Ellis Jefferson announces intention to leave ASU as graduate transfer
Feb 15, 2017, 3:32 PM
Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Ellis Jefferson warms up before the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
From coaches to players, the Arizona State Sun Devils will have a different look on the football field in 2017.
One player who won’t be returning is wide receiver Ellis Jefferson, who announced his decision to transfer to another institution Wednesday to continue his football career after graduating from ASU.
To the Arizona State University, Athletics, and Loyal Supporters… pic.twitter.com/uS0OcBNdNR
— District 19 (@Ellis_Jefferson) February 15, 2017
Jefferson came to ASU as part of Graham’s first recruiting class in 2013 out of Guyer High School in Denton, Texas. He would redshirt in 2013 before seeing his first game action a year later. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound receiver caught 11 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns in his redshirt freshman season.
Jefferson never became a big part of the Sun Devils’ offense. In 2015, he had 12 catches for 160 yards and saw limited time as a junior last season, catching only two passes for 21 yards.
As a graduate, he is immediately eligible to play at another Division I school.
The Sun Devils are not hurting at wide receiver, even without Jefferson on the roster. Freshman All-American N’Keal Harry returns and transfers Ryan Newsome (Texas) and John Humphrey (Oklahoma) are both eligible. Jalen Harvey, Cameron Smith and Kyle Williams also return for 2017.
