Oklahoma football notebook: Tony Jefferson won't divulge NFL Draft grade

“Yeah, I got it,” Jefferson said. “But I'm not talking about the grade.”

Was he happy with the grade?

“It was cool,” he responded.

ESPN.com currently ranks Jefferson as the fifth-best 2013 safety prospect. Draft analyst Mel Kiper, Jr., has said Jefferson could possibly sneak into the first round.

Jefferson led Oklahoma with 113 tackles through the 2012 regular season and is preparing for Friday's Cotton Bowl against Texas A&M. He's played much of the season on a bum ankle, which he sprained in OU's Sept. 8 win over Florida A&M, and said the month between the Sooners' regular-season finale and the Cotton Bowl has been helpful.

“You know, you get a high ankle sprain, it takes about six-to-eight weeks to heal,” Jefferson said. “I didn't really get a chance to do it because we had a game every week. But it's not about being injured and stuff. You've gotta fight through those type of things.”

Jefferson is one of four OU juniors — along with Aaron Colvin, Trey Millard and Kenny Stills — giving serious consideration to the 2013 draft.

HEUPEL REFLECTS ON 2000 A&M WIN

Josh Heupel led Oklahoma to the 2000 national championship as its quarterback, finishing second in that season's Heisman Trophy balloting.

Among the most memorable games that season was Nov. 11 at Texas A&M, a team Heupel meets in Friday's Cotton Bowl Classic as OU's co-offensive coordinator.