Ever since he came into the NFL, Justin Jefferson has cemented himself as one of the best wide receivers in the league. Building an incredible legacy already, his resume has been virtually impeccable over the last six seasons.
But his nearly unparalleled dominance first began at the collegiate level. During his three years with the LSU Tigers, he put together a stellar track record. Now, he’s offering some sage advice for today’s college football players.
Justin Jefferson Isn’t a Fan of the NIL Allure
A three-star prospect, Jefferson wasn’t a high-profile signing for LSU when he first came into the program. As a result, he spent his first year riding the bench, getting playing time in just two games but coming away without any receiving stats.
However, in his second season, the tides began to turn. Becoming the program’s lead receiver, he tallied 875 yards and 6 touchdowns. But it wasn’t until the 2019 season that he truly came into his own.
With Joe Burrow slinging the rock, the Tigers became an unguardable offense, riding their momentum to a national championship.
Individually, Jefferson’s numbers were hard to comprehend, as he co-led the country with 111 receptions while accounting for a mind-boggling 1,540 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns.
That earned him a first-round selection by the Minnesota Vikings, and he hasn’t looked back since. He already has four All-Pro selections, including two first-team nods, along with four Pro Bowl appearances.
Now, he’s trying to help the next generation of college football players. Josh Chambers covered his comments as Jefferson gave props to his coach at LSU, Jerry Sullivan.
“That’s why I be telling these guys that’s going into college, stop chasing NIL. Stop chasing the money. The money is going to come with your skill level, with making plays,” Jefferson said.
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He also warned both current and future players, “But stop going to places that’s just offering you money and not really doing nothing for your development.”
Explaining his stance further, he argued that the ultimate goal for an athlete needs to be clear.
Justin Jefferson believes college football players should stop chasing NIL money because good development will make them far more money in the long run
“Mentorship is important, 100%. And that’s why I be telling these guys that’s going into college, stop chasing NIL. Stop… pic.twitter.com/wg9H9ILNw0
— Josh Chambers (@JoshChambers) August 11, 2026
“What is the main idea? What is the main goal? The main goal is to get here, be a superstar, make that second contract. That’s what I try to kind of preach to the younger generation,” Jefferson added.
Since the college landscape adopted the NIL model, the transfer portal has become a central hive of activity.
Every year without fail, a plethora of stars change their career trajectory and look to switch programs in search of the NIL money being offered to them.
However, Jefferson stands as a shining example of how the right development system can maximize a player’s potential.
