Ramon Jefferson planning to bring physicality, toughness to table at Kentucky

Mark Stoops said Sam Houston State transfer Ramon Jefferson had some “really tough runs” in Kentucky football’s scrimmage on Saturday, a “very physical” running back who “did some really good things.” Will Levis added that the FCS All-American is a “great player for us,” comparing him to a “little bowling ball.”

“Like a smaller version of Chris (Rodriguez), maybe a little shiftier,” Levis said of Jefferson. “He’s got a good feel too, just a smart football player. He’s doing a really good job in protection, getting in his spots in the passing game, able to catch balls out of the backfield. As long as he just plays how he is and who he is as a player, he’s going to get reps for us and make an impact, for sure. I’m excited.”

Jefferson, a 5-foot-10, 215-pound Bronx, NY native, is expected to take over starting running back reps with Rodriguez likely suspended to open the season. No matter how long he leads the charge out of the backfield — the expectation is the preseason First Team All-SEC honoree will miss three to four weeks — he plans to take advantage of the opportunity.

He’ll be locked in when the Wildcats take the field against Miami (OH) to open the season on Sept. 3.

“Me, when I get on the field, I’m just focused, man. I’m locked in,” Jefferson said Tuesday. “My mom always told me, ‘Don’t be too emotional when you’re playing. Be soft-spoken and have that approach, but have that physical mindset when you’re playing. It’s about staying locked in, something that comes out when I’m on the field.

“I always try to be in control of everything, bad play, good play, just take it to the next play and be focused on attacking that play.”

Jefferson started his career at Maine, redshirting in 2017 before being named the Thurlow Cooper Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2018 after racking up 1,037 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. He then played at Garden City Community College in 2019, finishing with 994 yards and 13 touchdowns while also not losing a fumble in 168 carries on the season. Then, he transferred to Sam Houston State, where he amassed 1,907 yards on 299 carries in two seasons.

Now, he’s at his fourth stop in six years, undoubtedly his biggest and brightest playing in the SEC. And he’ll be doing it as RB1 — at least to open the year.

“I’m excited, man,” Jefferson said. “Ooh, when we scrimmaged, I was excited just looking around. Nobody was there, but I’m still just looking around and getting a feel for it. It’s going to be unreal for me, my first time running out on that field, get the fans going.”

His father will be in attendance for the season-opener vs. Miami (OH), with his mother coming for the Youngstown State game on Sept. 17.

“I got my people coming from New York, they’re both from The Bronx,” Jefferson said.

What will his parents get to witness watching their son suit up for the Wildcats during his final year of eligibility? The same thing he’s shown at his other stops: a physical brand of football, a role he’s welcomed with open arms.

“Just my physical features, I guess you can go with the bowling ball thing,” Jefferson said. “It’s something I’m going to show, just being able to run through tackles, make people miss, just being a physical running back. That’s what the team needs, and that’s the role I’m going to fill. I’ll get the job done on that.”

It’s a whatever-it-takes mentality he takes pride in, something that led him to this point in Lexington. Take a hit? Sure. Rack up reps? Absolutely. Throw a block in pass protection? No big deal.

“I’m not afraid of contact, not afraid to stick my nose in there. I’ll take one for the team,” Jefferson said. “Sometimes that’s got to happen. … The guys we have on defense, if we can do it against them, we can do it against anyone.”

That also means he’s willing to spread the wealth, letting his teammates in the backfield get theirs, too. With so many strong options capable of producing in different ways, Jefferson is excited to see the entire running back room get involved.

“I think a good thing about the coaches and the team is that the coaches respect all of our different running styles,” he said. “When you look at it, we’ve got a lot of talented players that do different stuff. What the coaches expect each of us to do, we’re all capable of doing that. The things I can do, I hope I’ve shown that in the scrimmages and stuff like that.”

He’ll get his chance to prove what he’s capable of in a live setting in 10 short days.