LSU’s Jefferson hoping to change minds

LSU's Jordan Jefferson doesn’t shy away from the criticism he received last season. In fact, he says, he deserved it. The senior said Friday he’s spent the offseason logging the hours needed to win people over, and win games. “I’m doing a lot to change a lot of people’s opinions this year,” Jefferson said at Southeastern Conference media days. “I’m buying more into the system and being more of a leader. I’m doing a lot of stuff that I wasn’t prepared to do last year.”

His coach Les Miles and teammate T-Bob Hebert agree that Jefferson has made big strides. The Tigers are regarded as contenders for the SEC and national titles, especially if the offseason work translates into a new, improved Jefferson on the field. He passed for 1,411 yards and only seven touchdowns last season while getting intercepted 10 times, and admitted his confidence ebbed at times. As for the criticism, Jefferson said, “I deserved it because I didn’t play the way I was expected to play.”“Jefferson is in his final campaign and really is at the best position that he has been in, in listening and taking coaching,” Miles said. He said there’s some competition with Mettenberger and Jarrett Lee, but he feels Jefferson still gives LSU the best chance to win.