Former LSU teammates Vikings WR Justin Jefferson and Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr. have different approaches to first matchup in NFL
The 2019 LSU Tigers are one of the more storied college football teams in NCAA history. The offense itself had four first-round picks in Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson. It's incredible that the offense had three potential Hall of Fame players on it. The defense was no […]
The 2019 LSU Tigers are one of the more storied college football teams in NCAA history. The offense itself had four first-round picks in Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
It's incredible that the offense had three potential Hall of Fame players on it. The defense was no slouch either, as the Houston Texans picked cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. third overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Justin Jefferson and Derek Stingley Jr. comment on first NFL matchup
Sunday's game will be the first time that Stingley and Jefferson will be facing off against each other. Jefferson had this to say about his former Tigers teammate.
Yeah, I didn't go up against him too many times. You know, I pretty much watched him and Ja'Marr (Chase) go at it for majority of the time. But he's a great corner, a great ball hawk. He knows how to track the ball in the air, and his ability to catch the ball and to make plays downfield is something that he's really good at. But I feel like with my skill set and our ability to create separation and create the schemes, we feel confident in the matchup on whoever's out there guarding me. But you know, I'm excited to go up against him, and this is my first time, so I'm excited to see what he got."
It's not a surprise that Jefferson didn't see much of Stingley during practice. Jefferson was used primarily in the slot since he was the best route runner. In the college game, it's different than in the National Football League, where oftentimes your best receiver doesn't play on the outside.
Stingley was a lot quieter about the matchup on Thursday afternoon.
"I'm just going out there playing defense. I'm not really thinking about college or something like that, just trying to win.
"He's one of the best in the league at getting open, so (we're) trying to minimize it."
Stingley is focused on the game and isn't concerning himself with who is in front of him. Now, maybe he should do that since Jefferson is the best wide receiver in the National Football League, but it could just be him being coy with the media.
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