Cece Jefferson transforming his body for new responsibilities
By Andrew Olson
Published:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — It didn’t take long for Cece Jefferson, a five-star recruit, to excite Gators fans. Even though it was just a cupcake opener (New Mexico State), the effortlessness with which Jefferson moved an offensive tackle out of his way showed everyone that he had a special mix of size, speed and strength.
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That special mix led to 3.5 sacks off the bench as a freshman. With Alex McCalister gone — Florida’s sack leader from last year with 6.5 — Jefferson would be the obvious choice to replace him at defensive end. Florida coaches, however, are asking Jefferson to work at defensive tackle this fall, but don’t assume he’s abandoning defensive end altogether.
“I actually play end and defensive tackle depending on what personnel we are in,” Jefferson said. “But it’s something the team needed and something I didn’t mind doing. You know sometimes you have to make sacrifices and I love these guys enough make that sacrifice.”
The team sees potential for Jefferson to anchor the interior along with DT Caleb Brantley. For Jefferson, there’s one big new challenge.
“I would say the most challenging aspect is the double teams. The double teams, man,” Jefferson said. “You know, that’s 300 pounds, 300 pounds coming down on you, you know what I’m saying? And it ain’t fun. It ain’t fun. That is probably the most challenging thing for me. I feel like I’ve come along to read the blocks better.”
To work through those double teams, Jefferson is radically changing his body. He’s lost about 30 pounds since signing day 2015.
“Yeah, I was a juicy little kid,” Jefferson said. “I definitely lost a lot of fat. I am trying to build it up with muscle and start looking like Jonathan Bullard around here.”
Bullard is the model for what the coaches are trying to do with Jefferson – turn a talented edge rusher into a total package run-stopper and pass-rusher. After losing all that weight, Jefferson is trying to bulk up the right way, but it’s not easy.
“I’m definitely going to gain some more weight,” Jefferson said. “Our nutritionist has me on this nutrition plan and it’s helping me out. But the way we practice, I have no choice but to lose 5-6 pounds per practice because we are so fast-paced and everything. But she is getting me right.”
Adding lean muscle would give Jefferson the size to battle in the trenches while still maintaining one valuable trait – his quickness.
“The double teams can be tough sometimes, but I feel like it’s easier than the outside. I feel like I’m quicker than most guards, so I have that advantage over them pass-rush wise,” said Jefferson, who weighs 265 pounds.
“The way our linebackers play, once I get that double team, I don’t have to hold it long because Jarrad Davis is flying through the hole to try and kill somebody. I know one of the two guys will come off of me to get him. That definitely makes my job easier.”
If Jefferson can handle the double teams, the Gators’ pass rush shouldn’t skip a beat in 2016.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaign of Fred Taylor.
