Coaches will tell a recruit almost anything to get them to commit to their school. However, former Tennessee coach (at the time) and current FAU head coach Lane Kiffin took it a step too far when he was trying to land Alshon Jeffery. The newly crowned Super Bowl champion got a pretty screwed up message from Kiffin during his recruiting process though.
The former South Carolina Gamecock was apparently told by Kiffin that he would basically amount to nothing and that staying with the in-state Gamecocks would lead to a pretty miserable life. ESPN's Chris Low did a story on Jeffery and his recruitment back in 2009 and here is what Kiffin apparently said:
According to Jeffery and Wilson, Kiffin told Jeffery that if he chose the Gamecocks, he would end up pumping gas for the rest of his life like all the other players from that state who had gone to South Carolina.
Jeffery was doing his best to stay awake at that point, but that comment from Kiffin woke him up. He clearly hasn't forgotten it, either.
"He said it, but it's not worth talking about," Jeffery said.
Jeffery showed Kiffin as he ended up being named All-SEC in 2010 as well as All-American that year. He also made a Pro Bowl in 2013 before winning this year's Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles. He also finished the regular season this year with 52 receptions for 732 yards and eight touchdowns in 13 game appearances.
He caught three passes for 73 yards and a touchdown in Super Bowl LII to boot.
[h/t The Spun]
