Jermar Jefferson Bio
Jermar Jefferson (born April 15, 2000) is an American professional football running back for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon State Beavers and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL draft. Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and listed at 218 pounds, Jefferson has built a professional career as a depth back and practice squad contributor across multiple organizations.
Early Life and Background
Jermar Jefferson was born on April 15, 2000, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in the greater Los Angeles area and initially attended Redondo Union High School in Redondo Beach, California. During his high school career, Jefferson also drew interest from several college programs scouting Southern California talent.
Before his senior year, Jefferson transferred to Narbonne High School in Harbor City, California, where he finished his prep career. He received an offer from Oregon State University and committed to the Beavers during his senior year, while also fielding an offer from the University of Southern California. Jefferson enrolled at Oregon State in 2018.
Path to American Football
Jefferson entered Oregon State as a highly regarded running back recruit and was given an immediate opportunity as a true freshman. He became the Beavers’ starting running back in 2018, an unusual step for a player who had only just arrived on campus. The early workload helped him develop quickly against Pac-12 competition.
Across his three college seasons, Jefferson grew into one of the conference’s most productive backs. After his freshman year, he continued to refine his pass-protection and route-running skills, two traits NFL scouts look for in modern running backs. His combination of size, vision, and burst ultimately led him to declare for the 2021 NFL draft, where he heard his name called on the final day.
Jermar Jefferson Career
Early Career (2018-2020)
Jefferson’s college career began with one of the most impressive freshman seasons in Oregon State history. He rushed for 238 yards in his second game, a 48-25 win against Southern Utah, and then exploded for a career-high 254 yards in a 52-24 loss to Arizona State. Through the first six games of 2018, he ranked third among all Division I FBS players with 865 rushing yards. He finished his freshman year with 1,380 rushing yards and twelve touchdown runs, earning Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year honors.
As a sophomore in 2019, Jefferson added 685 rushing yards and eight touchdowns while helping the Beavers improve as a program. In his shortened 2020 junior season, he posted 858 rushing yards and six touchdowns in just six games, earning First-team All-Pac-12 recognition. After that campaign, he decided to forgo his senior year and enter the 2021 NFL draft.
Detroit Lions Era (2021-2024)
Jefferson was selected in the seventh round, 257th overall, by the Detroit Lions in the 2021 NFL draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract with the team on May 14, 2021. On October 31 of his rookie year, he scored his first career touchdown on an eight-yard rush against the Philadelphia Eagles, providing the only points for Detroit in a 44-6 loss. He appeared in seven games as a rookie and recorded 15 carries for 74 rushing yards with two rushing touchdowns.
His tenure in Detroit was marked by frequent movement between the active roster and practice squad. Jefferson was waived on August 31, 2022, and signed to the practice squad the next day, before later signing a reserve/future contract in January 2023. He was waived again in August 2023 with an injury designation and later released with an injury settlement, only to return to the practice squad in October. Jefferson signed another reserve/future deal in January 2024 and was waived during final cuts in August 2024, then re-signed to the practice squad.
Tennessee Titans Era (2025)
On July 23, 2025, Jefferson signed with the Tennessee Titans as a free agent. He was waived on August 26 as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. His time in Tennessee was brief, as the Titans released him on August 29.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2025-Present)
Jefferson joined the Arizona Cardinals when he signed with their practice squad on October 1, 2025. On November 21, he was promoted to the active roster, marking his return to a 53-man NFL roster. On December 1, he was released and re-signed to the practice squad two days later, continuing his pattern of moving between the active roster and practice squad throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jefferson’s first career NFL touchdown, scored against Philadelphia on October 31, 2021, stands as a personal milestone, especially given it came in a difficult 44-6 loss. His 254-yard rushing performance against Arizona State in 2018 remains the defining early statement of his career and helped announce him as one of the top freshman backs in the country that season.
Jermar Jefferson Career Highlights
Across his college and professional career, Jefferson has built a resume defined by steady production at Oregon State and perseverance in the NFL. His Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year award in 2018 and First-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2020 highlight his impact at the college level, where he posted three straight 600-plus-yard rushing seasons.
Other Performances
Jefferson’s professional body of work has been built primarily through practice squad reps and short stints on active rosters. While his NFL regular-season statistics remain limited, his ability to consistently earn reserve/future contracts reflects the trust coaches have placed in his preparation and work ethic.
Jermar Jefferson Family
Personal Life
Jefferson is a United States citizen who was born and raised in the Los Angeles area of California. Public details about his immediate family, marital status, and children are not widely documented in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
Jefferson’s 2025 season has been defined by roster movement rather than a featured role. He signed with the Tennessee Titans in July, was waived at the end of August, and quickly landed with the Arizona Cardinals practice squad in October. His promotion to the Cardinals’ active roster on November 21 offered a brief window to contribute on offense.
After his December 1 release and subsequent return to the practice squad, Jefferson closed the year continuing to provide depth at running back for Arizona. The 2025 campaign underscored his journeyman path while keeping him attached to an NFL roster heading into the next league year.