Lean, mean pass-rushing machines: Florida’s 5-star defensive ends are ready to live up to the hype
By Andrew Olson
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In his first recruiting classes at Florida, Jim McElwain has developed a reputation of finding and developing under-the-radar talent. He’s signed some blue-chippers here and there, but his classes haven’t been the parade of 5-star prospects people are used to seeing at Alabama or Florida State. One position where McElwain did seem to land top prospects was defensive end.
Arguably the biggest name to sign with the Gators in McElwain’s first class was Cece Jefferson. He was rated a few spots behind OL Martez Ivey on the 247Sports Composite, but with a fierce battle on the trail with Ole Miss, and some drama surrounding his Letter of Intent, Jefferson became arguably the most high-profile signee of the class. The former 5-star defensive end has contributed throughout his two years at Florida, but he only made six starts as a sophomore.
Florida’s defensive coaches have struggled to settle on a spot for Jefferson. In 2015, the freshman was brought in as an edge-rusher, using his unique combination of size, speed and strength to push his way past offensive tackles. Following the departure of Jonathan Bullard, however, the coaches tried moving Jefferson inside last season. While learning a second position, the first-string depth chart was settled on a front four of DE Bryan Cox Jr., DT Caleb Brantley, NT Joey Ivie and DE Jordan Sherit.
With Brantley, Cox and Ivie gone, it’s clear that Jefferson will figure prominently in this year’s defensive line. Where, however, is still not 100 percent clear. Jefferson feels that after dropping 25 pounds, he’s best fit for the outside.
“To be honest, I feel more comfortable either or,” he said. “But how my body is right now, I think it’s best for me to stay out. Pass rushing is fun, setting the edge is fun and I just enjoy it. I’m willing to do whatever to make this team better.”
McElwain still sees Jefferson playing inside and outside.
“Just depends on what package and what down and distance. I think you’re going to see both,” the coach said. “He’s a guy that we need to get into matchup situations, whether it’s on a tackle that we want to try to work the 1-on-1s with or if it’s on a guard away from a slide side, if we can dictate that. But he’s a guy that’s gotta be able to play it all.
“He’s another guy that I think … he just loves to play. He’s not too cool for school. This guy loves to play. He’s so much fun to have on the team. Just his energy and his day-to-day approach is really good. He continues to get better.”
One reason the Gators might line up Jefferson as a 3-technique tackle is to get DE Antonneous Clayton, the highest-rated signee of UF’s 2016 class, on the field. The No. 26 overall recruit in the country played in five games as a freshman, learning the hard way that he was too small for battling with SEC offensive linemen in the trenches. One could say he’s done the opposite of Jefferson to find the right playing weight.
“Coming in at 215 (pounds), I (didn’t have) that SEC body that I wanted to have,” Clayton said. “I was highly ranked, but when I got here those stars didn’t mean nothing. I still had a huge learning curve. I had to get (my weight) up. Right now, I’m 250.”
For Clayton, it’s been important to put that weight on the right way. He wanted the strength that comes with bulking up, but he did not want to sacrifice his speed. Clayton says he feels as a fast as ever.
“The nutrition program helped me gain weight and the right weight,” he said. “It’s not like my belly’s sticking out. I’m more agile. I’m able to move at 245. It’s great. I feel as if I was still 215. The reason I know it’s not bad weight is because I don’t feel any slower than when I first came in.”
With that mix of size and speed, Jefferson predicts Clayton is ready for a breakout season.
“I’ve seen that guy from the time he got here, he’s just been dedicated to putting on weight,” Jefferson said. “That’s something that he wanted to do. You can definitely see a change for the better for him. He’s going to turn heads this year.”
For Clayton, he sees his second year as just the beginning of a productive career.
“I’m still learning as of right now. I’m just a sophomore,” he said. “It’s going to be a pretty good two years after this season. I’m looking forward to it.”
Whether it’s Clayton, Jefferson or last year’s sack leader, DE Jabari Zuniga, defensive line coach Chris Rumph is just looking for a pass-rusher to establish themselves.
“I hope we get a guy capable of rushing the passer so we can do that and we don’t have to blitz as much as we had to before,” Rumph said. “But all that will come along. We’ll get it.”
Now that they’re both at the right weight, Jefferson and Clayton both appear ready to fill that role.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
