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Report: Colts Met Virtually with Oregon State RB Jermar Jefferson Recently Before the NFL Draft

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: NOV 27 Oregon at Oregon State Photo by Brian Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

According to The Draft Network’s Justin Melo, the Indianapolis Colts met virtually recently with Oregon State running back Jermar Jefferson before the upcoming NFL Draft—among other NFL teams:

The 5’10”, 217 pound junior running back had 858 rushing yards on 133 carries (6.5 ypc. avg.) and 7 rushing touchdowns, as well as 9 receptions for 67 receiving yards (7.4 ypr. avg.) during 6 starts for the Beavers in 2020.

This past season, Jefferson was named the AP’s co-Pac 12 Offensive Player of the Year, a member of the First-Team All-Pac 12 team, and was a semi-finalist for the Doak Walker Award—which is given annually to the top running back in college football.

Here’s what they’re saying on Jefferson:

Jefferson seems like a natural fit in the Colts’ zone-blocking rushing scheme—with his highly regarded vision and has big play ability with his exceptional elusiveness/speed.

Of course, the Colts have an already crowded backfield with Jonathan Taylor, Nyheim Hines, and Jordan Wilkins in the fold—even with former starter (and free agent) Marlon Mack unlikely to return this offseason.

That being said, both Hines and Wilkins are free agents after the 2021 season, so the Colts could look at drafting running back depth a year early—with Jefferson as a potential target (who’s a currently projected late Day 2/early Day 3 pick), and giving him a season to learn the ropes and play in Indy’s system for insurance purposes with an eye toward 2022.