at LSU Box Score, October 12, 2019 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2019-10-12-louisiana-state.html |access-date=November 18, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} In the SEC Championship, against Georgia, he had seven receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown in the 37–10 victory.{{Cite web |title=Georgia vs LSU Box Score, December 7, 2019 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2019-12-07-louisiana-state.html |access-date=November 18, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Jefferson and the Tigers qualified for the College Football Playoffs with an undefeated record in the 2019 season.{{Cite web |title=2019 LSU Fighting Tigers Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/louisiana-state/2019.html |access-date=November 18, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} He had a historic performance in the Peach Bowl, catching 14 passes for 227 yards and four touchdowns against the Oklahoma Sooners in the College Football Playoff Semifinals at the Peach Bowl. All four touchdowns came in the first half, setting a College Football Playoff game record and tying the record for any bowl game.{{Cite magazine |last=West |first=Jenna |date=December 29, 2019 |title=Five Things to Know About Justin Jefferson, LSU's Breakout Receiver |url=https://www.si.com/college/2019/12/28/justin-jefferson-lsu-wide-receiver-facts-playoff-peach-bowl |access-date=January 16, 2020 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}} In the National Championship against Clemson, he had nine receptions for 106 yards in the 42–25 victory.{{Cite web |title=College Football Championship – Clemson vs LSU Box Score, January 13, 2020 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2020-01-13-louisiana-state.html |access-date=October 22, 2020 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} In his junior season, Jefferson led the country with 111 receptions. His 18 receiving touchdowns ranked second in the country—behind only teammate Ja'Marr Chase—and his 1,540 receiving yards were ranked third. He had eight games going over the 100-yard mark.{{Cite web |title=Justin Jefferson 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/justin-jefferson-1/gamelog/2019 |access-date=January 30, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2019 Leaders |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/2019-leaders.html |access-date=January 30, 2022 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} On January 15, 2020, Jefferson announced that he would forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Conway |first=Tyler |date=January 15, 2020 |title=LSU WR Justin Jefferson Declares for 2020 NFL Draft |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2871579-lsu-wr-justin-jefferson-declares-for-2020-nfl-draft |access-date=September 29, 2020 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}
=College statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||
| colspan="11" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|LSU Tigers}}"| LSU Tigers | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="2"| Season
! colspan="4"| Receiving ! colspan="4"| Rushing | ||||||||
| Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | |
| 2017
| 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 1 || 4 || 4.0 || 0 | ||||||||
| 2018
| 54 || 875 || 16.2 || 6 || 5 || 26 || 5.2 || 0 | ||||||||
| 2019
| 111 || 1,540 || 13.9 || 18 || 0 || 0 || — || 0 | ||||||||
| [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/justin-jefferson-1.html Career] | 165 | 2,415 | 14.6 | 24 | 6 | 30 | 5.0 | 0 |
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 1 1/4
| weight = 202
| dash = 4.43
| ten split = 1.57
| twenty split = 2.61
| shuttle =
| cone drill =
| vertical = 37.5
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 6
| bench =
| arm span = 33
| hand span = 9 1/8
| wonderlic = 19
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |last=Zierlein |first=Lance |title=Justin Jefferson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/justin-jefferson/32004a45-4626-9287-c454-479b942cbd26 |access-date=March 4, 2020 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=2020 Draft Scout Justin Jefferson, LSU NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1024909&DraftYear=2020 |access-date=November 30, 2022 |website=draftscout.com}}{{Cite web |date=April 16, 2020 |title=Wonderlic scores released for WR prospects, Jeudy and Lamb struggle |url=https://www.knbr.com/2020/04/16/wonderlic-scores-released-for-wr-prospects-jeudy-and-lamb-struggle/ |access-date=June 16, 2021 |website=knbr.com}}
}}
=2020=
{{See also|2020 Minnesota Vikings season}}
Jefferson was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round with the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=White |first=R.J. |date=April 23, 2020 |title=2020 NFL Draft grades: Vikings get an 'A' for selecting Justin Jefferson at No. 22 overall |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2020-nfl-draft-grades-vikings-get-an-a-for-selecting-justin-jefferson-at-no-22-overall/ |access-date=April 23, 2020 |website=CBS Sports}} The Vikings previously obtained the 22nd selection as part of a blockbuster trade that sent wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills, a trade that has been considered by many around the league as one of the “top win-win deals ever.”{{Cite web |title=2020 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2020/draft.htm |access-date=December 18, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Clawson |first=Douglas |date=November 9, 2022 |title=Stefon Diggs for Justin Jefferson swap among NFL's top win-win deals ever: Here's a look at 9 others |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/stefon-diggs-for-justin-jefferson-swap-among-nfls-top-win-win-deals-ever-heres-a-look-at-9-others/ |access-date=October 29, 2023 |website=CBSSports.com}} Jefferson signed a four-year, $13.12 million contract with the team, with a $7.1 million signing bonus.{{Cite web |last=Rapp |first=Timothy |date=July 22, 2020 |title=Report: Justin Jefferson, Vikings Agree to 4-Year, $13.12M Rookie Contract |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2890531-report-justin-jefferson-vikings-agree-to-4-year-13122m-rookie-contract |access-date=December 18, 2020 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}} Jefferson was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on July 27, 2020,{{Cite web |date=July 27, 2020 |title=Vikings Announce Roster Moves |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/justin-jefferson-blake-brandel-brian-cole-tyler-higby-roster-moves |access-date=July 27, 2020 |website=Vikings.com}} before being cleared and activated a week later.{{Cite web |date=August 4, 2020 |title=Vikings Announce Roster Moves; Justin Jefferson Activated |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/justin-jefferson-covid-19-activated-pj-hall-reverts-roster-moves |access-date=August 4, 2020 |website=Vikings.com}}
Jefferson made his debut in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers, recording two receptions for 26 yards.{{Cite web |title=Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings – September 13th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202009130min.htm |access-date=September 20, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He made his first start of the season in a Week 3 game against the Tennessee Titans, where he had his first big breakthrough by finishing with 175 receiving yards and a touchdown on seven receptions, but the Vikings lost 31–30.{{Cite web |title=Tennessee Titans at Minnesota Vikings – September 27th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202009270min.htm |access-date=September 29, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He followed up that performance the next week with four receptions for 103 yards in a 31–23 win over the Houston Texans. In doing so, he became just the fifth rookie wide receiver in Vikings history to have back-to-back games with at least 100 yards receiving.{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Vikings at Houston Texans – October 4th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202010040htx.htm |access-date=October 6, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} During Week 6 against the Atlanta Falcons, Jefferson finished with nine receptions for 166 receiving yards and two touchdowns .{{Cite web |title=Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings – October 18th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202010180min.htm |access-date=October 22, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
In Week 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jefferson recorded nine catches for 121 yards and a touchdown during a 27–24 overtime win, in this game he broke the 1,000 receiving yard mark.{{Cite web |title=Jacksonville Jaguars at Minnesota Vikings – December 6th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202012060min.htm |access-date=December 8, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In Week 15 against the Chicago Bears, Jefferson broke Randy Moss' Vikings rookie receiving record by catching eight passes, putting him at 74 receptions, surpassing the 69 catches Moss had in 1998.{{Cite web |last=DeArdo |first=Bryan |date=December 20, 2020 |title=Vikings' Justin Jefferson breaks Randy Moss' longstanding franchise rookie record |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/vikings-justin-jefferson-breaks-randy-moss-longstanding-franchise-rookie-record/ |access-date=December 20, 2020 |website=CBS Sports}}
By the season's end, Jefferson had set the NFL record for most receiving yards (1,400) by a rookie in NFL history after surpassing Anquan Boldin's 1,377 yards in 2003 (although his record would be broken by his former LSU teammate Ja'Marr Chase the following season).{{Cite web |last=Cronin |first=Courtney |date=January 3, 2021 |title=Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson records most receiving yards for rookie in Super Bowl era |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30644754/minnesota-vikings-wr-justin-jefferson-sets-super-bowl-era-rookie-receiving-yards-record |access-date=January 3, 2021 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} He was one of only two rookies named to the 2021 Pro Bowl, alongside defensive end Chase Young of the Washington Football Team.{{Cite web |last=Sullivan |first=Tyler |date=December 21, 2020 |title=Pro Bowl rosters for NFC and AFC: Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers named starters, two rookies make the cut |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/pro-bowl-rosters-for-nfc-and-afc-patrick-mahomes-and-aaron-rodgers-named-starters-two-rookies-make-the-cut/ |access-date=December 21, 2020 |website=CBS Sports}} He was named Rookie of the Year by the Sporting News.{{Cite web |last=Manning |first=Bryan |date=January 22, 2021 |title=Former LSU star Justin Jefferson is Sporting News rookie of the year |url=https://lsutigerswire.usatoday.com/2021/01/22/former-lsu-tigers-star-justin-jefferson-is-sporting-news-rookie-of-the-year-minnesota-vikings/ |access-date=September 30, 2021 |website=LSU Wire |publisher=USA Today}} He was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team.{{Cite web |title=2020 NFL All-Rookie Team |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/nfl-all-rookie-2020.htm |access-date=November 18, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was ranked 53rd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021.{{Cite web |title=2021 NFL Top 100 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/2021-nfl-top-100.htm |access-date=November 18, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=2021=
{{See also|2021 Minnesota Vikings season}}
Jefferson's season started strong, putting up over 100 receiving yards against the Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, and Los Angeles Chargers over the first eight games of the season. In Week 11, Jefferson had eight catches for 169 yards and two touchdowns in a 34–31 win over the Packers, earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week.{{Cite web |last=Gordon |first=Grant |date=November 24, 2021 |title=Colts RB Jonathan Taylor, Vikings WR Justin Jefferson lead Players of the Week |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/players-of-the-week-2021-week-11-jonathan-taylor-justin-jefferson |access-date=January 3, 2022 |website=NFL.com}} In Week 13, Jefferson caught 11 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown in a 29–27 loss to the Lions. Jefferson's 464 yards and three touchdowns through four games in the month of November earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Month, the first of his career.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Eric |date=December 2, 2021 |title=Justin Jefferson named Offensive Player of Month |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/justin-jefferson-nfc-offensive-player-month-november |access-date=January 24, 2022 |website=vikings.com}} During Week 16, Jefferson passed Odell Beckham Jr. for most receiving yards by a player in his first two NFL seasons.{{Cite web |last=Cronin |first=Courtney |author-link=Courtney Cronin |date=December 26, 2021 |title=Minnesota Vikings' Justin Jefferson breaks record for receiving yards during first two NFL seasons |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32941461/minnesota-vikings-justin-jefferson-breaks-record-receiving-yards-wr-first-two-nfl-seasons |access-date=January 3, 2022 |website=ESPN.com}}
Jefferson finished the season with 1,616 receiving yards, good for second-most in the NFL in 2021, and just 16 yards short of Randy Moss's single-season franchise record.{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Vikings Single-Season Receiving Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/single-season-receiving.htm |access-date=November 18, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2021 NFL Receiving |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2021/receiving.htm |access-date=November 18, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite magazine |last=Ragatz |first=Will |date=January 9, 2022 |title=Justin Jefferson falls 16 yards short of Randy Moss's Single-Season Vikings Receiving Record |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/justin-jefferson-16-yards-short-randy-moss-single-season-vikings-receiving-record |access-date=January 24, 2022 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}{{Cite web |title=Justin Jefferson 2021 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JeffJu00/gamelog/2021/ |access-date=January 30, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Jefferson was named to the 2022 Pro Bowl, joining Randy Moss and Sammy White as the only three Vikings wide receivers to make Pro Bowls in each of their first two professional seasons.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Eric |last2=Peters |first2=Craig |date=December 20, 2021 |title=Justin Jefferson Goes Back-to-Back for Pro Bowl Honors |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/justin-jefferson-randy-moss-2022-pro-bowl |access-date=December 21, 2021 |website=Vikings.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite magazine |last=Ragatz |first=Will |date=December 20, 2021 |title=Vikings' Justin Jefferson, Dalvin Cook, and Harrison Smith Selected to 2022 Pro Bowl |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/vikings-justin-jefferson-dalvin-cook-harrison-smith-selected-2022-pro-bowl |access-date=December 21, 2021 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en}} For the second consecutive year, Jefferson was named a second-team member of the AP All-Pro team, missing a spot on the first-team by a single vote.{{Cite web |date=January 14, 2022 |title=2021 NFL All-Pro Team Voting |url=https://apnews.com/article/nfl-sports-minnesota-indiana-tom-brady-1b8bec302e5d134566def739a78106f2 |access-date=January 24, 2022 |website=The Associated Press}} He was ranked 17th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022.{{Cite web |title=2022 NFL Top 100 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/2022-nfl-top-100.htm |access-date=November 18, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=2022=
{{See also|2022 Minnesota Vikings season}}
File:Justin Jefferson Commanders vs Vikings NOV2022.jpg
Against the Packers in Week 1, Jefferson caught nine passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns in the 23–7 win.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Charean |author-link=Charean Williams |date=September 11, 2022 |title=Justin Jefferson's 184 yards propels Vikings to 23–7 victory over Packers |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/09/11/justin-jeffersons-184-yards-propels-vikings-to-23-7-victory-over-packers/ |access-date=September 12, 2022 |website=ProFootballTalk}} During Week 4 against the New Orleans Saints at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Jefferson finished with 147 receiving yards and a rushing touchdown as the Vikings won 28–25.{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints – October 2nd, 2022 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202210020nor.htm |access-date=November 18, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} The following week against Bears, Jefferson caught a career-high 12 catches resulting in 154 yards receiving in the 29–22 win.{{Cite web |last=Ragatz |first=Will |date=October 9, 2022 |title=Just Like That, Justin Jefferson Leads the NFL in Receiving Yards Again |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/.amp/news/just-like-that-justin-jefferson-leads-nfl-receiving-yards-again |access-date=November 18, 2022 |website=SI.com}} Jefferson's third catch of the game marked 227 career receptions, surpassing Randy Moss for the franchise record of the most receptions in the first three years of a career.{{Cite web |last=Forness |first=Tyler |date=October 9, 2022 |title=Justin Jefferson sets team record on opening touchdown drive |url=https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/2022/10/09/justin-jefferson-sets-team-record-on-opening-touchdown-drive/ |access-date=November 18, 2022 |website=Vikings Wire |language=en-US}}
Against the Buffalo Bills in Week 10, Jefferson caught 10 passes for a career-high 193 yards and a touchdown as the Vikings went on to win 33–30 in overtime.{{Cite web |date=November 13, 2022 |title='Game of the year!': Stars weigh in on Jefferson's fourth-down catch, Vikings' OT win |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35021037/justin-jefferson-fourth-catch-career-high-193-yards-help-vikings-prevail |access-date=November 14, 2022 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} One of Jefferson's catches came with two minutes left in the fourth quarter where on 4th down and 18, Jefferson made a one-handed catch for 32 yards, wrestling the ball away from Bills cornerback Cam Lewis on the way to the ground. The catch was widely heralded as one of the greatest of all time,{{Cite magazine |last=Nelson |first=Joe |date=November 14, 2022 |title=Justin Jefferson's game in Buffalo is one of the best ever |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/bringmethesports/vikings/justin-jeffersons-game-in-buffalo-is-one-of-the-best-ever |access-date=November 15, 2022 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en}} and the play was named the NFL Play of the Year award at the end of the season. His arm sleeves and gloves from the game were also put on display in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.{{Cite web |last=Lawson-Freeman |first=Callie |date=November 16, 2022 |title=Justin Jefferson's Week 10 catch was so amazing the Pro Football Hall of Fame wants a piece of it |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/justin-jeffersons-week-10-catch-was-so-amazing-the-pro-football-hall-of-fame-wants-a-piece-of-it-161600881.html |access-date=November 18, 2022 |website=Yahoo! Sports |language=en-US}} He earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his game against the Bills.{{Cite web |title=2022 NFL Week 10 Leaders & Scores |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2022/week_10.htm |access-date=June 2, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference}} In Week 12, against the New England Patriots, he had nine receptions for 139 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in the 33–26 victory.{{Cite web |title=New England Patriots at Minnesota Vikings – November 24th, 2022 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202211240min.htm |access-date=November 29, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In the game against the Patriots, Jefferson passed Moss for the most receiving yards in a player's first three seasons.{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Craig |date=November 24, 2022 |title=Justin Jefferson Passes Randy Moss' NFL Record Yards in 1st 3 Seasons |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/justin-jefferson-passes-randy-moss-nfl-record-yards-first-3-seasons |access-date=November 29, 2022 |website=www.vikings.com |language=en-US}} He won NFC Offensive Player of the Month for November.{{Cite web |last=Forness |first=Tyler |date=December 1, 2022 |title=Justin Jefferson wins NFC Offensive Player of the Month for November |url=https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/2022/12/01/justin-jefferson-wins-nfc-offensive-player-of-the-month-for-november/ |access-date=June 2, 2023 |website=Vikings Wire |language=en-US}} In Week 14 against the Lions, Jefferson recorded 11 receptions for 223 yards, setting the Vikings single-game record for receiving yards, in the 34–23 road loss.{{Cite web |last=Gates |first=Christopher |date=December 11, 2022 |title=Justin Jefferson sets Vikings' regular season single-game receiving yards record |url=https://www.dailynorseman.com/2022/12/11/23504748/justin-jefferson-minnesota-vikings-regular-season-single-game-receiving-yards-record |access-date=June 2, 2023 |website=Daily Norseman |language=en}} Additionally, in week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts, Jefferson recorded 12 receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown, setting his season total to 1,623 yards, a new career high.{{Cite magazine |last=Nelson |first=Joe |date=December 11, 2022 |title=Failure to clinch: Lions the latest to carve up Vikings defense. |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/bringmethesports/vikings/failure-to-clinch-lions-the-latest-to-carve-up-vikings-defense |access-date=December 11, 2022 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en}} Against the Packers in Week 17, he was held to one catch on five targets for 15 yards, the lowest stats in a game of his career. During the same game, Jefferson appeared to inadvertently hit a referee with his helmet out of clear frustration, and received no punishment for the incident.{{Cite web |last=Bates |first=Daniel |date=January 1, 2023 |title=NFL World Reacts To Justin Jefferson, Referee Incident |url=https://thespun.com/more/top-stories/nfl-world-reacts-to-justin-jefferson-referee-incident |access-date=January 10, 2023 |website=The Spun: What's Trending In The Sports World Today |language=en}}{{Cite magazine |last=Ragatz |first=Will |date=January 1, 2023 |title=Justin Jefferson held to career-low one catch against Jaire Alexander, Packers |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/justin-jefferson-held-career-low-one-catch-jaire-alexander-packers |access-date=January 10, 2023 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en}} He earned first-team All-Pro honors and a third Pro Bowl nomination for his career.{{Cite web |last=Junda |first=Zach |date=January 13, 2023 |title=NFLSU: Justin Jefferson Named First-Team All-Pro |url=https://www.andthevalleyshook.com/2023/1/13/23553848/nflsu-justin-jefferson-named-first-team-all-pro |access-date=June 2, 2023 |website=And The Valley Shook |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2022 Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2022/probowl.htm |access-date=June 2, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
Jefferson finished the 2022 regular season with a league-leading 128 receptions for 1,809 yards and nine total touchdowns (eight receiving, one rushing).{{Cite web |title=Justin Jefferson 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JeffJu00/gamelog/2022/ |access-date=June 2, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He won the Offensive Player of the Year award, as well as being a final candidate for the league MVP award.{{Cite web |last=Simmons |first=Myles |date=February 10, 2023 |title=2022 NFL offensive player of the year: Justin Jefferson |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/02/09/2022-nfl-offensive-player-of-the-year-justin-jefferson/ |access-date=June 2, 2023 |website=ProFootballTalk |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=2022 Awards Voting |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/awards_2022.htm |access-date=June 2, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was ranked second by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023.{{Cite web |title=2023 NFL Top 100 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/2023-nfl-top-100.htm |access-date=February 25, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=2023=
{{See also|2023 Minnesota Vikings season}}
On April 25, 2023, the Vikings picked up the fifth-year option of Jefferson's rookie contract.{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Craig |date=April 25, 2023 |title=Jefferson started the 2023 regular season wiVikings Exercise 5th-Year Option on Justin Jefferson |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/justin-jefferson-contract-5th-year-option |access-date=November 16, 2023 |website=Vikings.com}} Jefferson started the 2023 regular season with nine receptions for 150 yards in a 20–17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1.{{Cite web |title=Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings – September 10th, 2023 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202309100min.htm |access-date=October 29, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Four days later, he had 11 receptions for 159 in a 34–28 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2.{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles – September 14th, 2023 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202309140phi.htm |access-date=October 31, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In Week 3, against the Los Angeles Chargers, he had seven receptions for 149 yards and a touchdown in the 28–24 loss.{{Cite web |title=Los Angeles Chargers at Minnesota Vikings – September 24th, 2023 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202309240min.htm |access-date=October 31, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In Week 4, he had two receiving touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers in the 21–13 victory.{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers – October 1st, 2023 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202310010car.htm |access-date=October 31, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On October 11, 2023, the Vikings placed Jefferson on injured reserve, due to a hamstring injury suffered in Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs.{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Craig |date=October 11, 2023 |title=Justin Jefferson Hits Injured Reserve as Vikings Make Roster Moves |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/justin-jefferson-injured-reserve-roster-moves |access-date=October 27, 2023 |website=Vikings.com}} The Vikings activated Jefferson off of injured reserve on November 28, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Gordon |first=Grant |date=November 28, 2023 |title=Vikings activate WR Justin Jefferson (hamstring) off injured reserve |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/vikings-to-activate-wr-justin-jefferson-hamstring-off-injured-reserve |access-date=November 28, 2023 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}} In his return against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 14, Jefferson caught two passes for 27 yards before leaving with a chest injury in the second quarter.{{Cite web |last=Seifert |first=Kevin |date=December 10, 2023 |title=Vikings' Justin Jefferson avoids 'significant' injury; Josh Dobbs benched |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39086134/vikings-justin-jefferson-suffers-chest-injury-vs-raiders-ruled-out |access-date=December 11, 2023 |website=ESPN.com}}
Despite missing seven games due to injury, Jefferson still managed to finish the 2023 season with over 1,000 receiving yards.{{Cite web |title=Justin Jefferson 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JeffJu00/gamelog/2023/ |access-date=February 25, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} During the season, he set an NFL record for most receiving yards through a player's first four seasons.{{Cite web |last=Ragatz |first=Will |date=December 24, 2023 |title=Vikings' Justin Jefferson breaks yet another NFL record, catches crazy TD |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/vikings-justin-jefferson-breaks-yet-another-nfl-record-catches-crazy-td |access-date=February 25, 2024 |website=Sports Illustrated |language=en}} He was ranked 18th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2024.{{Cite web |title=2024 NFL Top 100 |url=https://aws.pro-football-reference.com/awards/2024-nfl-top-100.htm |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=2024=
{{See also|2024 Minnesota Vikings season}}
On June 3, 2024, Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million contract extension that includes $110 million guaranteed, keeping him under contract with the Vikings through the 2028 season. The deal made Jefferson the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL at an average of $35 million per year.{{Cite web |last=Baca |first=Michael |date=June 3, 2024 |title=Vikings signing WR Justin Jefferson to four-year, $140 million contract extension |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/vikings-signing-wr-justin-jefferson-to-four-year-140-million-contract-extension |access-date=June 3, 2024 |website=NFL.com |language=en}}
In Week 2, Jefferson caught a 97-yard touchdown pass and achieved 400 career receptions in a 23–17 win over the San Francisco 49ers. He also tied Lance Alworth for the fastest player in NFL history to achieve 6,000 career receiving yards, doing so in 62 games.{{cite web|url=https://clutchpoints.com/vikings-news-justin-jefferson-history-vs-49ers|title=Vikings' Justin Jefferson makes history during contest vs. 49ers Vikings' Justin Jefferson makes history during contest vs. 49ers|website=ClutchPoints|last=Fritz|first=Douglas|date=September 15, 2024|access-date=September 15, 2024}} In Week 11 against the Tennessee Titans, Jefferson passed Torry Holt for the most receiving yards in a player's first five NFL seasons.{{cite news |last=Ragatz |first=Will |title=Justin Jefferson breaks Torry Holt's record for yards in first five seasons |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/justin-jefferson-breaks-torry-holts-record-for-yards-in-first-five-seasons-01jcxqdzv9h8 |access-date=November 17, 2024 |work=Sports Illustrated |date=November 17, 2024}} Jefferson eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in Week 13 against the Arizona Cardinals, becoming the fourth receiver in NFL history to record 1,000 yards in each of his first five seasons.{{cite news |last=Peters |first=Craig |title=Justin Jefferson Punches 5th Consecutive 1,000-Yard Season |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/justin-jefferson-1000-yard-5th-consecutive-season-nfl-history |access-date=December 1, 2024 |work=Vikings.com |date=December 1, 2024}} After a career-long six game touchdown drought, Jefferson had his first multi-touchdown performance of the season in Week 14 against the Atlanta Falcons, finishing with 132 yards and two scores in a 42–21 victory.{{cite news |last=Peters |first=Craig |title=Vikings vs. Falcons Game Observations: Sam Darnold Throws 5 TDs |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/sam-darnold-justin-jefferson-jordan-addison-falcons-game-observations |access-date=December 9, 2024 |work=Vikings.com |date=December 8, 2024}}{{cite news |title=Justin Jefferson catches first TD since October, Vikings lead Falcons 14-10 at halftime |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/justin-jefferson-catches-first-td-192853125.html |access-date=December 9, 2024 |work=Yahoo Sports |date=December 8, 2024}} In Week 16, he had ten receptions for 144 yards and two touchdowns in a 27–24 win over the Seattle Seahawks.{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks - December 22nd, 2024 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202412220sea.htm |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} He finished the 2024 season with 103 receptions for 1,533 yards and ten touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Justin Jefferson 2024 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JeffJu00/gamelog/2024/ |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
NFL career statistics
| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2"| Legend |
| style="background:#ffd700; width:3em;"| |
| style="background:#e0cef2; width:3em;"|
| NFL record |
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|
| Led the league |
| Bold
| Career best |
=Regular season=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="6"| Receiving ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Y/G | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | |
| 2020 | MIN
| 16 || 14 || 88 || 1,400 || 15.9 || 87.5 || 71 || 7 || 1 || 2 || 2.0 || 2 || 0 || 1 || 0 | ||||||||||||||
| 2021 | MIN
| 17 || 17 || 108 || 1,616 || 15.0 || 95.1 || 56 || 10 || 6 || 14 || 2.3 || 11 || 0 || 1 || 1 | ||||||||||||||
| style="background:#ffd700; width:3em;"|2022 | MIN
| 17 || 17 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 128 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 1,809 || 14.1 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 106.4 || 64 || 8 || 4 || 24 || 6.0 || 10 || 1 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | MIN
| 10 || 9 || 68 || 1,074 || 15.8 || 107.4 || 52 || 5 || 1 || −12 || −12.0 || −12 || 0 || 1 || 1 | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | MIN
| 17 || 17 || 103 || 1,533 || 14.9 || 90.2 || 97 || 10 || 1 || 3 || 3.0 || 3 || 0 || 1 || 0 | ||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JeffJu00.htm Career] | 77 | 74 | 495 | 7,432 | 15.0 | style="background:#e0cef2;"| 96.5 | 97 | 40 | 13 | 31 | 2.4 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
=Postseason=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | |
| 2022 | MIN
| 1 || 1 || 7 || 47 || 6.7 || 10 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||
| 2024 | MIN
| 1 || 1 || 5 || 58 || 11.6 || 22 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JeffJu00.htm Career] | 2 | 2 | 12 | 105 | 8.8 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Personal life
His brothers, Jordan and Rickey, also played college football at LSU. Their father, John, played Division II college basketball.{{Cite web |last=Kubena |first=Brooks |date=September 20, 2018 |title=LSU family legacy continues through Justin Jefferson: 'It's like he was destined to do it' |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/article_415c10de-bd26-11e8-9f4f-e3944215315b.html |access-date=October 9, 2020 |website=The Advocate}} On April 27, 2021, Jefferson was the first NFL player to have a reference in Fortnite with the dance, the Griddy.{{Cite web |last=Richard |first=Isaiah |date=April 26, 2021 |title=Justin Jefferson Gets 'Fortnite' Skin: He's the First NFL Player to Get One—When is the Release Date? |url=https://www.techtimes.com/articles/259571/20210426/fortnite-nfl-justin-jefferson-gets-skin-griddy-emote-battle-royale.htm |access-date=January 3, 2022 |website=Tech Times |language=en}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
{{footballstats|espn=4262921|yahoo=32692|nfl=justin-jefferson|pfr=J/JeffJu00|cbs=2871343/justin-jefferson}}
- [https://www.vikings.com/team/players-roster/justin-jefferson/ Minnesota Vikings bio]
- [https://lsusports.net/roster.aspx?rp_id=20252 LSU Tigers bio]
{{2019 LSU Tigers football navbox}}
{{2020 NFL Draft}}
{{VikingsFirstPick}}
{{Vikings2020DraftPicks}}
{{Minnesota Vikings roster navbox}}
{{AP Offensive Players of the Year}}
{{NFL receptions leaders}}
{{NFL receiving yardage leaders}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jefferson, Justin}}
Category:People from St. Rose, Louisiana
Category:Players of American football from St. Charles Parish, Louisiana
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Destrehan High School alumni
Category:LSU Tigers football players
Category:Minnesota Vikings players