Cece Jefferson embracing a bigger role in 2016

Cece Jefferson was the prized recruit of the Florida Gators’ 2015 class. As one of the most highly rated players in the country, the former five-star recruit lived up to the hype in his first season as a Gator. Jefferson recorded 29 total tackles, with 8.5 tackles for lost yards, and 3.5 sacks as a freshman.

He has played a lot of downs for the Gators as he heads into his sophomore season, but he will be taking on a much bigger role in 2016. He and Caleb Brantley will have to combine to be what Jonathan Bullard was the last few seasons.

Jefferson has now been asked to take on even more responsibility by playing at the three-technique defensive tackle spot as well as defensive end. Bullard was asked to do the same thing his sophomore year and was a bit hesitant to accept it. Jefferson, on the other hand, has completely embraced his new work load.

“It’s something the team needed, it’s something I didn’t mind doing,” he said. “Sometimes you’ve gotta make sacrifices and I love these guys enough to make that sacrifice.”

The only thing that could hold Jefferson back at his new position is his weight. Right now he is listed at 261, but said he is actually currently 265. He is still not yet where he needs to be. Jefferson said he lost around 30 pounds at one point, but he is now working to gain that weight back.

“I was a juicy little kid. I definitely lost a lot of fat,” Jefferson said. “I am trying to build it up with muscle and start looking like Jonathan Bullard around here.”

He is on a nutrition plan now, which he said has helped a lot with his weight gain. Jefferson has set a lofty goal for himself and is hoping to be between 275-280 by the start of the season.

“You get those big, big guys leaning on you, especially on the double teams, that is a little bit of a concern and yet he’s done an unbelievable job with his quickness and ability to split some of those double teams and learning,” head coach Jim McElwain said.

McElwain is a little concerned that Jefferson does not have the size to be a typical SEC defensive tackle, but he is not worried about Jefferson struggling to compete inside. “The one unique thing with him is the natural strength he has,” McElwain said. “He’s got some real natural strength and suddenness that helps him on the inside.”

Jefferson agreed that the toughest thing about playing the three-technique so far has been the double teams. “That’s 300 pounds, 300 pounds coming down on you,” he said. “It ain’t fun. That is probably the most challenging for me.”

He was one of the Gators’ top pass rushers last season, so it was surprising to hear him say playing inside has been easier for him than playing outside. “I feel like it’s easier than the outside,” said Jefferson. “I feel like I’m quicker than most guards, so I have that advantage over them pass rush-wise.”

Another thing that keeps Jefferson confident about his new position is the support he gets from Florida’s linebackers. “The way our linebackers play, once I get that double-team I know that I don’t have to hold it long, because Jarrad Davis is flying through that hole coming to kill somebody,” he said. “I know one of the two guys has gotta come off of me and account for him, so he definitely makes my job a little easier.”

Jefferson has had an opportunity to look up to and learn from some of the best in his time at Florida in Bullard and Brantley. “I got to watch the best last year and I get to watch the best this year first hand,” said Jefferson.

Veteran players like Brantley, Bryan Cox, and Joey Ivie, have been leaders to him and now he is trying to pass on some leadership of his own down to the freshmen. “Myself and the older guys, we’ll notice a mistake and we’ll just wait for them to come on the sideline and just get in their ear about it,” he said. “The next time they go out, it’s fixed.”

Jefferson said he has learned the defense inside and out this year and now he is more prepared than ever to be a game changer for the Gators.

Bailiegh Carlton
A lifelong sports fan, Bailiegh Carlton knew from a young age that she wanted to work in sports in some capacity. Before transferring to the University of Florida to study journalism, she played softball at Gulf Coast State College. She then interned for Gator Country for three years as she worked toward her degree. After graduation, Bailiegh decided to explore other opportunities in the world of sports, but all roads led her right back here. In her time away, she and her husband welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world. When she isn't working, she can almost always be found snuggled up with sweet baby Ridley, Cody and her four fur babies.