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Georgia defensive lineman Jonathan Jefferson pursuing transfer

Palmber-Thombsby:Palmer Thombs12/04/23

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Mackenzie Miles/UGA Sports Communications

The transfer portal officially opened at midnight, and action has begun in Athens. Georgia defensive lineman Jonathan Jefferson announced his intentions to enter on Monday with two years of eligibility remaining for him at the school of his choosing.

A native of Douglasville, Ga. Jefferson spent three seasons in red and black. He saw action in 13 career contests with the majority of those coming in 2023. His first season on campus was spent largely learning from the elder defensive linemen above him on the depth chart before seeing his first collegiate action late in the season in a home game against Charleston Southern. Jefferson was credited with three tackles. Then, in 2022, he played in four totaling two stops – one each in games against Samford and Vanderbilt. He also saw action versus Oregon and Georgia Tech, credited with a quarterback hurry in the win over the Yellow Jackets. In 2023, Jefferson logged snaps in seven games, recording one tackle against Kentucky.

Jefferson was the No. 136 overall player in the country and No. 17 defensive linemen for the Class of 2021 per the On3 Consensus. He chose the Bulldogs over the likes of Florida, Auburn and Alabama in March prior to his season season. As a junior at Douglas County, Jefferson totaled 77 tackles including 15 sacks and 13 tackles for loss with five quarterback hurries, four pass breakups, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and an interception. He scored two touchdowns on the year.

The NCAA student-athlete transfer portal launched in 2018. It marked a chance from when student-athletes had to get a release from their school to transfer to another and they could be limited as to where they transferred. The portal allows student athletes to simply notify their current school and its compliance department that they intend to move on to another program.

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Since its implementation, Georgia has added several notable prospects. That list includes Lawrence Cager (Miami), Eli Wolf (Tennessee), Tre’ McKitty (Florida State), Derion Kendrick (Clemson), Tykee Smith (West Virginia), Rara Thomas (Mississippi State) and Dominic Lovett (Missouri), among others. The Bulldogs have had years when they’ve been active in the portal, attempting to take as many as four prospects before the 2021 season. They have also had seasons like 2022 when they didn’t take a single player and went on to go 15-0 and win the National Championship for a second straight season.

Portal needs for Georgia in the current class include defensive line and wide receiver, where it is expected to land multiple players at each position. The Bulldogs could also be in the market at running back, outside linebacker, offensive tackle, or safety. If a player wants to transfer from SEC school to SEC school, he must do so by January 2 when the current window closes. There is another window that will open in the spring but, at that point, a player must transfer in from outside the conference. 

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