Justin Jefferson didn’t need a five-star recruit ranking to become one of the greatest receivers in NFL history. He needed a locker far from his teammates, a chip on his shoulder, and a family that taught him “humble over hype.” From a two-star recruit at LSU to the highest-paid non-quarterback in football, here’s everything you need to know about the Minnesota Vikings superstar.
Age, Height, and Background
Justin Jefferson was born on June 16, 1999, in Destrehan, Louisiana. He is 27 years old.
He stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 195 pounds. Jefferson grew up in a two-parent household with two older brothers, Jordan and Rickey, both of whom played football at LSU. His parents, John and Elaine, were high school sweethearts who both played basketball at Slidell High School in Louisiana.
Jefferson was a late bloomer, physically and athletically. Coming out of Destrehan High School, he was barely on the recruiting radar as a two-star prospect. He joined LSU in 2017 as a legacy recruit, following in his brothers’ footsteps, and was given locker No. 118 far from his teammates with the walk-ons. Some teammates genuinely believed he was a walk-on.
Family: Parents, Brothers, and a Daughter
Parents John and Elaine Jefferson: John played college basketball for Nebraska Western and Northeast Louisiana, while Elaine also played basketball in high school. John worked as a salesman for an industrial supply company. The Jefferson boys grew up playing on a vacant lot next to their childhood home, where their father would join them in makeshift drills. John even tried to buy the lot after his sons moved out because of all the memories it held.
Brothers Jordan and Rickey Jefferson: Justin is the youngest of three. Jordan played quarterback at LSU from 2008-2011, starting 32 games and ranking 10th in program history in passing yards and touchdowns. Rickey played safety at LSU, emerging as a steady performer in his sophomore season. Justin grew up in his brothers’ shadow, which fueled his work ethic.
Daughter Stella: Jefferson has one confirmed child, a daughter named Stella Anastasia, born December 21, 2023, with Andrea Galea, a licensed attorney he met at LSU. A New Jersey family court judge ruled in July 2024 that Jefferson is the father, and the two share joint legal custody. The legal process was marked by personal conflict, with Galea accusing Jefferson of pressuring her to get an abortion.
The “Jets” Alter Ego
Jefferson has a blinged-up alter ego he calls “Jets.” He says the persona emerges when he puts on his chains and diamond grills. “When I start putting these chains on and the teeth in, I start to become ‘Jets,’” he said. His favorite piece is a custom chain with a jet piece that represents the alter ego. The “Jets” persona helps him transform into the show-stopping entertainer whose “Griddy” touchdown dance was imitated across the NFL and added to Fortnite.
Career: From Two-Star Recruit to NFL Superstar
College (LSU): Jefferson’s rise began when LSU hired NFL veteran receivers coach Jerry Sullivan, who saw something in the overlooked recruit. Sullivan was impressed by Jefferson’s feet, quickness, ball skills, and football IQ. By his sophomore year, Jefferson became LSU’s No. 1 receiver. In 2019, he exploded for 111 catches, 1,540 yards, and 18 touchdowns on LSU’s national championship team. He capped his college career with a Peach Bowl record: 14 catches for 227 yards and four touchdowns against Oklahoma.
NFL Draft: Jefferson was selected 22nd overall by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2020 NFL Draft.
NFL Career: Jefferson immediately established himself as one of the league’s elite receivers. In 2022, he was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year. He has been named first-team All-Pro and selected to multiple Pro Bowls.
In October 2025, Jefferson became the youngest player in NFL history to reach 8,000 career receiving yards, surpassing Randy Moss’s record by 168 days. He reached the milestone in 84 games while catching passes from eight different quarterbacks, a testament to his ability to produce regardless of who is under center.
Net Worth and Contract
In June 2024, Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million contract extension with the Vikings, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history at the time. The deal included approximately $88.7 million guaranteed upfront and roughly $110 million guaranteed overall.
His net worth is estimated between $9 million and $15 million, reflecting the difference between his headline contract value and the cash and assets he currently controls. Much of the $140 million sits in future salary payments paid over years. He lives off his endorsement deals and saves his game checks, a habit instilled by his parents.
Endorsements: Jefferson has deals with Under Armour, Courtyard Hotels, Sleep Number, Old Spice, and General Mills’ Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
Cars: He owns a Maybach GLS (estimated $170,000) and a Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe, which he calls his “Batmobile.”
The 2026 Season and Injury
Jefferson entered the 2026 season with 11 catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns through two games. In Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he left the game in the first quarter with an ankle injury. He had two catches for 32 yards before exiting. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Before this injury, Jefferson had not missed a game due to injury since 2023, when a hamstring issue landed him on injured reserve and limited him to 10 games. He played all 17 games in both 2024 and 2025.
The Bottom Line
Justin Jefferson is 27 years old, a father, a son, a brother, and arguably the best receiver in football. He went from a two-star recruit sharing a locker with walk-ons to the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. His family taught him “humble over hype,” and he’s lived by it. Now, as he navigates an ankle injury in 2026, the football world waits to see when “Jets” will return to the field.
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