Regained starting position at cornerback to start 2001 season ... closed out career with first two interceptions of his career against Purdue ... determined and competitive player. AS A SENIOR: Irish starter at cornerback to begin 2001 season ... recorded seven tackles vs. Nebraska ... a leader of Irish pass defense ranked seventh nationally after holding Nebraska to 88 yards passing, Michigan State to 208 yards, Texas A&M to 177 yards, Pittsburgh to 182 yards, and West Virginia to 91 yards through the air ... did not play vs. Pittsburgh or West Virginia ... returned in a reserve role vs. USC to record two tackles ... did not play vs. Boston College ... recorded four tackles and forced a fumble vs. Tennessee ... returned to starting line-up vs. Navy, Stanford and Purdue ... recorded first two career interceptions vs. Purdue. AS A JUNIOR: Irish reserve cornerback in 2000 ... had three tackles and caused a fumble against Texas A&M ... played only on special teams against Nebraska after suffering right ankle sprain in opener ... returned to secondary action against Purdue ... made four tackles vs. Stanford and three vs. Navy ... started vs. Navy as Irish went with five defensive back alignment vs. option attack ... also started vs. West Virginia as Notre Dame opened in nickel package ... sprained ankle vs. Air Force caused him to miss Boston College and Rutgers games ... earned starting assignment vs. Oregon State in 2001 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl and made three solo tackles ... made 69 regular-season special teams appearances. AS A SOPHOMORE: Irish starter at left cornerback throughout '99 ... led defenders in passes broken up in '99 with eight - and finished as number-three overall tackler with 77 ... made first career start vs. Kansas and started all 12 games at left corner for Irish ... blocked field-goal attempt in third quarter vs. Kansas, setting up a Notre Dame touchdown ... shared team high with seven tackles vs. Kansas ... made nine tackles and broke up a pass vs. Michigan ... recorded career-high 10 tackles and recovered first-quarter fumble vs. Purdue, leading to Notre Dame's opening field goal ... notched five solo tackles vs. Arizona State and USC ... had six tackles including one for a loss vs. Tennessee ... had four tackles, a fumble recovery, and two passes broken up vs. Pittsburgh ... recorded six tackles and broke up two passes vs. Boston College ... had six tackles in final game of season at Stanford. AS A FRESHMAN: Played in two games in '98 as reserve Irish cornerback ... saw game action vs. Stanford and Baylor. HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: USA Today first-team prep All-American ... rated 24th best player nationally by Chicago Sun-Times and 64th best player by The Sporting News ... rated one of top 100 players in Texas by Dallas Morning News ... earned three letters in football as cornerback at Carter High School in Dallas . . . intercepted six passes while making 30 solo and 22 assisted tackles as senior in '97, to go with two caused fumbles and two recoveries ... had 16 career interceptions, eight as junior in '96 ... had 29 solos, 18 assists, 11 tackles for loss, five caused fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one blocked kick, two sacks as junior ... captain of team as senior . . .all-state and all-Dallas as senior, all-conference as junior and senior ... earned four letters in track (sprints) ... ran 10.6 100, 21.01 200 and 49.9 400 as junior ... two-time captain in track ... second cousin of '97 Irish captain Allen Rossum ... full name is Clifford Earl Jefferson ... born 9-6-79 in Dallas ... oldest of three children ... earned 3.267 grade-point average during 2001 spring semester ... graduated with a degree in economics from the College of Arts and Letters. Jefferson's Career Statistics
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