"Slimmed down" (250lbs) CeCe Jefferson back to full-time DE?

BMF

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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."

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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."
 

Durty South Swamp

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Im all for moving him back to DE, but 250 is too light even for that. 265-270 with his size and athleticism is what we need on the edge.
 

NavetG8r

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Dang, now he's gonna OWN and DESTROY everyone and jump to the NFL after this season.
:wobble:
 

Thick&ThinG8r

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I personally think it was a must that he play some DT this year but I guess we can forget that. There's nothing worse than watching your team get gutted up the middle. I hope the coaches know something we don't.
 

ergator920103

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He should only play DE in a 4 3 or Strong Side OLB in a 3 4...

He is far too small to play DT. Never understood that move.
 

NVGator

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Aren't we in need for Linebackers? Why not just move him there and be done with it?
 

T REX

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I read on TOS that the front 7 is struggling noticeably so far.

CeCe gains weight, loses weight...someone pick a spot and leave him there to develop please.
 

GatorJB

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Aren't we in need for Linebackers? Why not just move him there and be done with it?

This isn't a bad idea. With his weight at 250, he could be an imposing force as a Mike. The biggest question though is how does he do in pass coverage? They may be keeping him on the line for this reason unless the LB's are looking good and they simply need him at DE. That said, DE is probably his preferred position, which could be why he lost all of that weight. He didn't want to play DT.
 

t-gator

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He came in almost 275. I guess we need all the speed rushers we can get for all these wide open passing attacks we'll face next year. Its not like everyone's trying to play smashmouth football in the sec.
 

TLB

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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."


Wonder what's going thru Cowart's head while he changes position. I don't care, just wondering.
 

BMF

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This isn't a bad idea. With his weight at 250, he could be an imposing force as a Mike. The biggest question though is how does he do in pass coverage? They may be keeping him on the line for this reason unless the LB's are looking good and they simply need him at DE. That said, DE is probably his preferred position, which could be why he lost all of that weight. He didn't want to play DT.

CeCe clearly says, in the article, his plan is to get to 265 by the fall to be more effective along the line. He's not playing LB. We have plenty of 230 pounders to do that.
 

Swamp Donkey

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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.."
Lol, its a confusing plan. He was already undersized to play DE so he lost weight. The truth is he knows whomever strays too far from 240lbs will be drafted to be a terrible DT.
 

Swamp Donkey

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There's nothing worse than watching your team get gutted up the middle. I hope the coaches know something we don't.
To be fair, he was terrible at DT.

The coaches certainly know something we dont, they get paid regardless.
 

Concrete Helmet

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Im all for moving him back to DE, but 250 is too light even for that. 265-270 with his size and athleticism is what we need on the edge.
Agree, 265 would get exploited all day long by the big boys inside and with a lot of inexperience at LB the young guys would get worn out. I would much rather see him at the end spot.
 

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