Jefferson gains experience from last year's struggles
By TIM CASEY
Assistant Sports Editor
Every week he was out there for millions to see, covering the nation's finest receivers.
Michigan's David Terrell, Stanford's Troy Walters, Michigan State's Plaxico Burress and USC's R. Jay Soward all took their turns with Clifford Jefferson a year ago.
He was a first-year starter at cornerback, thrust into the role after Brock Williams was suspended for the year. The opposing coaches decided to pick on the rookie, throwing his way, trying to see if the sophomore could handle their star receivers.
By all accounts, Jefferson struggled.
And with those struggles, especially here at Notre Dame, comes scrutiny. Just ask Ron Powlus, Jim Sanson, Bob Davie and all the other highly visible Irish players and coaches who have felt the wrath that accompanies failure on the nation's grandest of all college football stages.
But instead of letting the heckling get to him, Jefferson chose to ignore it.
"You're really not supposed to pay attention to that," Jefferson said. "I tried to shy away from it. My self-ego is pretty high. I brushed it off and came back for the next season trying to play better."
He started all 12 games last year, recording 77 tackles and breaking up eight passes. But the most memorable scenes were those of receivers scoring touchdowns and catching long passes with Jefferson covering. With the passing weeks, many began to wonder why Jefferson was still playing.
"A lot of guys would have tucked their tail," Davie said of Jefferson. "He got beat and everybody saw he got beat. But he kept competing."
As he enters his junior season, Jefferson's competitive spirit is needed more than ever. With the return of Williams as well as sophomores Jason Beckstrom and Albert Poree, the cornerback position is again open.
"Clifford's got some pressure on him," Davie said. "It's close. But Clifford's working and he's trying to improve. He's working at the things he struggled with last year. But there's a lot of competition there [at cornerback]."
Coming to Notre Dame out of Carter High School in Dallas, Texas, Jefferson was seen as a future star. As a senior, he was named a USA Today first-team All-American and was ranked among the Top 25 players nationally by the Chicago Sun-Times. Those accolades, combined with being the second cousin of former Irish cornerback and current Philadelphia Eagles player Allen Rossum, gave Irish fans hope.
But like most high school stars, Jefferson was a little naive about the college game.
"I thought I was going to play as a freshman," Jefferson said. "But it was a whole different level. The speed is faster; the people are stronger. In high school most of the people are below you athletically."
Jefferson played in two games his first year, logging less than four minutes of playing time and recording no tackles.
He came back the next year with more realistic aspirations, hoping to gain some more playing time.
But with the departure of Williams, that plan was altered.
"I thought I was going to be playing, probably end up in the dime or nickel package," Jefferson said. "But I really wasn't expecting to come in and start. It surprised me."
With the emphasis this spring set on improving a defense that yielded 27.6 points and 383.7 points per game last season, Jefferson can already see some changes in the secondary.
"Our scheme and plan is to get a lot more aggressive," Jefferson said. "Next year we're going to play more man, be more aggressive and get in the face of receivers. It's making everyone better coverage-wise."
Come next year, Jefferson will have a season under his belt at arguably the toughest position in football, playing in front of the largest fan base in college football. The competition for playing time is stiff, the schedule is tough and there are no guarantees.
But as always, Jefferson remains optimistic.
"After this past year, I've gained a lot of experience," Jefferson said. "My biggest motivation (this year) is to get better, get faster and get more aware. I'm looking forward to helping the team try to get a national championship."
NOTES:
u The Irish worked out in shorts this weekend. They will wear pads for the first time when they return to practice on Tuesday.
u On the injury front, kicker Nick Setta (sprained right ankle) and tight ends Dan O'Leary (back pain) and Gerald Morgan (hamstring) all missed practices this weekend.
u With O'Leary and Morgan suffering injuries, Jabari Holloway is the only healthy scholarship tight end. Davie plans on having John Owens, who played tight end a year ago and switched to defensive end this spring, play both ways until O'Leary and Morgan return.
u Matt McNew, a varsity soccer player from Arlington, Texas is competing for the starting placekicking job with Setta and David Miller. Davie said the starting position is wide open.
All Sports Stories for Monday, April 3, 2000
