Justin Jefferson’s voice cracked as he reflected on the moment he learned he was granted an extra year of eligibility. For a player who’s already accomplished so much—rewriting record books, dazzling fans with his route running, and becoming a household name in the NFL—the idea of going back to where it all began stirred emotions he didn’t expect.
“I cried, man,” Jefferson admitted during a recent interview. “Not just for what it means for me, but for what it reminds me of—where I came from, who believed in me, and everything I’ve overcome to be here today.”
The news, which surprised fans and even some close to Jefferson, came after an NCAA administrative clarification regarding eligibility rules during his collegiate window. While many assumed Jefferson’s college career was fully wrapped up with his 2019 campaign at LSU—where he caught 111 passes for 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns—paperwork discrepancies and COVID-era rule nuances revealed a path that technically left the door open.
For Jefferson, it wasn’t about needing more validation. The 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year has already proven he’s one of the most electrifying wide receivers in the league. But this opportunity was something different. It wasn’t about building a résumé—it was about reconnecting with the roots of who he is and where he came from.
“I’m not doing this for stats, awards, or draft stock,” Jefferson said. “I’m doing this because football has always been personal to me. LSU gave me my first shot when a lot of other schools overlooked me. I was a skinny kid from Destrehan that people didn’t think could hang in the SEC. LSU said, ‘We believe in you.’ That meant everything.”
Jefferson’s rise to stardom has always been defined by grit. A two-star recruit coming out of high school, he didn’t receive the red-carpet treatment afforded to blue-chip prospects. He had to earn every rep, every target, and every inch of respect. Even when he finally cracked the rotation at LSU, few saw the superstar he would soon become. But under head coach Ed Orgeron and alongside quarterback Joe Burrow, Jefferson flourished.
His 2019 season is now the stuff of legend. That LSU team—considered one of the greatest in college football history—ran the table en route to a national championship. Jefferson was a key cog in that machine, torching defenses week after week. His performance in the College Football Playoff semifinal against Oklahoma, where he racked up four touchdowns in the first half alone, remains one of the most dominant displays in postseason history.
But the thing Jefferson remembers most from that run isn’t the touchdowns. It’s the brotherhood.
“Those were my guys,” Jefferson said with a smile. “Joe [Burrow], Ja’Marr [Chase], Clyde [Edwards-Helaire], Terrace [Marshall]… we weren’t just teammates, we were family. We’d stay late after practice, eat together, joke around, grind in silence when nobody was watching. That season was magic because we all believed in each other.”
That sense of family is part of why this return—if he chooses to act on it—feels so meaningful. Jefferson is still weighing the decision. The Vikings have been supportive, recognizing that this is an emotional moment for him. Though a return to LSU might seem far-fetched from a business perspective, emotionally, it hits home.
“I’m still figuring it all out,” Jefferson said. “I’ve got a team around me that I trust, and we’re thinking through everything—what it means short-term, long-term, and for my health. But my heart… my heart is definitely back in Baton Rouge right now.”
His comments sent shockwaves through both the college and professional football worlds. LSU fans erupted with excitement, many posting clips from Jefferson’s historic 2019 season on social media with hashtags like #OneMoreTime and #RunItBack. Teammates past and present chimed in with their support, urging him to consider the move—not just for nostalgia, but for the next generation.
“It would be unbelievable,” former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow commented in an interview. “He’s one of the best I’ve ever played with. If he goes back, he’s not just giving fans a thrill—he’s showing young players what it means to love this game.”
That’s the legacy Jefferson is most interested in now—not just being remembered as one of the best, but as one of the most passionate. The idea of stepping back into Tiger Stadium, hearing the roar of Death Valley, and leading a new crop of LSU players—many of whom grew up watching him—means more than another Pro Bowl selection.
“I want these kids to know that it’s okay to be emotional about the game,” Jefferson said. “Football saved my life in a lot of ways. It gave me purpose, structure, and an outlet. If I can be that example for someone else, if I can walk back through those doors and let them see that even NFL stars remember where they came from, then that’s powerful.”
He also acknowledges the critics—those who question whether the move makes sense or wonder if it risks his NFL career.
“I hear it all,” he said. “I know what people are saying. ‘Why would you go back?’ ‘What if you get hurt?’ But to me, life isn’t just about playing it safe. It’s about doing what matters. And LSU matters to me.”
Jefferson isn’t the first player to flirt with the idea of returning to college after reaching the pinnacle of professional success, but he would certainly be the most high-profile example. His jersey is already iconic in Baton Rouge. His catch celebrations have become staples of pop culture. And his commitment to LSU, even after ascending to NFL stardom, has never wavered.
“I never took LSU out of my bio,” he said. “I never stopped rocking the purple and gold. That school changed my life.”
The process now involves conversations with compliance officials, university leadership, and the NFL Players Association. Should he formally decide to explore eligibility, there would be a number of logistical steps, including managing any contractual obligations with the Minnesota Vikings. But Jefferson remains focused on the heart of the matter.
“This isn’t about contracts,” he said. “This is about soul.”
Jefferson’s decision also comes at a time when the broader conversation around college football, amateurism, and the evolving landscape of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) rights has opened new doors. The idea that a player of his stature could return to school—now compensated in ways that weren’t possible during his initial run—adds complexity, but also opportunity.
“It’s a different world now,” Jefferson said. “Back then, we weren’t making a dime. Now, kids can take care of their families. If I step back into that world, I want to use my platform to educate, support, and uplift.”
He’s already begun mentoring several LSU wide receivers, offering them tips through social media, phone calls, and even film breakdowns during offseason workouts. For Jefferson, leadership isn’t theoretical—it’s hands-on.
“If I do go back, I want to be a big brother, not just a baller,” he said. “I want to help those guys be better men, not just better athletes.”
That authenticity is what continues to endear him to fans, teammates, and coaches alike. Jefferson has never chased the spotlight—it’s simply followed him because of his play, his passion, and his poise.
Even if he ultimately decides not to pursue the extra year, the fact that he considered it—publicly, vulnerably, and with sincerity—says everything about the type of person he is.
“I’ve always said I play with my heart on my sleeve,” Jefferson said. “That’s never going to change. Whether it’s the NFL, LSU, or somewhere in between, I’m going to give it everything I have. That’s what I owe the game.”
As he stood to leave the interview, Jefferson looked down for a moment, collecting his thoughts. Then he smiled.
“I don’t know where this road ends,” he said, “but I know where it started. And I’ll never forget that.”
Whatever decision he makes, one thing is certain: Justin Jefferson has already left an indelible mark on football. And whether it’s in the NFL or one last run in Baton Rouge, he’ll continue to play—not for fame, not for fortune, but for love.