Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson spoke to The Big Lead and Newsweek Sports’ Jay Robinson IV to break down just what makes Louisiana State University so special for wide receivers.
“Four LSU wide receivers here at the Pro Bowl,” Robinson asked the WR in the Pro Bowl locker room. “Is it a foregone conclusion where wide receiver U is?”
“The proof is in the pudding, you know what I’m saying,” Jefferson responded. “To have four Pro Bowlers in the Pro Bowl, what better can— what more can you do?
“You see Malik Nabers and BTJ out here making a lot of plays,” Robinson followed up.”You and [Ja/Marr] Chase being the generation before, and then Odell and Jarvis being the generation before that, have you talked to them about mentoring their games a bit? What advice do you give them?”
Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after a touchdown during the third quarter in the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 07, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. Nic Antaya/Getty Images
“They don’t need no mentoring,” Jefferson said. “All it is, is still being young and still being new to the league, so there’s still things to learn. You know, of course, preparing your body, preparing your mind, all of those things, but as to their game and their skill, you can’t teach that.”
In the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games, four former LSU Tigers played pivotal roles in helping the NFC secure a dominant 76-63 victory over the AFC.
At the forefront was Jefferson, who not only scored a touchdown but also caught six passes for 46 yards.
Reflecting on the win to the post-game press, Jefferson said, “We’re on top for sure. It’s great to see the guys having fun out here, scoring touchdowns, making big plays. That’s what we normally do, so it’s good to see us doing the same thing here.”
Rookie Nabers of the New York Giants was another standout, scoring twice for the NFC. Nabers finished with five receptions for 62 yards, including a key touchdown.
Together, Jefferson and Nabers helped power the NFC’s high-scoring offense in a game that also showcased their LSU roots.
On the defensive side, the NFC sealed the win with two pick-sixes in the second half. Arizona’s Budda Baker and Minnesota’s Byron Murphy delivered the key interceptions, adding defensive flair to the offensive-heavy event.
This allowed coach Eli Manning to extend his winning streak over his brother Peyton, who coached the AFC.
Quarterback Jared Goff also contributed significantly, completing 10 of 11 passes for 126 yards and three touchdowns.
His performance, along with Murphy’s, earned both players MVP honors. Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield added three touchdowns on eight completions, with one of them going to Nabers.
Despite the NFC’s dominance, the AFC had some highlights of its own. Cincinnati’s Chase caught three touchdown passes, including a 45-yarder from Russell Wilson late in the game.
Jacksonville’s Brian Thomas Jr. added two touchdowns for the AFC. After his third score, Chase celebrated with a backflip and then did “the Griddy,” the dance move popularized by his former college teammate, Jefferson.