JustinJeffries

• SEC All-Freshman Team by SEC coaches (2006)

Two-year starter at right tackle … Sat out spring practice while he recovered from off-season shoulder surgery … Will work to regain his starting role in August … Saw some playing time in the defensive line as a true freshman … Has seen action in 34 games, earning 22 starts.

2008 (Junior): Started nine games after missing four contests because of a knee injury … Helped Kentucky rush for 297 yards against Norfolk State, the most since 2004 … UK’s offensive line yielded just 13 sacks, which was the best in the SEC and ranked fourth nationally … Team also ranked 11th in fewest tackles for loss allowed.

2007 (Sophomore): Started all 13 games … The UK offense set a school record by scoring 475 points this season … UK averaged 155.5 rushing yards per game, the team’s best mark in a dozen years … In the line’s most courageous effort, they protected quarterback Andre’ Woodson by not giving up any sacks while also opening lanes for 125 yards on the ground against LSU, one of the nation’s top defenses.

2006 (Freshman): Named to the SEC All-Freshman Team by league coaches … Has played in 12 games … Member of the PAT team who also played in several offensive series during the year … Began preseason practice at defensive tackle before moving to offensive tackle … Played defensive tackle at LSU, staying at the position only one game, when injuries struck that position in October … Made two tackles in that LSU game.

High School: First-team all-state offensive lineman by The Associated Press and the Louisville Courier-Journal as a senior … Also chosen for the Lexington Herald-Leader “Class of the Commonwealth” top-22 seniors in Kentucky and the “Kentucky Tremendous 26” by the state coaches association … Three-year letterman and two-year starter at perennial power St. Xavier HS in Louisville … Helped St. X to consecutive 14-1 records his last two years, including a Class AAAA state championship as a junior and state runner-up finish as a senior … During his senior year, the team averaged approximately 300 rushing yards per game and had a pair of 1,000-yard rushers … All-South Region by PrepStar … The No. 13 prospect in Kentucky by Rivals.com and rated No. 16 by SuperPrep … Also chosen to the all-county team … Played in the Kentucky-Tennessee High School All-Star Game … Coached by Mike Glaser … “Justin’s best assets are his physical size and ability,” Glaser said. “He is extremely strong and physical. He also runs well and has good feet. He’s still maturing and will get stronger and faster.” … Participated in track and field, throwing the shot put, and also a member of the powerlifting team … A student ambassador for St. Xavier, helping recruit future students for the school … In addition to Kentucky, his recruiting finalists include Michigan, West Virginia, and Louisville.

Personal: Born in Louisville, Ky. … Son of Karen Jeffries and Curtis Jeffries … Curtis played pro football with the Cincinnati Bengals … Another relative, Dave Schureck, played soccer at Xavier (Ohio) and is now the soccer coach at that school … Major is community communications and leadership development.