Ultimately, Jeffcoat went undrafted despite his production in college because in the NFL he was a player without a position. Was he a defensive end? Was he an outside linebacker?
Suddenly, Jeffcoat said his dad is trying to help him get prepared for the NFL. In the past his dad wanted Jeffcoat to learn on his own.
Some teams thought Jeffcoat would be an ideal outside linebacker in a 3-4 defensive system.
"It was horrible. I ain't going to lie to you," Jeffcoat said. "It was not fun sitting there with my family. ... It was tough going from hearing first to third to sixth and then not even getting drafted. It was rough."
"I don't know," Jeffcoat said. "I honestly don't know."
His representatives and even his dad struggled to pin down a possible landing spot as the draft approached as well.
And when it came time for a team to make a commitment to Jeffcoat,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, no one was willing to spend that draft pick.
Seattle saw Jeffcoat as an option for his pass rush ability. It's the benefit of the Seahawks having a deep defensive line and seeing the success last season of having a rotation of players to use. It also was another nod to Carroll's mantra of finding the best skills in a player and trying to draw those out.
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Jackson Jeffcoat's resume almost made it certain he would be picked somewhere during the first two days of the NFL draft.
"He's all coming at me at once now. I wish he had given it to me a little earlier, but I'm glad he's putting his wisdom on me and helping me learn with my game," Jeffcoat said.
NOTES: Seattle will receive its Super Bowl rings at a private event Thursday night. "It's really an honor. The honor in it comes from doing it together with all these guys," Carroll said. ... Carroll said players recovering from surgeries — Kam Chancellor, Russell Okung,Wholesale Jerseys Authentic, Sidney Rice,Cheap Jerseys 2018, Malcolm Smith — all have a shot at being ready for the start of training camp. The one uncertainty is LB Bruce Irvin, who had hip surgery two weeks ago.
It was a question that hounded Jeffcoat throughout the pre-draft process with no one quite sure of where he could fit.
It also didn't hurt that Seattle knew Jeffcoat would come in feeling slighted by being overlooked. They've had success with those types of players before.
"He came in the league at 249 (pounds) when he got in the NFL and he played defensive end. He understands. It's technique. And with pass rushing, it's effort."
And he had the background as the son of former Dallas and Buffalo defensive lineman Jim Jeffcoat.
He was a first-team Associated Press All-American his senior season at Texas with 13 sacks and 86 total tackles, the only defensive lineman in the country to lead his team in tackles.
So why was Jeffcoat sitting around waiting for a phone call that never came during last month's draft and eventually signed as an undrafted free agent with the Seattle Seahawks?
Because Seattle is focusing on Jeffcoat's pass rush skills that's created a different aspect to the relationship with his father since he signed with the Seahawks.
Jeffcoat was first contacted by Seattle during the sixth round of the draft when linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr., called. Norton and Jeffcoat's father played together for the Cowboys, and Jeffcoat was also recruited by Seattle coach Pete Carroll coming out of high school so there was familiarity.
Others believed that despite being somewhat undersized at 6-foot-3,Cheap China Jerseys Authentic, 253 pounds, he could be a serviceable defensive end,Cheap Jerseys From China, especially in pass rush situations. He was told everything, from being a possible second or third-round pick to being selected on the final day.
"He's a really good athlete,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, he fits in athletically with the guys that play for us, same size and speed and all of that," Carroll said. "He was very productive in college in a big program so we're anxious to see if he can push and fight for a spot here."
