Louisiana’s Michael Jefferson grew up a Saints fan, says it would mean a lot to play in New Orleans

Louisiana’s Michael Jefferson grew up a Saints fan, says it would mean a lot to play in New Orleans after meeting with the team, via @RossJacksonNOLA and @john_siglerr:

Every team will have met with virtually every prospect by the time the 2023 NFL draft rolls around, so you don’t want to make too much of prospect meetings at the NFL Scouting Combine. But it’s still a cool story when the New Orleans Saints talk shop with someone who grew up a fan of the team.

Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns wide receiver Michael Jefferson hails from nearby Mobile, Ala., and he recently met with the Saints — a bit of a surreal experience after a young life spent cheering for them. He told our Ross Jackson that it would mean a lot to play in New Orleans in front of friends and family.

Jefferson added that the team likes his speed at his size (he’s listed at 6-foot-4 and 202 pounds) but they want to see more consistency on contested-catch opportunities. Pro Football Focus charting found Jefferson caught 20 his 44 career targets in those situations.

He’s seen as a prospect likely to go on the third day of this year’s draft after securing 51 receptions for 810 yards and 7 touchdown catches last season, ranking among Sun Belt leaders in each category. If Jefferson can validate his athletic upside in drills at the combine this week, it’ll do a lot to boost his draft stock as we approach the event in late April.

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ULL defensive back Mekhi Garner picks up offer from LSU

In-state cornerback picks up offer from LSU.

With the mass exodus among the secondary, the LSU Tigers are looking to the transfer portal to enhance their roster in 2022. On Sunday, Mekhi Garner of ULL announced on Twitter that he was offered by Kerry Cooks.

Garner spent the last three seasons in Lafayette. After appearing in just two games as a freshman for the Ragin Cajuns, Garner played 23 games at cornerback over the last two seasons. During his three-year run, he has accumulated three interceptions and 15 passes defended. Garner has also compiled 63 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles.

Garner would likely come in as a boundary corner right off the bat. Especially with the losses of Eli Ricks, Derek Stingley Jr, and Cordale Flott.

The team should have Dwight McGlothern as the other boundary cornerback if Garner were to commit to the Tigers. Freshman Sage Ryan would likely be in line to play the nickel once again unless the staff wants to give him another look at safety with the lack of playmakers at the position.

The team has roughly 17 spots to fill over the next several weeks as they look to close the book on the 2022 recruiting class. They have a total of seven spots available due to losses in the transfer portal. The NCAA’s new rule allows a max of seven open scholarships due to players transferring out of the program. Before the rule, teams weren’t able to replace scholarship players who opted to transfer out.

Special Teams coordinator Bill Polian also recently extended an offer to a 2022 wide receiver out of the Dallas Area. John Rutledge is a two-sport athlete for Highland Park. Rutledge is a burner that could help blow the top off of defenses using his speed.

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