Greg Jefferson - Football (1991-94) - Class of 2011
One of the fiercest defensive ends in UCF history, Greg Jefferson played four years for the Knights under former head coach Gene McDowell. Statistically, he would end his career among UCF's all-time greats.
His gridiron feat led to his selection by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 1995 NFL Draft.
In Philadelphia, Jefferson would play five seasons through 2001. He would return to Central Florida and later pick up with the Orlando Predators, playing in 2006-07.
A feared sack master and honorable mention All-American in 1994, Jefferson finished his UCF career narrowly in second place with 31 sacks, one-half sack behind fellow hall of famer Darrell Rudd (31.5). Today, Jefferson's mark still stands third all-time. His 15 single-season sacks as a junior in 1993 still stand as the second-highest in one campaign, behind Rudd's 19.5 in 1984. Jefferson also led the team in sacks as a senior with eight in 1994. He also holds the school record for tackles for loss in a game with seven, set twice during the 1993 season, and is currently in seventh place all-time with 41 career tackles for loss. During his four-year span, Jefferson would total 182 tackles.
Not only was Jefferson skilled at getting to the quarterback, he was also proficient in getting to the kicker. Jefferson is presently the school-record holder for six career blocks, along with three blocks during the 1993 season. His six career blocks breaks down equally into three blocks on field goals and three on point after attempts, each are the most by a Knight during their career.
There are several other defensive records held by Jefferson at UCF, including the top mark in single-season forced fumbles with five in 1993 and seven for his career.
Jefferson was a starter and played in the NFL for five seasons, all with the Eagles. In 2006, he made a professional comeback by signing with the Arena Football League Orlando Predators.
Jefferson came to the attention of Predators coaches at the team's Free Agent Open Tryout Camp. "Our line coach Willie Fears just raved about how well Greg did in the tryout camp," Head Coach Jay Gruden said. "Obviously he was a tremendous talent at both the college and NFL levels. Although he has been out of football for a while, he's still only 35-years-old and we believe he has some good football left in him."
He appeared in 57 games for Eagles, where he was credited with 192 total tackles, 13.5 career sacks, 27 quarterback hurries and three fumble recoveries. His top two seasons came in 1998 and 1999, where he played in 31 games and recorded eight quarterback sacks.
During the time between pro football stints, Jefferson had been teaching school in the Orange County School system.
At Bartow High School, Jefferson was named all-district and voted team MVP as senior. He played just one season of high school football as he had to work after school to help support his family. At UCF, he majored in Criminal Justice. He is married to Twana, with two daughters, Victoria and Samantha.