Polite’s effort earns starting spot over seasoned veteran

There were some surprises when the Florida Gators released the first depth chart of the season to say the least. Few more surprising than senior Cece Jefferson’s name not appearing on the list of first-team players.

The Preseason All-SEC selection has battled with a shoulder injury since the spring and wore a non-contact jersey throughout fall camp, so that likely played a role. But in reality, it shouldn’t come as a shock that junior Jachai Polite earned the nod for the Gators at the BUCK position for Week 1.

The fact of the matter is that Polite gave the effort Florida’s coaches were looking for and it paid off in the end.

“He’s had a great camp,” said head coach Dan Mullen. “I mean, he’s had a great training camp. He’s worked his tail off, and you know, it’s the effort you give on the field.”

His teammates echoed that same message over the last few weeks when talking about him.

The Gators started an award called “the juice guy” during fall camp, which was given to the defensive player who brought the most energy in each practice. They said Polite won it the most of anyone on the team.

When asked who the most improved player was from last year to this year, most players said Polite without hesitation.

“He works hard, works harder than anybody else,” said defensive tackle T.J. Slaton. “He believes that he’s the best and that he’s going to be the best. He’s not going to let anybody outwork him.”

Many likely associate Polite with the viral hustle play he made to come all the way from the backfield to tackle speedy running back John Kelly 29 yards up the field in last year’s Tennessee game.

Those kinds of plays could be something to expect on a regular basis this season. He played in just seven games a year ago due to a season-ending injury, but assuming he stays healthy, this will be his best opportunity to make a name for himself since he arrived at Florida.

That play was no fluke. It was just a preview of what is to come.

Slaton has great confidence in that. He reminisced back to a play early in fall camp when the quarterback rolled all the way out after starting on the far hash and Polite chased him down from the opposite side of the field to record a sack.

That’s when he knew without a doubt that Polite had something special.

“He’s going to be a first-rounder,” Slaton said. “He has the best close out of anybody on this team, anybody on our defense. He closes the best. He’s really quick on his feet, light and he can run from any side of the field.”

While it feels a bit odd that Jefferson won’t be on the field for the first snaps of his senior season, the words of the coaching staff and the team on Polite say everything there is to know.

He could very well be on the way to his breakout season in 2018.

“He’s just got that swag about himself,” said junior safety Jeawon Taylor. “He feels like nobody can block him, and he’s telling the truth. Nobody can block him.”

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.