Dear Texas: A Letter from Longhorn Jackson Jeffcoat

Jackson Jeffcoat of Plano West played for the Longhorns from 2010 to 2013 as a strong-side defensive end. The son of Dallas Cowboys legend Jim Jeffcoat, Jackson was a consensus five-star and the number one edge in the country.

During his four years in Austin, he racked up 26 sacks and was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2013, the Hendricks Award winner for the nation’s top edge, as well as a unanimous All-American. After time with Seattle and Washington in the NFL, Jeffcoat transitioned to the CFL. While a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, he became a CFL All-Star and two-time Grey Cup winner in 2019 and 2021. In 2023, Jeffcoat retired from the CFL after six seasons and is now working in Austin in construction and commercial real estate.

Jeffcoat is the featured interviewee in this week’s episode of 3rd and Longhorn. In partnership with our friends at 3rd and Longhorn and Jackson himself, we’re proud to share his heartfelt letter to Texas and Longhorn fans. Subscribe to 3rd and Longhorn and don’t miss Jackson’s or any episode throughout the season.

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Dear Texas,

Dear Texas: A Letter from Longhorn Jackson Jeffcoat

Jackson Jeffcoat of Plano West played for the Longhorns from 2010 to 2013 as a strong-side defensive end. The son of Dallas Cowboys legend Jim Jeffcoat, Jackson was a consensus five-star and the number one edge in the country. During his four years in Austin, he racked up 26 sacks and was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2013, the Hendricks Award winner for the nation’s top edge, as well as a unanimous All-American. After time with Seattle and Washington in the NFL, Jeffcoat transitioned to the CFL. While a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, he became a CFL All-Star and two-time Grey Cup winner in 2019 and 2021. In 2023, Jeffcoat retired from the CFL after six seasons and is now working in Austin in construction and commercial real estate.

Jeffcoat is the featured interviewee in this week’s episode of 3rd and Longhorn. In partnership with our friends at 3rd and Longhorn and Jackson himself, we’re proud to share his heartfelt letter to Texas and Longhorn fans. Subscribe to 3rd and Longhorn and don’t miss Jackson’s or any episode throughout the season.

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Dear Texas,

I’ll be honest, growing up I never wanted to be a Longhorn.

My dad, Jim, was an Arizona State guy, so I didn’t have the natural connection to Texas other kids did. But as I started being recruited, I couldn’t fight what was meant to be. Other teams just kept eliminating themselves. I loved USC, but then Pete Carroll left for the Seahawks. I even liked Oklahoma a lot, but then my twin sister Jacqueline committed there for basketball. And although she’s not going to like hearing this, I’d gone to school with her my whole life and I needed to do something different. Plus, she’s beautiful and I knew teammates would be trying to date her. I didn’t want to fight my own teammates over my sister.

A lot of people think it was between Oklahoma and Texas, but it was really Houston and Texas at the end of the day. My dad was the defensive line coach for the Cougars, but he always told me to make my own decision. He respected the Longhorns and liked Coach Brown and Coach Oscar Giles. My dad never pressured me to come play for him, even though I wanted to. He always told me, “Make the decision like the coaches weren’t there.” So I thought about where I’d want to be if football wasn’t in the picture and that made me realize I wanted to be in Austin.

I came into Texas pretty polished as a pass rusher. I’d studied my dad my whole life and learned from him. But once I got to Texas I realized I had more to learn. That’s also how my parents raised me and my siblings. We never got the opportunity to be entitled despite being the kids of an NFL player. They always made us work for everything. Plus, things had changed since my dad played in the NFL, so I needed to be a sponge. I wanted to cement my name up there with the other greats like Rod Wright, Sergio Kindle, Tim Crowder and Brian Orakpo. So, I tried to pick their brains whenever I could. I played opposite great ends like Alex Okafor and Cedric Reed and they taught me there was more to playing than having a deep bag or natural talent. It was also about building yourself up, getting stronger and playing through pain.

And Longhorn fans, that’s one thing I want you to know about me. I was so proud to put on the burnt orange that I played through injury for my entire four years at Texas. I needed to put it all on the line for Texas. High ankle sprains, a busted back, a torn pectoral.

And how could I not? I couldn’t miss those moments no matter what was ailing me.

Getting to show Texas A&M the door at Kyle Field. Scoring a touchdown in the first game against West Virginia as the roof was being blown off DKR. Beating Cal in the Holiday Bowl with one arm. Then wearing the Golden Hat in my last Red River.

I finally got peace about the NFL Draft about two years ago, though it was a decade before I could watch it on TV. Going undrafted hurt, because I know who I was as a player and what I could have done. But I never got a clear answer on why. I was pegged as a fourth- or fifth-rounder, but when those rounds passed I just thought, “Oh no.” Then when I got to the NFL I had to fight off the league’s perception about Texas players. I did everything I could, playing through pain and injuries again, to show Seattle and Washington who I was as a player and what I could do.

When I made the decision to go to Canada, it was mostly about getting more film on tape for the NFL. I had the wrong idea about the CFL before I got there. I thought, “This will be easy.” But man, I was wrong. If you compare the CFL to the NFL, the only thing it lacks are the true superstars, like the top level. Everyone else can play. But once I got to Winnipeg I felt a weight lifted off me. I realized I failed in the NFL Draft, I failed in the NFL. Why should I be scared of failing now? I’m just here to be the best CFL player I can be and win.

I can’t tell you how special it was to me to be able to lift the Grey Cup. I broke down when it happened. To be part of a great team, a championship team, it’s something I’d always wanted dating back to watching my dad win Super Bowls with the Cowboys. I got to star alongside great players like at Texas and opposite another outstanding defensive end, Beaumont’s own Willie Jefferson. Delivering the Grey Cup to the Winnipeg fans was special. They hadn’t won it in 30 years. Then we won it again in 2021 and I got to do another thing my dad accomplished with the Cowboys, winning back-to-back championships.

After we won it, I took the Grey Cup to Austin and DKR in the offseason. It was special snapping a picture with it on the field. My two worlds, my two homes, collided. It was a sweet feeling to be able to share my joy and excitement over winning the Grey Cup with Longhorn fans.

When I retired in 2023, I had peace with my game and the fact the football part of my life had come to an end. I left a multi-time champion, having proven what I could do on the field. There was also so much I still wanted to do and learn off of it.

Going to the University of Texas helped me realize I was a lifelong learner. When I was on campus I couldn’t get enough, whether it was classes about communications, business, language, or culture. In the fall of my senior year I took 18 hours and learned Portuguese. I haven’t stopped loving to learn about different cultures or people who aren’t like me. I credit UT and Canada with building my love for travel and adventure. Whether it’s the food or music in Brazil or the culture and history of Japan, I try to take an international trip every year. The love of learning started at UT and it hasn’t stopped yet. Whether it’s in real estate, construction, design, or entrepreneurship, I’m always trying to develop and grow, to be a sponge just like I was on the field.

To the fans, I can’t thank you enough for the ways you’ve continued to support me. People in Austin still come up to me with things like, “I saw you have three sacks against Texas Tech!” Your passion and memories amaze me. I’m so grateful for how you’ve continued to support me.

To Texas, I put it all on the line for you to grow and be a better player. I want you to know I’m still working, on a journey, growing and developing. I know you’re always with me.

Hook ’Em,

Jackson Jeffcoat