Irmo’s Trajan Jeffcoat ready to showcase his versatility this week at Shrine Bowl

SPARTANBURG, SC Irmo’s Trajan Jeffcoat can show off his versatility this week at the Shrine Bowl.

The senior will be handling a variety of roles on defense, including playing some defensive end and going after the quarterback. But he also will be playing linebacker and going up in practice against some speedy receivers, including South Pointe’s Derion Kendrick.

“I am just learning to keep my composure going against the wide receivers, but they got me as a rush end, too, and that is my thing,” Jeffcoat said after Monday’s second practice. “I’m getting the best of both worlds, so it is pretty good.”

Jeffcoat had a breakout season for the Yellow Jackets, who won six games this season for the first time since 2013. He led the team in sacks with 13 and quarterback hurries with 23.

Jeffcoat, 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, was third on the team in tackles with 72 and also forced three fumbles. He had a career-high four sacks against J.L. Mann in the second game of season and earned The State’s Defensive Player of Week honors.

Jeffcoat’s performance and strong showing in some of the summer camps got him on the radar of Division I coaches. South Carolina gave Jeffcoat an offer in June, but he has had his mind made up since the fall that he will be playing in the SEC at Missouri.

Jeffcoat, a three-star prospect, said he plans to sign with Missouri next week during the early signing period, which begins Dec. 20.

“I love Mizzou, and that is everything on my mind right now. I have tunnel vision for Missouri, and that is what it is going to be,” Jeffcoat said. “I love the campus, the people and the environment. They have a good business management program and that drew my attention to that.”

Jeffcoat also liked the recent history of Missouri defensive players going to the NFL. Defensive end Charles Harris was a first-round pick of the Dolphins this year, and Shane Ray was taken by the Broncos in the first round of the 2015 draft.

“They put a lot of defensive ends in the league, and I need that to help take me to the next level,” Jeffcoat said.

This story was originally published December 11, 2017 at 7:56 PM with the headline "Irmo’s Trajan Jeffcoat ready to showcase his versatility this week at Shrine Bowl."