Arkansas added another late 2014 signee to the program when offensive lineman Cameron Jefferson signed a national letter of intent with Arkansas on Friday and faxed it in on Saturday.
Jefferson, 6-6, 305, 5.0, was a three-year starter at Nevada-Las Vegas, playing both tackle spots and at guard. He has one year of eligibility and is able to play in the fall.
The Rebels were recently hit with APR ( sanctions that will keep the Rebels from being eligible to participate in postseason play. Because he’ll graduate with a psychology degree in June, he’s able to transfer to another school for his senior year.
He officially visited the Razorbacks Tuesday through Thursday.
“The first night, I was with the right tackle Brey Cook and I had a good time down there,” Jefferson said. “I was born in Cleveland I have family in Terre Haute, Ind., and I lived in Cincinnati and it really reminds me of back home in my earlier years. I really loved it in in Fayetteville.”
Jefferson, who made 33 consecutive starts to end his career at Nevada-Las Vegas, said Cook spoke highly of the fan base.
“He said there’s nothing like it,” said Jefferson, who plans to pursue a master’s degree in Sports Management at Arkansas.“ He said there’s no pro team there, and they really like the Razorbacks.”
Jefferson was a team captain and All-Mountain West honorable mention selection last year.
He said he plans to report to Fayetteville in late June or early July to begin offseason workouts with eye on winning the starting job at left guard.
“I know it’s not going to be easy coming from where I come from to the SEC with a pro-style offense,” Jefferson said. “I definitely have to learn quick and fast and I will.”
Jefferson said Coach Bret Bielema, offensive line coach Sam Pittman and offensive coordinator Jim Chaney, who coached the offensive line while an assistant with St. Louis Rams, can help him get to the NFL.
“Just seeing their resumes prove themselves,” Jefferson said.
Jefferson’s father, William, played college football at Maryland and played on the offensive lineman with the Cleveland Browns in 1989 and 1990.
The Hogs signed linebacker Josh Williams from Dodge City Community College in Kansas on May 24. He’s also expected to contend for playing time in the fall.
“We're thrilled to add Cameron Jefferson to the Razorback football program,” Arkansas coach Bret Bielema said in a statement. “As we continue to build our recruiting classes over the next few years, we will add players who fit academically, athletically and socially. He comes from a football family with his father playing in the NFL and he worked his way into becoming an anchor for the line at UNLV. We look forward to seeing the impact he will have at Arkansas.”