Jermar Jefferson Bio
Jermar Jefferson (born April 15, 2000) is an American professional football running back for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. Jefferson rose to national attention as a productive early-career starter for the Oregon State Beavers and entered the NFL after being selected in the seventh round of the 2021 draft by the Detroit Lions.
Early Life and Background
Jermar Jefferson was born in Los Angeles, California, and attended high school in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County. He initially attended Redondo Union High School before transferring to Narbonne High School in Harbor City for his senior year.
As a senior, Jefferson received a scholarship offer from Oregon State University and also held an offer from the University of Southern California. He enrolled at Oregon State in 2018 and moved directly into the program as a true freshman starter.
Path to American Football
Jefferson arrived at Oregon State as a recruit whose skill set translated quickly to the collegiate level. He earned the starting running back role as a true freshman in 2018 and produced immediate, high-volume rushing performances that established him among the Pac-12’s leading freshmen.
His early production and conference recognition helped position him for an eventual early entry into the NFL Draft after his junior season in 2020. College accolades and a string of high-yardage games created the primary pathway from high school prospect to professional opportunity.
Jermar Jefferson Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Jefferson’s collegiate career at Oregon State began in 2018 when he became the Beavers’ starting running back as a true freshman. He rushed for 1,380 yards and twelve rushing touchdowns that season and was named the Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year.
Jefferson returned for his sophomore season in 2019 and rushed for 685 yards and eight touchdowns. In the shortened 2020 season he produced 858 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns in six games before declaring for the 2021 NFL Draft.
Oregon State Breakthrough (2018–2020)
Jefferson’s freshman year included several breakout performances. He rushed for 238 yards in his second collegiate game against Southern Utah and followed with a career-high 254 rushing yards in a game against Arizona State. Through the first six games of his freshman season he ranked third among all Division I FBS players with 865 rushing yards.
Those sustained high-yardage efforts and his season totals underpinned conference honors, including Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2018 and First-team All-Pac-12 recognition in 2020. His college production established him as a workhorse back in Oregon State’s offense and as an NFL draft prospect.
Detroit Lions Breakthrough (2021–2024)
Jefferson was selected by the Detroit Lions with the 257th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft and signed his four-year rookie contract on May 14, 2021. He saw limited action as a rookie but recorded his first career NFL touchdown on October 31, 2021, an eight-yard rush against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Across his initial NFL appearances Jefferson compiled modest statistics as a depth option and practice-squad player. The Lions moved Jefferson on and off the active roster and practice squad across 2022–2024, including waiver and injured-reserve transactions, a reserve/future contract, and multiple practice squad signings and releases as the team managed roster depth.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2025–Present)
Following a brief stint with the Tennessee Titans in the 2025 preseason and practice squad cycle, Jefferson signed with the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad on October 1, 2025, and was later signed to the Cardinals’ active roster on November 21, 2025. He experienced additional roster movement in December 2025 when he was released and re-signed to the practice squad.
Those 2025 transactions reflect Jefferson’s role as a depth running back and a player teams have added for situational depth and developmental potential. The Arizona Cardinals listed him on their roster structure during the 2025 season window after his time with Tennessee earlier that year.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jefferson’s college production demonstrates an ability to produce long runs and shoulder a significant rushing workload, with multiple games of very high yardage at Oregon State including games of 238 and 254 rushing yards. At the NFL level through 2025 he has been used sparingly in the passing game, with five receptions for 33 receiving yards recorded in professional play as of 2025.
Notable Events and Milestones
Major milestones in Jefferson’s career include earning Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year honors in 2018, First-team All-Pac-12 recognition in 2020, being selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, and scoring his first NFL touchdown on October 31, 2021. His multi-hundred-yard collegiate games remain signature performances defining his production at Oregon State.
Jermar Jefferson Career Wins
While football does not report wins in the same manner as individual sports, Jefferson’s verified scoring and production milestones are recorded through collegiate and professional statistics. His collegiate seasons produced high rushing totals and double-digit touchdown counts as a freshman; his professional record includes scoring at the NFL level.
NFL Highlights
Jefferson’s first NFL touchdown came in the 2021 season on an eight-yard rush against the Philadelphia Eagles. As of 2025, his official NFL statistics list 21 rushing attempts for 96 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, five receptions and 33 receiving yards. Those totals reflect limited NFL playing time across regular-season appearances and practice-squad elevations.
College Highlights
At Oregon State Jefferson totaled 1,380 rushing yards and twelve rushing touchdowns in his freshman season, followed by 685 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in 2019, and 858 rushing yards with six rushing touchdowns in the six-game 2020 season before declaring for the NFL Draft. Key single-game performances include a 254-yard game versus Arizona State and a 238-yard game versus Southern Utah.
Other Wins & Perfromances
Jefferson’s placement among FBS rushing leaders early in his freshman season and his All-Pac-12 recognition in 2020 are additional performance markers that contributed to his draft selection. Those sustained collegiate performances defined his early playing resume.
Jermar Jefferson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jermar Jefferson was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Public records and available profiles list his birthplace and educational background, while specific family or parental details are not part of the verified public record provided here.
Personal Life
Jefferson attended Narbonne High School in Harbor City, California, and played his college football at Oregon State. He maintains a public social presence including an Instagram account and a Twitter account listed on public profiles. Other personal details such as residence or marital status are not verified in the supplied records.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season included multiple roster transactions for Jefferson. He signed with the Tennessee Titans on July 23, 2025, and went through final roster cuts before brief practice squad activity in late August 2025. On October 1, 2025, he signed with the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad, was promoted to the active roster on November 21, 2025, released on December 1, and re-signed to the practice squad on December 3, 2025.
Across the 2025 calendar year Jefferson’s professional role was defined by short-term elevations and practice-squad assignments while he pursued opportunities for regular playing time. His cumulative NFL statistics as recorded through 2025 list 21 rushing attempts for 96 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, five receptions and 33 receiving yards, reflecting limited but recorded game action at the professional level.