Ramon Jefferson has had interesting journey to UK but now could figure into UK running back rotation

Ramon Jefferson has played at two FCS schools and one junior college but feels blessed to be at UK now.

If you like a college athlete who has done whatever it takes to pursue his dream, then you should like new Kentucky running back Ramon Jefferson.

Here is what it took for him to get to Kentucky for the 2022 season:

— He played high school football in New York City before signing with Maine. His offensive coordinator during his 2017 redshirt season was Liam Coen, the same Liam Coen who was UK’s offensive coordinator in 2021 when the Cats won 10 games.

— In 2018, he ran for 1,037 yards and eight touchdowns at Maine and had six catches for 50 yards as Maine reached the FCS playoff semifinals.

— In 2019, he transferred to Garden City Community (Junior) College in Kansas and ran for 994 yards and 13 touchdowns.

— In 2020, he moved back to the FCS level by transferring to Sam Houston State. COVID delayed the 2020 season until the spring of 2021 where he ran for 752 yards and seven touchdowns in 10 games. He had 96 yards rushing in the FCS championship game win over South Dakota State. During the fall 2021 season, he rushed for 1,155 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging a Chris Rodriguez-like 6.7 yards per run. He earned second team all-American honors.

Now he’s in the Southeastern Conference — he originally announced he would transfer to Colorado but changed his mind — and seems to have a good chance to play despite the depth of UK’s running backs. His odds of playing increase even more if Rodriguez has to miss games for any reason.

“It’s just a blessing to be here. I always wanted this kind of opportunity. That’s why I say it truly is a blessing,” Jefferson said. “I got to be part of a national championship (at Sam Houston State) but now I am part of a program where the tradition is growing and I know I am going to be part of something special here.”

Along with Rodriguez, Kentucky also returns running backs JuTahn McClain, Michael Drennen, Kavosiey Smoke and La’Vell Wright. But you just sense that new offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello likes Jefferson’s physicality and is already looking for ways to incorporate him into the offense.

“He is a good football player. Ramon was very productive the last two years. He is a really good zone runner. He has a good feel for combinations, he is physical, he is a grown man,” the UK offensive coordinator said.

“He has a lot in his life he has dealt with and overcome. He is a grown man. He approaches it well. He has helped the (running backs) room and he has added depth and we are going to need it.”