Van Jefferson wore No. 2 in high school because of Robert Woods

Van Jefferson has “been looking up to Robert Woods for a while.”

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Less than five years separate Rams rookie Van Jefferson and veteran wideout Robert Woods, but it’s big enough of a gap for Woods to be one of Jefferson’s role models.

Jefferson, who the Rams drafted in the second round on Friday, says he looked up to Woods when he was younger and even wore Woods’ college jersey number while he was in high school.

He can’t wait to get in the building, whenever that is, and learn from his newest teammates, namely Woods and Cooper Kupp.

“I’m so ready to learn from those guys and like I said, I’ve been looking up to Robert Woods for a while,” he said in a recent interview. “In high school, I wore No. 2 because of him – he had it at USC. He’s the reason I wore No. 2. I just remember him at USC and his days at USC so I’m ready to get up there with those guys.”

Like Jefferson, Woods was also a second-round pick. He went No. 41 overall to the Bills in 2013 after a terrific college career with 252 career catches and 2,930 yards with a whopping 32 touchdowns in three seasons.

Woods has continued his success in the NFL and is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with the Rams, emerging as one of their most consistent and reliable playmakers.

Jefferson will have to carve out a role for himself first before he becomes a starter, but he’s going into the NFL ready to learn and compete on the field.

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