South Carolina safety wants to learn more about Auburn

Jeffery, 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds from Columbia, S.C., is being recruited by Auburn as a safety. He says he is interested, but even he isn’t sure how interested.

“The two schools that are recruiting me the hardest are Alabama and South Carolina,” Jeffery told AuburnUndercover.com. “Those two schools are standing out a little bit from the rest at this point.”

But Jeffery said the race is far from over.

“Auburn is still in it,” he said. “The reason they dropped a little bit from before is just because I don’t really know too much about them yet. I want to get to know more about them.

“When I went to camp there, I liked the coaches and how they were coaching me up. They have a winning tradition and they send a lot of players to the league.”

Jeffery said he would like to make a visit to Auburn and see more. He said he is seriously considering making Auburn one of his five official visits.

“There are five or six schools I am thinking about traveling to,” said Jeffery, on the ESPN 150 Watch List. “One of them is Auburn. The others would be Alabama, South Carolina, Oklahoma, USC and Virginia Tech.”

Jeffery, who said safety is his best position, was in on 109 tackles, had five interceptions and four sacks as a junior.

“The best part of my game is my ability to adapt to whoever we are playing and whatever style of football they are playing,” Jeffery said. “I can come up to stop the run or I can sit back and disrupt passes in the secondary. Also, being as big as I am, I have good hips and can turn and run with anybody. I’d like to get a little stronger at the point of attack, though.”

Jeffery, who has more than 20 offers, said he has no timetable for a commitment.

“I don’t really know when I’ll commit,” Jeffery said. “It could be after one visit or after all five visits. I just have to see how everything turns out.”

ESPN, Scouts Inc. evaluation: Jeffery is an extremely versatile athlete that really stands out on the defensive side of the football. Even though he is a talented wide receiver, he excels as a safety but could grow into an outside linebacker. Physical football player who loves the contact. Takes proper support angles versus the run. Equally impressive keeping leverage on the ball whether at free or strong safety. Tackles a little high at times but does a great job of driving his legs on contact and explodes through the running back or receiver. Great body control and can turn the hips and change direction without losing speed. Uses hands well keeping blockers off his legs. Comes hard on the blitz and will not be denied. Takes proper pursuit angle when football breaks contain. Not a real speedster but plenty fast enough when running down the ball carrier; uses the sideline to his advantage. Gives great effort at all times. Breaks on the pass with good instincts and timing. Goes up for the football with confidence and can be productive running with the football after the interception. If interception is not possible, he loves to separate the receiver from the football. Jeffery is a fine special teams player to go along with his defensive skills. High motor athlete that rarely comes off the field. He will be a major contributor at the next level. He could very well end up as an outside linebacker due to his aggressive nature and athletic talent.