#ProJacks Report: Jefferson, Winnipeg Win Opener; Vest, Walkup Continue as Former Jack Begins Year 12
6/10/2026 5:00:00 PM | General
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The 13th season in the professional gridiron career, and 12th north of the border, for former Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack Willie Jefferson began on Friday, June 5. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers opened the Canadian Football League season with a 30-28 victory over Calgary. Jefferson, who entered the 2026 campaign second all-time in career knockdowns and six shy of 100 for his career, finished the season opener with two defensive tackles, one sack and two pass knockdowns to climb closer to the career century mark.
The Beaumont, Texas native and the Blue Bombers return to action for a Week 2 home opener against the Hamilton Tiger Cats. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. For the full 2026 WPG schedule, visit bluebombers.com.
Qualan Jones signed with the Toronto Argonauts in February. He made his debut in Canada in the Argos' preseason matchup against Hamilton. He rushed four times for five yards. Toronto opens the regular season on June 12 in Montreal against the Alouettes, runner-up in the 112th Grey Cup. For the full 2026 TOR schedule, visit argonauts.ca.
Thomas Walkup, recent EuroLeague champ, continues action in the Greek Basket League with Olympiacos. Walkup is back in action on June 13 in a decisive Game 5 of the Greek League Finals against Panathinaikos who Olympiacos dropped a 93-86 decision to on Thursday in double overtime. Walkup played nearly 39 minutes and finished with 19 points, three assists, one rebound and a steal.
Will Vest, a member of Team USA during the 2026 World Baseball Classic, is in his sixth MLB season and fifth with the Detroit Tigers. Activated from the injury list in mid-May, Vest has totaled 18 strikeouts in 6.0 innings of relief over his past five appearances which includes earning the win against Seattle (6/7), a save over Tampa Bay (6/1) and a hold against the Chicago White Sox (5/29). The Tigers are scheduled for a three-game series against the Astros in Houston on June 15-17 and against the Rangers in Arlington on July 2-5. Detroit's schedule can be found here.
Cody Templeton, recent SFA graduate and a key member of the Lumberjacks' pitching staff over the past two seasons, begins his professional career with the Milwaukee Milkmen of the American Association after signing with the club on May 27. Templeton will wear No. 7 for the Milkmen. Milwaukee is currently in Indiana for a three-game stint with the Gary Southshore RailCats. Templeton returns to his native Texas in late July when the Milkmen meet East Division foe Cleburne Railroaders for a six-game series from July 28 through August 2.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE: Recent Minnesota Vikings draft pick Charles Demmings is currently in mandatory minicamp which runs through Thursday, while the final of three waves of organized team activities is scheduled for June 15-18. John Franklin-Myers, who preps for his eighth NFL season, inked a three-year, $63 million deal with the Tennessee Titans in early March. Franklin-Myers preps in a two-day OTA window beginning Thursday, prior to mandatory minicamp on June 16-17. Xavier Gipson played in seven games across three teams in 2025 and signed to the New York Giants' active roster from the practice squad on January 3. Gipson and the G-Men have concluded OTAs and mandatory minicamps for the summer.
NFL SCHEDULE NOTES: The Vikings and Giants open preseason action on August 15 and Minnesota travels to New Orleans on October 11. The Titans and the Giants meet Week 3; Tennessee plays at Dallas on November 22 and will close out the regular season in Houston. The Giants make two trips to Texas, the first on October 25 for a Week 7 tilt at Houston and on January 3 against NFC East rival Dallas.
FULL 2026 SCHEDULES: VIKINGS | TITANS | GIANTS
FOLLOW THE LUMBERJACKS
For all the latest information on SFA athletics, visit SFAjacks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Lumberjacks on X, Instagram and Facebook.
The Beaumont, Texas native and the Blue Bombers return to action for a Week 2 home opener against the Hamilton Tiger Cats. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. For the full 2026 WPG schedule, visit bluebombers.com.
Qualan Jones signed with the Toronto Argonauts in February. He made his debut in Canada in the Argos' preseason matchup against Hamilton. He rushed four times for five yards. Toronto opens the regular season on June 12 in Montreal against the Alouettes, runner-up in the 112th Grey Cup. For the full 2026 TOR schedule, visit argonauts.ca.
Thomas Walkup, recent EuroLeague champ, continues action in the Greek Basket League with Olympiacos. Walkup is back in action on June 13 in a decisive Game 5 of the Greek League Finals against Panathinaikos who Olympiacos dropped a 93-86 decision to on Thursday in double overtime. Walkup played nearly 39 minutes and finished with 19 points, three assists, one rebound and a steal.
Will Vest, a member of Team USA during the 2026 World Baseball Classic, is in his sixth MLB season and fifth with the Detroit Tigers. Activated from the injury list in mid-May, Vest has totaled 18 strikeouts in 6.0 innings of relief over his past five appearances which includes earning the win against Seattle (6/7), a save over Tampa Bay (6/1) and a hold against the Chicago White Sox (5/29). The Tigers are scheduled for a three-game series against the Astros in Houston on June 15-17 and against the Rangers in Arlington on July 2-5. Detroit's schedule can be found here.
Cody Templeton, recent SFA graduate and a key member of the Lumberjacks' pitching staff over the past two seasons, begins his professional career with the Milwaukee Milkmen of the American Association after signing with the club on May 27. Templeton will wear No. 7 for the Milkmen. Milwaukee is currently in Indiana for a three-game stint with the Gary Southshore RailCats. Templeton returns to his native Texas in late July when the Milkmen meet East Division foe Cleburne Railroaders for a six-game series from July 28 through August 2.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE: Recent Minnesota Vikings draft pick Charles Demmings is currently in mandatory minicamp which runs through Thursday, while the final of three waves of organized team activities is scheduled for June 15-18. John Franklin-Myers, who preps for his eighth NFL season, inked a three-year, $63 million deal with the Tennessee Titans in early March. Franklin-Myers preps in a two-day OTA window beginning Thursday, prior to mandatory minicamp on June 16-17. Xavier Gipson played in seven games across three teams in 2025 and signed to the New York Giants' active roster from the practice squad on January 3. Gipson and the G-Men have concluded OTAs and mandatory minicamps for the summer.
NFL SCHEDULE NOTES: The Vikings and Giants open preseason action on August 15 and Minnesota travels to New Orleans on October 11. The Titans and the Giants meet Week 3; Tennessee plays at Dallas on November 22 and will close out the regular season in Houston. The Giants make two trips to Texas, the first on October 25 for a Week 7 tilt at Houston and on January 3 against NFC East rival Dallas.
FULL 2026 SCHEDULES: VIKINGS | TITANS | GIANTS
FOLLOW THE LUMBERJACKS
For all the latest information on SFA athletics, visit SFAjacks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Lumberjacks on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Thursday, April 23
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