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Cece Jefferson, a five-star defensive end who considered nearly half the SEC in the weeks leading up to National Signing Day, finally settled on the University of Florida as his landing spot for next season.
Jefferson chose the Gators over SEC rivals Alabama, Auburn and Ole Miss.
“This recruiting process has been fun but I’m ready to get it over with,” Jefferson said just before announcing his commitment on ESPNU.
Regarded as the No. 2 defensive end in the 2015 class according to the 247Sports industry composite rankings, the 6-foot-2, 275-pound physical freak will co-headline the Florida recruiting class along with five-star offensive tackle Martez Ivey.
Unlike fellow five-star defensive end Byron Cowart, the only defensive end rated higher than him in the year’s class, Jefferson signed his letter of intent for the ESPN cameras, locking him into the Gators 2015 class.
When asked if Cowart and his decision between Auburn and Florida had any impact on Jefferson’s decision, he said “at the end of the day I did what’s best for me.”
Among those who lost the Jefferson sweepstakes, Ole Miss is arguably the team that will suffer most after losing a commitment from top inside linebacker prospect Leo Lewis earlier in the day. Both Alabama and Auburn added four- and five-star prospects to their respective front sevens on signing day.
Jefferson should have an ability to make an immediate impact at Florida, which ranked fifth in the SEC in total defense last season under former head coach and current Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. He’ll join a defense in need of a replacement for star defensive end Dante Fowler, who is expected to be a first round pick in this year’s NFL Draft.
A former newspaper reporter who has roamed the southeastern United States for years covering football and eating way too many barbecue ribs, if there is such a thing.
