Christopher Jefferson Earns First Team AP All-American
Findlay, Ohio – On Wednesday, Dec. 18, the Associated Press released its DII Football All-America Team via the Washington Post. University of Findlay safety Christopher Jefferson landed a spot on the first team after a record-setting sophomore season. He is the first Findlay player to land a spot on the first team AP all-American list, formerly called AP Little All-American, since running back Allen Smith earned the award in 1965.
Jefferson, the D2CCA Super Region 1 and Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Defensive Player of the Year, is the only player from the G-MAC named to either of the first or second teams.
The Euclid, Ohio native exploded onto the scene this season, earning a starting role after filling in as a backup in his freshman season. In the inaugural game of the 2019 season, Jefferson finished with five tackles, one tackle-for-loss, and an incredible leaping interception against the second-ranked Ferris State Bulldogs.
His season continued to improve as midway through the year he went on a stretch where he recorded seven interceptions over a four-game stretch to quickly make a name for himself on the national scene. Jefferson, a two-time recipient of the league's Defensive Player of the Week honors, would end the year with nine interceptions, tying the Findlay school record. Those nine picks are also tied for the most in the country, regardless of NCAA division, and helped the Oilers defense to a turnover margin that ranked seventh in the country.
Jefferson, who was also named first-team all-conference and all-region, rounded out his year with 62 tackles, fourth on the team, and recorded one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and a conference-leading 1.4 passes defended per game.