Kentucky Football Countdown: No. 26 Ramon Jefferson

Fall camp is here and there’s a new face in the Kentucky football running back room, No. 26 Ramon Jefferson. KSR got a first look at the new rusher on Saturday at Kentucky Football Fan Day. Here’s what he’s bringing to the football field this fall.

About Ramon Jefferson

A native of the Bronx, Jefferson has a ton of college football experience, just not at the FBS level. He started his career with Liam Coen at Maine in 2017 as a redshirt freshman. In 2018 he surpassed 1,000 yards rushing before entering the transfer portal, ultimately landing at Garden City CC, the former home of Terry Wilson.

Last year Jefferson earned second-team All-American honors at Sam Houston State when he helped the Bearkats reach the quarterfinal of the FCS playoffs. He totaled 1,155 yards (6.7 yards per carry) and 13 touchdowns in 12 games.

Why Ramon Jefferson Picked Kentucky

Ramon Jefferson entered the transfer portal and quickly committed to Colorado. After visiting Tennessee and Kentucky, he ultimately chose to spend his sixth and final season in Lexington.

“Just the culture,” Jefferson told KSR’s Adam Luckett about what brought him to Kentucky. “Obviously, the current success definitely attracted me, and once I got on campus just meeting the players, talking to the staff, and just seeing how down to earth and how good everybody was.”

With uncertainties surrounding Chris Rodriguez‘s status in 2022, Jefferson is another quality back Rich Scangarello can lean on in 2022. Familiar with the Wildcats’ scheme, he is a plug-and-play athlete.

2022 Forecast

Ramon Jefferson received the first running back reps during the Wildcats’ no-huddle, 11-on-11 period. He’s clearly comfortable with assignments and he’s built to bust big plays in the wide zone. A shorter bowling ball in the backfield, Will Levis says Jefferson is a Mighty Mouse that’s similar to former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Doug Martin when running the football.

The big question: Will he be RB2? That will not be clear probably until three or four games into the season. Behind Rodriguez the Wildcats have the luxury of too many quality running backs.

“They bring another level of speed. I think they can get that edge and run by people a little easier than C-Rod can,” Levis said Saturday. “But if anything, they just bring depth and confidence because we know that we’re four or five deep at running back where we can throw anybody in and know they’re going to get that same gain. Everybody’s different, but they can make the same plays that C-Rod can which is really cool. I’ve never been on a team this deep at running back.”