- Sep 8, 2014
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I like this move. He's lost weight and was already WAY, WAY too small to be playing DT. Now he's about the size of a typical Alabama LB, at 6'1 250lbs.
I hope this means the DT group we have is doing well....or it's just that CeCe is too small?
http://florida.247sports.com/Bolt/Sleeker-Jefferson-ready-to-become-matchup-nightmare-51930405
Sleeker Jefferson ready to become matchup nightmare
A slimmed-down CeCe Jefferson is transitioning back to playing more defensive end, which could help him make the jump many have been expecting from him.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Lean and bulk. Lean and bulk. That's the plan for Florida defensive lineman CeCe Jefferson, who packed on some weight last year as the coaches tried to get him more reps inside at tackle.
Now Jefferson's transitioning back to playing more off the edge. So he has dropped weight and is down to a slim 250 this spring.
"I lost about 25 pounds. My belly used to hang over my jersey, I couldn’t be on TV looking all fat," Jefferson said with a laugh. "I definitely make a transition with my body and I feel better, but I want to add a few more pounds, get some more muscle, and just get ready for this season."
What's next for the Gators? Make sure you're in the loop -- take five seconds to sign up for our FREE Gators newsletter now!
The goal is to add weight and get up to about 265 pounds before the season. At that weight, Jefferson should be able to hold his own as a powerful rusher, but it'll also help him get off the line of scrimmage a bit quicker than he was able to last year, when he played closer to 280 pounds.
Florida will be looking for Jefferson to take the next step heading into the fall. With three starters gone on the defensive line, new defensive coordinator Randy Shannon is looking for someone who can create headaches for opponents.
The Gators want to pressure with four whenever possible to help cover for personnel losses at linebacker and in the secondary, but someone has to emerge as an elite pass-rushing threat for that to happen.
Jefferson could be that guy as a versatile threat the coaches can move around up front.
"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," coach Jim McElwain said. "But he’s a guy that’s got to 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."
Two years into his career, Jefferson's itching to be the focus up front. A former five-star prospect, he put together a terrific freshman season but his play flat-lined a bit as he made the move inside in 2016.
He needs to get back on track and make that jump he's capable of. To be the guy that opposing teams stay up late at night trying to figure out how to stop.
"That’s what I’ve wanted. I want people to game plan around me," Jefferson said. "Because that’s going to open it up for somebody else. That next week when they game plan for them, it’ll open it up for me. That’s something that I look forward to, because obviously I’m doing something right if they’re game-planning against me."
Jefferson has been one of three standouts on the defensive line this spring, along with tackles Taven Bryan and Khairi Clark.
He's ready to continue being that guy, so the younger players have someone to look up to as they try to emulate him and take the next step.
"I’m kind of a lead by example type of guy," Jefferson said. "I’m not the rah rah guy that’s going to try to get everybody pumped up. I’m going to try to lead by my actions and play. That’ll definitely be my leadership role going into this season."
I hope this means the DT group we have is doing well....or it's just that CeCe is too small?
http://florida.247sports.com/Bolt/Sleeker-Jefferson-ready-to-become-matchup-nightmare-51930405
Sleeker Jefferson ready to become matchup nightmare
A slimmed-down CeCe Jefferson is transitioning back to playing more defensive end, which could help him make the jump many have been expecting from him.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Lean and bulk. Lean and bulk. That's the plan for Florida defensive lineman CeCe Jefferson, who packed on some weight last year as the coaches tried to get him more reps inside at tackle.
Now Jefferson's transitioning back to playing more off the edge. So he has dropped weight and is down to a slim 250 this spring.
"I lost about 25 pounds. My belly used to hang over my jersey, I couldn’t be on TV looking all fat," Jefferson said with a laugh. "I definitely make a transition with my body and I feel better, but I want to add a few more pounds, get some more muscle, and just get ready for this season."
What's next for the Gators? Make sure you're in the loop -- take five seconds to sign up for our FREE Gators newsletter now!
The goal is to add weight and get up to about 265 pounds before the season. At that weight, Jefferson should be able to hold his own as a powerful rusher, but it'll also help him get off the line of scrimmage a bit quicker than he was able to last year, when he played closer to 280 pounds.
Florida will be looking for Jefferson to take the next step heading into the fall. With three starters gone on the defensive line, new defensive coordinator Randy Shannon is looking for someone who can create headaches for opponents.
The Gators want to pressure with four whenever possible to help cover for personnel losses at linebacker and in the secondary, but someone has to emerge as an elite pass-rushing threat for that to happen.
Jefferson could be that guy as a versatile threat the coaches can move around up front.
"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," coach Jim McElwain said. "But he’s a guy that’s got to 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."
Two years into his career, Jefferson's itching to be the focus up front. A former five-star prospect, he put together a terrific freshman season but his play flat-lined a bit as he made the move inside in 2016.
He needs to get back on track and make that jump he's capable of. To be the guy that opposing teams stay up late at night trying to figure out how to stop.
"That’s what I’ve wanted. I want people to game plan around me," Jefferson said. "Because that’s going to open it up for somebody else. That next week when they game plan for them, it’ll open it up for me. That’s something that I look forward to, because obviously I’m doing something right if they’re game-planning against me."
Jefferson has been one of three standouts on the defensive line this spring, along with tackles Taven Bryan and Khairi Clark.
He's ready to continue being that guy, so the younger players have someone to look up to as they try to emulate him and take the next step.
"I’m kind of a lead by example type of guy," Jefferson said. "I’m not the rah rah guy that’s going to try to get everybody pumped up. I’m going to try to lead by my actions and play. That’ll definitely be my leadership role going into this season."