From Texas Glory to Grey Cups: DE Jackson Jeffcoat on Football, Winning & Life After the Game

Former Texas Longhorns star and CFL champion Jackson Jeffcoat sits down with 3rd & Longhorn for an in-depth conversation about his football journey—from being a top recruit, playing in his father’s shadow, chasing NFL dreams, and winning back-to-back Grey Cups, to finding new purpose after retirement.

0:34 – Welcome Jackson Jeffcoat
1:16 – Jackson’s Recruiting Journey to Texas
1:25 – Growing Up an Arizona State Fan
1:51 – Summers at Oklahoma & Early Visits
2:58 – Why He Ruled Out Oklahoma
4:04 – Choosing Between Houston & Texas
4:26 – Official Visit with Trey Newton
5:37 – First Impressions of Texas Football
6:03 – Telling His Dad He Picked Texas
7:01 – Looking Back at the 2013 Season
7:38 – How He Toughened Up as a Player
8:04 – Offseason Training in Denver
8:33 – NFL Goals & Senior Year Mindset
9:10 – Building Mental Toughness
10:18 – Lessons from NFL Veterans in Seattle
11:46 – Injuries That Ended His NFL Career
12:24 – Playing Hurt in College
13:01 – Pass-Rush Skills & Texas Tech Game
14:01 – Learning Linebacker in the NFL
15:50 – Playing in His Father’s Shadow
17:20 – His Father’s Football Legacy
18:22 – From NFL to CFL
19:12 – Adjusting to the CFL Game
19:44 – Playing for Fun Again
20:01 – Trying to get back to the NFL
20:14 – Accepting the CFL and being the best where you are
20:51 – Recognizing MVP-level talent despite setbacks
21:53 – Shoutout to Jordan Hicks’ retirement
22:34 – Reflections on CFL career and championships
23:22 – Winning back-to-back Grey Cups
24:07 – Returning to Winnipeg and reconnecting with fans
25:58 – Playing in extreme cold and frostbite concerns
27:33 – Coldest playoff games and snowy conditions
28:05 – Thoughts on Texas’ current defensive line talent
29:15 – Comparing Anthony Hill to Micah Parsons
29:39 – Becoming a Texas season ticket holder
29:46 – Sharing a position room with Alex Okafor
30:35 – Scouting report on Alex Okafor’s strength and technique
33:19 – Healthy competition and mutual motivation
34:55 – Edge rusher brotherhood and past sack duos
36:52 – Iron sharpens iron: Positive pressure in football
37:36 – Most memorable moment at Texas
38:08 – Bowl game performance with torn pec
39:14 – Go-to pass rush moves and technique
40:01 Pass Rush Setup: Long Arm, Swipe, and Rip Moves
41:04 Jeffcoat’s Deep Pass Rush Bag in College
41:30 Playing Left Side vs. Right Side as a Rusher
42:44 Adjusting Moves for Different Tackles
43:23 Mental Preparation for Pass Rushing
44:01 Reading Offensive Linemen and Playing Smart
45:45 Toughest Matchups: Donald Hawkins & Trey Hopkins
46:21 Practice Trash Talk and Competition
46:38 Shifting to Retirement Talk
47:04 Love for Travel and Favorite Spot: Brazil
50:54 Deciding It Was Time to Walk Away
52:04 Choosing Life Over Football’s Hold
54:12 Why Brazil Feels Like a Second Home
54:41 Life After Football: Construction Career
57:24 Breaking into a New Industry with No Experience
59:39 Discovering the Benefits of the Construction Path
1:01:04 Career Success Not Always How You Picture It
1:01:34 Advice for Athletes in Transition
1:03:42 The Importance of Taking Your Time After Retirement

Derrick Johnson: https://www.instagram.com/superdj56
Alex Okafor: https://www.instagram.com/alexokafor
Jeremy Hills: https://www.instagram.com/jhills5
Fozzy Whittaker: https://www.instagram.com/fozzywhitt
Rod Babers: https://www.instagram.com/rodbabers
Nick Shuley: https://www.instagram.com/nickshuley