Getting to Know: CeCe Jefferson
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Five-star defensive end CeCe Jefferson made his short journey to Florida's campus Tuesday morning before the start of orientation, but to him Gainesville is almost like a second home.
A 6-foot-2, 255-pound standout at Glen St. Mary (Fla.) Baker County High School and a UF fan growing up, Jefferson frequently visited the Gators and made the brief drive to Gainesville often throughout his recruitment process. Jefferson eventually committed to Florida over Alabama, Auburn and Ole Miss on National Signing Day to give the Gators a late boost in the 2015 recruiting rankings. After taking his time due to the fact that Florida replaced the Miami Dolphins-bound Terrell Williams with new defensive line coach Chris Rumph after NSD, Jefferson officially faxed in his National Letter of Intent five days after his announcement ceremony.
Despite suffering a shoulder injury in his fourth game of the year that forced him to miss the majority of his senior season of high school, Jefferson eventually finished as the No. 2 defensive end and No. 20 overall player in Rivals' class of 2015 rankings. He projects to make an impact on a Gators front seven that returns plenty of talent this season.
Inside the Gators caught up with Jefferson for the latest segment of our "Getting to Know" series for the incoming 2015 freshmen signees.
What led to your decision to attend the University of Florida?
Jefferson: Man, I'm not going to lie. I've always been a Gator ever since I was a kid. It's something I grew up wanting to be, watching games with my dad. It was always exciting for me having that imagination of being a Gator. But as I got older, I got the chance to go on campus and go to a few games. Just being around the players and stuff, that just sealed the deal for me. But I knew ever since I was a kid.
How do the coaches envision your role on the team moving forward?
Jefferson: They said I could do everything. I could go from outside to inside to outside linebacker. They said I'm too versatile to play just one position. I'll be looking to move around a lot. I'm just excited.
What aspects of your game are you aiming to polish this summer and fall?
Jefferson: I'm going to be honest with you. I want to improve on anything that they say I need to improve on, because right now I honestly don't know. You know that all players think that they don't have that big of flaws, until the coach has to see you and critique you. So until they do that and point out my errors, that's just how I feel.
What would you say is your greatest strength as a football player?
Jefferson: It's probably my ability to learn. I'm a very coachable player, so if Coach wants it done a certain way, I'm going to do it until it's the way that he wants it.
How would you describe your relationship so far with some of the guys in the class of 2015?
Jefferson: I'm pretty cool with those guys, because most of them were already committed before signing day. So I had that relationship with those guys by them trying to recruit me to come play with them. But Martez Ivey and Jordan Scarlett, those are my boys. Me and Scarlett actually roomed together at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, and we had pretty good conversations, you know what I'm saying? Me and Martez, we actually met - I want to say we met at Florida one day and we just hit it from there. We've just stayed clicking ever since.
Do you know yet what jersey number you plan on wearing?
Jefferson: I don't even know, man. I guess I'll have to take what they have available, because I don't know all of the numbers that they have available. I'll get all of that settled Tuesday.
Do you know yet who you're dorming with?
Jefferson: I think I'll find that all out Tuesday.
If it weren't for Florida, where would you have signed?
Jefferson: Honestly, I don't even know. I can't even answer that. I would have found a way to get to Florida. I would have probably made bad grades and go JUCO just so I could get to Florida (laughs). That's how serious I am about the college. That's how badly I want to be there.
Have you decided on a college major yet?
Jefferson: I kind of have the idea of sports management, but once I get there and get my hands in a few things, that may change. But for right now, sports management.
If you could play any team at home in the Swamp who would it be?
Jefferson: It would probably be FSU. We do have them at home this year, so I am looking forward to that game. Just because of how big the rivalry is, and everybody loves that game. It's probably one of the most watched rivalry games in college football. We always give them our best game and they always give us their best game. That's the one I'm looking forward to the most and the one I'm most excited about.
Do you used to have any superstitions or rituals in your personal life before your high school football games?
Jefferson: I actually did. We used to get off the bus at my high school right by - we called it the "cathouse." It's like the little locker room at the field. There was always this one spot I used to stand in the whole time. I don't know why. They would come in and let the skill players go out first to warm up. They'd come get the punters and all that, and we'd still be in there. I would not move out of that one spot. I don't know why I did that. That's kind of weird.
Which NFL team is your favorite?
Jefferson: I would probably say the Miami Dolphins, because I love their all-white uniform concept. I love it. They're going to be sick this year. With Ndamukong Suh and Cameron Wake, oh my god. They're going to be good up front.
If you were to eventually become a first-round NFL draft choice, what is the first thing you would buy?
Jefferson: I would buy a house for my mother and father.
If you could play with any former college athlete, who would it be and why?
Jefferson: I've got a couple. Jadeveon Clowney, Timmy Jernigan or Dominique Easley, because those guys are so good and they demand so much attention that I could probably just squeak by untouched and just make plays. Those guys are such a dominant force and were at the college level or still are at the NFL level. Those guys are a few to name.
Who is your favorite athlete outside of football?
Jefferson: Oh, definitely the king, man. LeBron James, hands down. He's a boss. If he had his starting lineup, there's no question who would have won the title this past season.
What's your favorite genre of music to listen to?
Jefferson: If I had to pick, I'd pick rap, but I'm not that big of a picker. I like music that fits the mood, if you know what I'm saying. I'd pretty much listen to anything. It depends what the mood is.
What is your favorite TV show?
Jefferson: "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."
What is your favorite movie?
Jefferson: "Paid in Full."
Name one thing you can't live without.
Jefferson: Ruby Red grapefruit juice. I could drink that with anything. I love grapefruit juice.
Are you going to drink that where you're on the sidelines this season?
Jefferson: If they allow me to, you'll see me picking up a freaking gallon of it, chugging it to the head.
Which celebrity would you most want to trade places with for one day?
Jefferson: Oh my gosh, Floyd "Money" Mayweather. I lied - LeBron's not my favorite athlete outside of football, it's him. I don't know what I was thinking. Just the way he carries himself and how confident he is in himself about what he is, that's just awesome. Plus, he's filthy rich. He could probably have any woman he wanted in the world.
If you could go out with any female celebrity on a dream date, who would she be?
Jefferson: I love Serena Williams. Serena Williams, if you ever run across this article sweetie, just give me one chance. That's all I want. She's so much woman to handle. My reason why is because I love Serena Williams. I can't even go into detail.
What is on your bucket list? Name three things you want to do before dying.
Jefferson: I would want to win a national championship in college and an NFL championship so I can go meet the president, I would want to go skydiving, and probably take Serena Williams on a date.
You're pushing pretty hard for that dream date to happen, I see.
Jefferson: I think it could happen, because I was on Twitter and Khloe Kardashian tweeted about the new episode of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians." She tweeted, "Who's ready for the new episode?" and I tweeted, "I am, boo." She quoted it and was like, "Wooohooo." I'm so excited she read it. I about fainted. I thought somebody was playing with me. I was so happy that I screenshotted that thing, and I look at it every day.