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UCLA Bruins In The NFL Combine: Anthony Jefferson

By Mike Regalado

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Anthony Jefferson – #23 UCLA

UCLA Bruins
UCLA Bruins /

UCLA Bruins

Position: Defensive Back

Vital Stats: 6’1″, 192 lbs.

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Stats: 72 tackles (50 solo, 22 asst), 3 TFL, 1 INT, 8 pass break-ups

Awards: 2014 Second Team All-Pac-12, 2013 All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention, Kenneth S. Washington Award for Bruin Senior of the Year

Draft Stock

Anthony Jefferson was one of the unsung heroes of the UCLA defense this past season. It is hard to get recognition as a defensive back, especially when the Bruins had Iron Man Myles Jack and Butkus Award winner Eric Kendricks on their team, yet Jefferson made an impact for UCLA.

The senior safety was third on the team in total tackles (for the second year in a row) with 72. He also started in every game he played in these last two seasons (15 total). That is a difference from his first two seasons as he saw very little playing time due to a couple of injuries that included a broken foot. His emergence after that made him a key figure in head coach Jim Mora’s 3-4 defense that often used a nickel back formation as he was hands down the best player in the secondary for the Bruins in 2014.

Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Anthony Jefferson (23) intercepts a pass intended for Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jaelen Strong (21) during the first half at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

As for his skills, Jefferson is a smart, tough football player that has the physical ability to get after the ball in the open field. He was not the fastest player in the Bruin secondary and is a bit under sized at his position by NFL standards, yet he will be recognized for his strength and leadership abilities. Jefferson has also played corner back and special teams.

Look for Anthony Jefferson to be a late round pick.