Why Southaven's Ian Jeffries returned to high school football after not playing for 10 years

Sometimes, it can be loud.

And Southaven High's Ian Jeffries likes it that way.

“I listen to music,” he said. “I’m a music junkie. I listen to music so much, it’s ridiculous. Everything, except country (music). I can’t get into that.”

The variety of songs from his personal playlists will be pumping up the 6-foot-4, 280-pound Jeffries for an upcoming senior year on the basketball court. But, before that season tips off, he’ll be readying for only his second year of high school football. The return to the gridiron as a junior in 2021 – after a previous 10-year hiatus – has been a positive beat on the Charger campus.

“He met me early in the weight room one morning, when I wasn’t even expecting him, saying he was ready to play football — 'That's my best ticket to go to college,' Southaven coach Eddie Stevenson said. "And that’s the best answer he could have given me, because I’ve heard a lot in my 20 years.

"Just watching how he’s blossomed has made him so much better on the basketball court. And in his case, one of the selling points that I’ve given to all these colleges is he’s raw. He’s got so many great years ahead of him.”

A fever pitch

Jeffries is No. 11 in The Commercial Appeal’s 2022 Dandy Dozen, a collection of the top college football prospects for the Class of 2023 from the Memphis area as chosen by the newspaper. He first stepped foot on the gridiron at the age of 6.

“He tried out, and I wasn’t so excited because Ian was so skinny,” his mother, Erica Jeffries, said. “I was so terrified of him playing football then. But now, seeing him over the years: He’s bigger, he’s taller, he’s stronger – he’s very determined. He breathes, eats and sleeps football. I can tell he really wants it – and I’m glad to be a part of that.”

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The coaching staff plugged Jeffries in at defensive end over the course of a season where Southaven won nine of its 13 games and advanced to the second round of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A state playoffs.

“It was crazy. I wasn’t shocked at all,” Jeffries said. “To have Division I guys, where I can look and see where I need to be at. I’m staring across at Aaron Bryant, he’s at Texas right now. … ‘Here’s what I need to do,’ and I just did it. It was like a copycat. It was a fun experience.”

This summer, Jeffries has put on 20 pounds in anticipation of also playing defensive tackle at the next level.

“You’re going to know really quick if you fit in or you just need a little bit of help. (Coach Stevenson) helped me fit in right away,” he said. “Within the first week, I was in the first group, starting already. I was ready. He just made it easier for me.”

Chargers boys basketball coach Ron Wilson hasn’t struggled when it comes to lineup decisions involving Jeffries either.

“Ian is just one of those kids that’s very mature,” he said. “He loves Southaven High School, he loves his peers and he loves his teammates. Since I’ve had him, I notice he just gets it. You can’t say that about a lot of kids. He’s so unselfish. Whatever the team needs him to do, that’s what he does — and he always has a smile on his face when he does it.”

Rock star mentality

There stands to be one of Jeffries’ biggest smiles ever Sept. 7, where on his 17th birthday — and two days prior to the Chargers’ second game of the season against visiting Lafayette -- Jeffries will be announcing his commitment to one of four schools: Arkansas State, Georgia State, Illinois or Liberty.

“It’s going to be a great day,” said Erica Jeffries, “and I wish I knew now, but I have to wait just like everyone else.”

Wilson is confident that the Red Wolves, Panthers, Fighting Illini or Flames will be getting their hands on a born leader.

“I’ve never coached football, but I know in any sport you’ve got to have great footwork,” said Wilson, “and for a big guy, he moves well. Whether the rebound goes to the other side of the basket and he’s got to go get it, or he’s got to get to that quarterback, he’s just a determined kid.”

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Why Southaven's Ian Jeffries returned to football after 10 years