When DJ Jefferson steps onto the court at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center this Sunday, it won’t just be another non-conference game-it’ll be a homecoming of sorts. The former Tennessee Volunteer, now suiting up for Gardner-Webb, is returning to Knoxville as his new team takes on the Vols in one of Tennessee’s final tune-ups before SEC play begins.
Jefferson, a 6-foot-4 wing, is in his first season with the Runnin’ Bulldogs and has carved out a steady role in the rotation. Through 10 games, he’s averaging 6.9 points and 2.1 rebounds while shooting 38% from the floor and 34% from beyond the arc.
Not eye-popping numbers, but solid contributions-especially considering the level of competition he’s faced. His best outings this season came against DePaul and Richmond, where he dropped 12 and 11 points, respectively.
For a player still finding his footing, those performances show flashes of what made him a four-star recruit coming out of high school.
Jefferson’s journey to this point has been winding. He arrived at Tennessee as a highly regarded member of the 2022 class but redshirted his freshman season.
His only game action for the Vols came in the 2023-24 season opener against Tennessee Tech, where he logged three minutes, knocked down a three-pointer, and grabbed two rebounds. That brief appearance was the extent of his on-court contribution in Knoxville.
After that season, Jefferson transferred to Longwood, where he played in 13 games and averaged 3.7 points and 2.3 rebounds. Following another offseason move, he landed at Gardner-Webb, where he’s now seeing more consistent playing time and looking to build momentum in his college career.
When he looks across the floor on Sunday, Jefferson won’t see many familiar faces. Only three players on Tennessee’s current roster-Cade Phillips, JP Estrella, and Grant Hurst-were teammates of his during his time in Knoxville. The Vols have reloaded with new talent, and the program has continued to evolve since Jefferson’s departure.
This isn’t the first time Gardner-Webb has made the trip to Knoxville recently. The Bulldogs opened the 2023-24 season at Tennessee, where the Vols handled business with an 80-64 win.
Chaz Lanier led the charge in that one with 18 points, while Jordan Gainey added 17 and Zakai Zeigler chipped in 13 points and nine assists. That game marked the debut for Gardner-Webb head coach Jeremy Luther, who took over the program last season.
It’s been a tough stretch for Luther and the Bulldogs. They finished last season with an 11-20 record, including a 5-11 mark in Big South play. This year hasn’t started any smoother-Gardner-Webb enters Sunday’s matchup at just 2-12, with both wins coming against Division II opponents.
For Tennessee, this game is about fine-tuning before the grind of SEC competition begins. For DJ Jefferson, it’s a chance to show how far he’s come since his days in orange and white.
Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, with streaming available on SEC Network+.