<\/p>\n
Former Clovis West WR Relando Jefferson stretches out but is unable to come up with a catch in the first half of their game against Edison at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Clovis on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025.<\/p>\n
CRAIG KOHLRUSS<\/p>\n
ckohlruss@fresnobee.com<\/p>\n
Relando Jefferson wanted one thing before his senior season at Central East.<\/p>\n
He wanted certainty.<\/p>\n
The standout wide receiver committed to Fresno State before the start of the 2026 high school football season, saying he wanted to feel secure about his future.<\/p>\n
After taking his official visit in June, he didn\u2019t have to look far for the right fit.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I got there, I felt like they actually wanted me,\u201d Jefferson said. \u201cI didn\u2019t feel like I was just going to be another number on the roster. It felt like family.\u201d<\/p>\n
That feeling ultimately led Jefferson to choose the Bulldogs over offers from Arizona, BYU, Cal Poly, Colorado State, Northern Arizona, Oregon State, UNLV and Washington State.<\/p>\n
A key factor in the decision was Bulldogs wide receivers coach DelVon Hardaway, whose relationship with Jefferson helped seal the commitment.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe took me into his office and we had a good talk,\u201d Jefferson said. \u201cI was like, \u2018It\u2019s time.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Jefferson enters his senior season coming off a productive 2025 campaign in which he totaled 508 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in just seven games at Clovis West. He since transferred to Central East.<\/p>\n
He is also the son of former Edison High standout Rolando Jefferson, a former four-star recruit.<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs\u2019 2026 recruiting class will also include Clovis West receiver AJ Williams, who committed shortly before Jefferson.<\/p>\n
Before making his announcement, Jefferson said Williams checked in to see where he stood.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe asked me what I was thinking and if I liked it,\u201d Jefferson said. \u201cI told him, \u2018Yeah, bro.\u2019 Then he said, \u2018I committed.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Jefferson will spend one more season catching passes alongside Central East teammate Bayon Harris (Fresno State commit), giving Bulldogs fans a preview of what the future could look like in Fresno.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re literally going to be playing Friday nights, and we\u2019re on the same side,\u201d Jefferson said. \u201cPlaying together on a big stage this season and then on an even bigger stage at Fresno State is awesome. I can\u2019t wait to see that happen, but I\u2019m looking forward to this season.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although he wanted to lock in his college decision before his senior year, Jefferson said he never felt pressured to commit early.<\/p>\n
Instead, he waited until he found the program that felt right.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to make sure I had a team that truly wanted me,\u201d Jefferson said. \u201cI wasn\u2019t rushing it. It was a decision I wanted to make because of how the coaches made me feel and because of my future.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked what Fresno State fans can expect when he arrives, Jefferson kept his answer simple:<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re getting a good hustler,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ll do whatever it takes to make the team better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Related Stories from Fresno Bee<\/p>\n
Anthony Galaviz<\/a><\/p>\n The Fresno Bee<\/p>\n Anthony Galaviz writes about sports for The Fresno Bee. He covers the Las Vegas Raiders, high schools, boxing, MMA and junior colleges. He\u2019s been with The Bee since 1997 and attended Fresno City College before graduating from Fresno State with a major in journalism and a minor in criminology.\u00a0
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