Jeffrey Persi has entered the transfer portal, and his parents are over the moon with excitement. They’re thrilled about the new opportunities ahead for their son and fully support his decision.
Jeffrey Persi becomes the fifth lineman to depart from Grant Newsome’s group this offseason, joining senior Dominick Giudice, graduate Raheem Anderson, redshirt junior Andrew Gentry, and senior Tristan Bounds.
Highlights
- In the early days, Jeffrey Persi was a devoted Trojans fan, and his father, Jeff, was a USC die-hard fan.
- After playing for three semesters and two seasons at powerhouse Mater Dei High School, Jeff and his father felt it was best for him to transfer.
- Stephanie, Persi’s mother, always fully supports her son and shows it whenever he’s on the field.
Despite these departures, U-M has bolstered its position through the transfer portal, although many of the new additions will need to prove they can handle the increased competition.
This includes Division II national champion Lawrence Hattar and Cal Poly All-American Brady Norton.
While Persi’s departure is surreal, since he was considered a strong contender to start at one of the tackle spots or contribute in other ways, there may be an upside.
It’s possible that he sensed U-M’s growing interest in a potential 5-star freshman recruit.
Jeffrey Persi Spent Childhood Days With Sister Lauren Under The Parental Wings Of Jeff And Stephanie Persi
Growing up in Southern California, Persi, 23, was a devoted Trojans fan, and his father, Jeff, was a USC die-hard.
When one of the greatest players in the program’s history offered to coach him, especially in the position he excelled in, it was an opportunity Persi couldn’t pass up.
It was a big moment for him, and he quickly switched to a new position.
The move from tight end to tackle wasn’t easy, and Persi openly admitted how challenging the transition was. He made plenty of mistakes but took it all in stride.
With the support of his parents, Jeff and Stephanie, Persi considered every option.
For him, academics came first, and when it came to football, the Big Ten and Michigan’s rich history stood out.
He felt honored to have the chance to play for a program built by so many great players before him and hoped to live up to their legacy.
Persi was clear from the start that he wanted to commit early. He never seemed too interested in the recruiting process, so his decision to commit quickly wasn’t surprising.
After playing for three semesters and two seasons at powerhouse Mater Dei High School, Jeff and his father felt it was best for him to transfer.
They decided he would join Trinity League rival JSerra Catholic High School to play for Coach Pat Harlow.
Persi’s father frequently shares his son’s accomplishments on Facebook, proudly showcasing his achievements to friends and family.
Stephanie, Persi’s mother, always fully supports her son and shows it whenever he’s on the field.
No matter the game or the situation, she proudly wears Michigan blue, a sign of her support for Jeff.
He grew up with his sister Lauren, who attended Mater Dei High School. She studied Chemistry at the Dominican University of California.
Additional Information
- He played two games as a freshman, including the Big Ten championship win over Iowa.
- In his junior year of 2022, he appeared in all 14 games, and in 2023, he played all 15 games, with five of those being on the offensive line.
- He also served as a sixth lineman in jumbo packages during the rivalry games against Michigan State and Ohio State.
- He was a key member of the offensive line that won the Joe Moore Award in 2022. He’s also been recognized as an Academic All-Big Ten three times, earning the honor in 2021, 2022, and 2024.
