Saturday proved to be a long wait for running back Jermar Jefferson who thought he might be drafted in the third or fourth round.
Instead the Detroit Lions selected the Oregon State product late, late in the seventh round with the 257th overall pick that they had received in a trade earlier in the day.
Jefferson said he’s happy the Lions made the call.
“It’s been a little stressful being patient and waiting for a phone call. It’s also a great opportunity and a very open opportunity. It’s also a blessing. I’m just glad I got picked,’’ Jefferson said in a media call
He feels he’s been under-rated his whole career — high school, college and now the NFL.
He plans to be really angry when he steps on the field.
“I felt like I was the best running back in the Pac 12,’’ said Jefferson who is 5-10 and 206 pounds.
While going into the draft he thought he’d go earlier as the day wore on he thought he was going to go undrafted.
“I cherish this moment. … I was down through the whole process but I’m grateful I was picked by the Lions,’ Jefferson said.
Even though he didn’t play on special teams in his three years at Oregon State, he is prepared to do that in the NFL
“I was in every special teams meeting because I knew I was going to do that at the next level,’’ Jefferson said.
It was at the suggestion of one of his coaches.
Jefferson was the Lions’ final pick in the three-day draft.
1. Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
2. Levi Onwuzurike, DT, Washington
3. Alim McNeill, DT, NC State
3. Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse
4. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC
4. Derrick Barnes, LB, Purdue
7. Jermar Jefferson, RB, Oregon State
Lions Lowdown 