Louisville is wasting no time getting in early on one of Florida’s rising stars. The Cardinals have extended a scholarship offer to Tyrese Jefferson, a 2029 running back out of Melbourne, Florida. At 6-foot, 165 pounds, Jefferson is just a freshman-but he's already turning heads with the kind of production that makes college coaches take notice.
The offer from Louisville came on January 29, not long after Jefferson visited campus and connected with UofL assistant coach Brandon Sharp. That meeting clearly left an impression on both sides.
“I met with Coach Sharp on campus one day, it was a great conversation,” Jefferson said. “Got to know each other briefly and then about a day or two later, he reached out to my coach again and then it became real. It’s a blessing.”
That offer from the Cardinals joins a growing list for Jefferson, who’s already picked up early interest from programs across the country. Baylor, Florida State, Miami, Iowa State, SMU, South Florida, Liberty, UTSA, and Bethune-Cookman have all thrown their hats in the ring.
And it’s easy to see why.
As a freshman, Jefferson put together a stat line that would be impressive at any level. He rushed for 798 yards and 15 touchdowns on just 110 carries-good for over 7 yards per touch.
He had three games with 100+ yards on the ground and five games where he found the end zone at least twice. He wasn’t just a threat in the backfield, either.
Jefferson caught 21 passes for 319 yards and three more scores, showcasing the kind of versatility that modern offenses crave.
This early in the recruiting process, it’s all about projection-and Jefferson is already showing the tools that coaches love to build around. He’s got burst, balance, and a knack for making plays in space. Add in his ability to contribute in the passing game, and you’ve got a back who fits the mold of today’s multi-dimensional offensive weapon.
For Louisville, getting in on a player like Jefferson this early is about more than just talent evaluation-it’s about building relationships and planting seeds. And for Jefferson, every offer is another sign that the work he’s putting in is paying off.
“It means a lot,” he said. “It’s greatly appreciated. All these offers right now are blessings that I’m beyond grateful for.”
There’s a long road ahead in Jefferson’s recruitment-he’s only a freshman, after all-but the early buzz is real. And if his freshman numbers are any indication, this is a name we’ll be hearing a lot more of in the years to come.