Hog future Cameron Jefferson

Lineman answers Hogs’ call

Cameron Jefferson was a three-year starter at UNLV before transferring to Arkansas.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Cameron Jefferson played his first college football game against Bret Bielema's Wisconsin team.

Three years later, Jefferson is ready to play at Arkansas for Bielema, who is going into his second season as the Razorbacks' coach.

Cameron Jefferson glance

CLASS Fifth-year senior

HEIGHT/WEIGHT 6-6, 305 pounds

POSITION Offensive guard

COLLEGE UNLV

HIGH SCHOOLLas Vegas Desert Oasis

NOTEWORTHY Transferred from UNLV to Arkansas over the summer. … Has immediate eligibility at Arkansas because of an NCAA-imposed bowl ban for UNLV in 2014 resulting from a low Academic Progress Rate score. … Started final 33 games at UNLV at guard or tackle. Started all 13 games last season at left guard. … Honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference last season. … A team co-captain at UNLV. … Didn’t start playing football until his junior year in high school. … Father, William Jefferson, was an offensive lineman at Maryland and played two seasons in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns. … Graduated from UNLV with a psychology degree.

"It's pretty crazy to think about that, how things have worked out," said Jefferson, who transferred to Arkansas this summer. "I've come full circle with Coach Bielema, and I'm glad now we're on the same team."

Jefferson was a redshirt freshman offensive lineman for UNLV when he played right tackle off the bench in Wisconsin's 51-17 victory over the Rebels on Sept. 1, 2011. It was quarterback Russell Wilson's debut with the Badgers.

"I just remember being very, very nervous playing at Camp Randal Stadium in front of a big crowd on national television against a Wisconsin team that was coming off a trip to the Rose Bowl," Jefferson said. "I played the whole second half because the coaches wanted me to get some experience.

"The speed of the game was so different, especially being out there on such a big stage for my first game. Even though I played a horrible game, it was fun to get a chance to play."

Jefferson, 6-6 and 305 pounds, made steady improvement from his debut and started his final 33 games at UNLV at guard or tackle. His 13 starts last season were at left guard.

"It's a night-and-day difference, the player I am now compared to the one I was my first game," Jefferson said. "Back then, I was just trying to make sure my feet were in the right place. I didn't even now where I was supposed to go on certain plays.

"I had no technique. I was just using my athleticism."

Jefferson was elected a team co-captain by the Rebels last season, when he was an honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference pick. He helped UNLV to a 7-6 record and a berth in the Heart of Dallas Bowl against North Texas, which beat the Rebels 36-14.

"I'm an athletic lineman that can run, that can move," Jefferson said. "I can run block, pass block. I'm a leader and someone that takes care of business on and off the field. I'm just a real good team player."

As a senior for the 2014 season, Jefferson was able to transfer with immediate eligibility because UNLV was penalized by the NCAA for having a low Academic Progress Rate and hit with a bowl ban.

Jefferson, who has lived in Las Vegas since he was in middle school, said he wasn't planning to transfer until he received a call from Arkansas offensive lineman coach Sam Pittman, offering him a scholarship to play for the Razorbacks.

Under NCAA rules, Arkansas didn't have to gain permission from UNLV to recruit Jefferson. Arkansas only had to make UNLV aware it was contacting Jefferson, which the UA did.

"Coach Pittman called me and said, 'We need a left guard and I know you're a good one. Just think about it, and if you want to come here we can set up a visit,' " Jefferson said. "I had a good conversation with my parents about how this was a big opportunity for me to play in the SEC."

Jefferson visited Arkansas in late May, met several players and liked what he saw and heard about the program and Fayetteville. After talking it over with his parents again, he decided to make the move to Arkansas.

"Las Vegas is a comfort zone for me, so leaving was difficult," Jefferson said. "But at the end of the day, I had to make the best decision for my future and my family's future."

Bielema said Arkansas wanted to see if Jefferson was interested in transferring after offensive coordinator Jim Chaney studied tape of UNLV games to scout seniors who might be able to play for the Razorbacks.

"Jim is great with personnel," Bielema said. "He went through and said, 'Bret, the one guy I keep coming back to is Cameron Jefferson.' "

The more Bielema learned about Jefferson's background, the more he liked him.

"I love his film," Bielema said. "He seems to play with an attitude. He plays borderline nasty, the way I think we've got to play."

Jefferson, who graduated from UNLV with a psychology degree, plans to work toward a master's degree in sports management at Arkansas. His ultimate goal is to become a college athletic director, but Jefferson said he first hopes to play in the NFL, as his father did.

William Jefferson, a supervisor for a facility in Las Vegas that helps at-risk teens, was an offensive lineman for the Cleveland Browns in 1989 and 1990 after playing at Maryland.

"Coach Pittman is a great offensive line coach and has put a bunch of guys in the NFL the past few years," Cameron Jefferson said. "He's an offensive line guru. That's known not just in the SEC but throughout the whole nation."

Jefferson figures to get every opportunity to start at left guard, where the Razorbacks rotated four players on the first-team line in spring practice.

"My favorite position is guard, because I love pulling," Jefferson said. "I love being able to run out and get blocks for the running back and receivers, get in on the action."

Senior offensive tackle Brey Cook hosted Jefferson when he visited Arkansas.

"He's going to add a whole lot -- experience, leadership," Cook said. "He's definitely ready to come in and make a difference."

Jefferson understands what the Razorbacks are dealing with trying to reach a bowl game this season after going 4-8 and 3-9 the past two seasons. Including Jefferson's redshirt season, he was part of UNLV teams that were 2-11, 2-10 and 2-10 before going to bowl last year.

"I know that feeling of, 'Man, we lost again. How are we going to start winning?' " Jefferson said. "I know the work ethic and persistence you've got to have to turn things around."

Jefferson said he has no doubt playing in a bowl game is a realistic goal for the Arkansas this season.

"You're not a true competitor if you don't feel like you can help a team win," Jefferson said. "There's talent at Arkansas and great coaches. We just have to put it all together."

Sports on 07/25/2014