Photo by: Mike Sudoma | Free Press
11/11/2026 12:16:00 PM | Football
Southland-leading three former Jacks in midst of NFL campaigns
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Former Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack Willie Jefferson closed another standout Canadian Football League campaign with a historic milestone, adding to a career that has established him among the league's premier defensive playmakers. Qualan Jones wrapped up his debut professional season, taking the next step in his football journey following his time in Nacogdoches. Meanwhile, three former Jacks remain in the midst of their NFL campaigns, continuing SFA's Southland Conference-leading presence at the highest level of professional football. Half of the Southland Conference's former players on active NFL rosters are Lumberjacks and SFA leads the league with three players on active or practice squad rosters.Â
Willie Jefferson | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | CFL
SFA: 2011–12
>>> Willie Jefferson's 2026 season ended November 7 when Winnipeg fell 33–23 to Montreal in the CFL Eastern Final, which followed a 25–22 victory over Toronto in the Eastern Semi-Final. Jefferson played all 18 regular-season games, recording 23 defensive tackles, seven sacks, one tackle for loss and 13 pass knockdowns. He finished third in the CFL in pass knockdowns and tied for eighth in sacks while more than doubling his three-sack production from 2025. His biggest historical achievement came in the passing lanes, where he became the third player in CFL history to reach 100 career pass knockdowns before moving into second place on the league's all-time list. He finished the season with 107 career knockdowns, leaving him four shy of tying Eddie Davis' CFL record of 111 and five away from establishing a new mark. Jefferson also holds the CFL single-season record for pass knockdowns by a defensive lineman with 16, established in 2019 and matched in 2025. The campaign marked his 12th CFL season and seventh with Winnipeg after earlier stops in Edmonton and Saskatchewan. Following Winnipeg's playoff exit, Jefferson indicated that he intends to continue playing in 2027.
Qualan Jones | Toronto Argonauts | CFL
SFA: 2024
>>> Across six regular-season appearances, Qualan Jones accumulated 124 rushing yards on 29 carries and caught 14 passes for 109 yards. Those totals gave him 233 yards from scrimmage, with averages of 4.3 yards per carry and 7.8 yards per reception. His longest run covered 21 yards in Toronto's September 7 win at Hamilton, while his season-high receiving total was 34 yards against Ottawa on September 12. Jones first received an extended opportunity in August, when Toronto inserted him into the lineup against Hamilton after he had spent the early portion of the season developing with the club.
John Franklin-Myers | Tennessee Titans | NFL
SFA: 2014–17
>>> John Franklin-Myers recorded two tackles, including one solo stop, in Tennessee's 43–36 loss at Cincinnati on November 1, its final game before the Week 9 bye. He also finished with two tackles against Cleveland the previous week, giving him consecutive games with multiple stops. Through eight appearances this season, Franklin-Myers has recorded 1.5 sacks, six solo tackles and one pass defended. His sacks came against Philadelphia on September 20 and Houston on October 11, with the latter credited as a half-sack. His pass breakup came during Tennessee's September 27 visit to the New York Giants. The former Lumberjack is in his ninth NFL season and first with Tennessee after signing with the Titans in March. He arrived following two seasons in Denver, where he produced seven sacks in 2024 and a career-high 7.5 in 2025.
Charles Demmings | Minnesota Vikings | NFL
SFA: 2021–25
>>> Charles Demmings continues to develop in his rookie season with the Minnesota Vikings, gaining experience in a veteran secondary. Although inactive for Minnesota's most recent matchup against Buffalo, the former Lumberjack has appeared in three games this season. He has logged 24 special teams snaps and two defensive snaps, with special teams providing his primary opportunity to contribute early in his career. Demmings returned to full practice in October after overcoming a hamstring injury. Minnesota selected him in the fifth round with the 163rd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He became the 37th NFL draft selection in SFA history and the second Lumberjack drafted by the Vikings.Â
Xavier Gipson | Philadelphia Eagles | NFL — Practice Squad
SFA: 2019–22
>>> Xavier Gipson continues his fourth NFL season with the Philadelphia Eagles, providing experience at wide receiver and in the return game as a member of the practice squad. Philadelphia brought him back September 11 following his five appearances with the Eagles last season. His return reunited him with an organization familiar with the versatility that helped him establish an NFL career as an undrafted free agent out of SFA in 2023. Although he has yet to appear in a regular-season game this fall, Gipson showcased his playmaking ability during the preseason with the New York Giants, catching four passes for 66 yards and a touchdown. He capped that preseason with two receptions for 54 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown, against the Jets. Across 41 career regular-season games, Gipson has totaled 29 receptions for 274 yards and a touchdown, along with 73 rushing yards and another score. His special teams résumé includes 1,319 kickoff return yards, 671 punt return yards and a punt return touchdown.
FOLLOW THE LUMBERJACKS
For all the latest information on SFA football, visit SFAjacks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Lumberjacks on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Willie Jefferson | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | CFL
SFA: 2011–12
>>> Willie Jefferson's 2026 season ended November 7 when Winnipeg fell 33–23 to Montreal in the CFL Eastern Final, which followed a 25–22 victory over Toronto in the Eastern Semi-Final. Jefferson played all 18 regular-season games, recording 23 defensive tackles, seven sacks, one tackle for loss and 13 pass knockdowns. He finished third in the CFL in pass knockdowns and tied for eighth in sacks while more than doubling his three-sack production from 2025. His biggest historical achievement came in the passing lanes, where he became the third player in CFL history to reach 100 career pass knockdowns before moving into second place on the league's all-time list. He finished the season with 107 career knockdowns, leaving him four shy of tying Eddie Davis' CFL record of 111 and five away from establishing a new mark. Jefferson also holds the CFL single-season record for pass knockdowns by a defensive lineman with 16, established in 2019 and matched in 2025. The campaign marked his 12th CFL season and seventh with Winnipeg after earlier stops in Edmonton and Saskatchewan. Following Winnipeg's playoff exit, Jefferson indicated that he intends to continue playing in 2027.
Qualan Jones | Toronto Argonauts | CFL
SFA: 2024
>>> Across six regular-season appearances, Qualan Jones accumulated 124 rushing yards on 29 carries and caught 14 passes for 109 yards. Those totals gave him 233 yards from scrimmage, with averages of 4.3 yards per carry and 7.8 yards per reception. His longest run covered 21 yards in Toronto's September 7 win at Hamilton, while his season-high receiving total was 34 yards against Ottawa on September 12. Jones first received an extended opportunity in August, when Toronto inserted him into the lineup against Hamilton after he had spent the early portion of the season developing with the club.
John Franklin-Myers | Tennessee Titans | NFL
SFA: 2014–17
>>> John Franklin-Myers recorded two tackles, including one solo stop, in Tennessee's 43–36 loss at Cincinnati on November 1, its final game before the Week 9 bye. He also finished with two tackles against Cleveland the previous week, giving him consecutive games with multiple stops. Through eight appearances this season, Franklin-Myers has recorded 1.5 sacks, six solo tackles and one pass defended. His sacks came against Philadelphia on September 20 and Houston on October 11, with the latter credited as a half-sack. His pass breakup came during Tennessee's September 27 visit to the New York Giants. The former Lumberjack is in his ninth NFL season and first with Tennessee after signing with the Titans in March. He arrived following two seasons in Denver, where he produced seven sacks in 2024 and a career-high 7.5 in 2025.
Charles Demmings | Minnesota Vikings | NFL
SFA: 2021–25
>>> Charles Demmings continues to develop in his rookie season with the Minnesota Vikings, gaining experience in a veteran secondary. Although inactive for Minnesota's most recent matchup against Buffalo, the former Lumberjack has appeared in three games this season. He has logged 24 special teams snaps and two defensive snaps, with special teams providing his primary opportunity to contribute early in his career. Demmings returned to full practice in October after overcoming a hamstring injury. Minnesota selected him in the fifth round with the 163rd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He became the 37th NFL draft selection in SFA history and the second Lumberjack drafted by the Vikings.Â
Xavier Gipson | Philadelphia Eagles | NFL — Practice Squad
SFA: 2019–22
>>> Xavier Gipson continues his fourth NFL season with the Philadelphia Eagles, providing experience at wide receiver and in the return game as a member of the practice squad. Philadelphia brought him back September 11 following his five appearances with the Eagles last season. His return reunited him with an organization familiar with the versatility that helped him establish an NFL career as an undrafted free agent out of SFA in 2023. Although he has yet to appear in a regular-season game this fall, Gipson showcased his playmaking ability during the preseason with the New York Giants, catching four passes for 66 yards and a touchdown. He capped that preseason with two receptions for 54 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown, against the Jets. Across 41 career regular-season games, Gipson has totaled 29 receptions for 274 yards and a touchdown, along with 73 rushing yards and another score. His special teams résumé includes 1,319 kickoff return yards, 671 punt return yards and a punt return touchdown.
FOLLOW THE LUMBERJACKS
For all the latest information on SFA football, visit SFAjacks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Lumberjacks on X, Instagram and Facebook.
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