Jefferson, a Rivals five-star defensive end who announced his commitment to Florida on National Signing Day, still has not sent his National Letter of Intent (NLI) to the Gators.
The reason for the holdup, according to a few Thursday night tweets from Jefferson, is the departure of Gators defensive line coach Terrell Williams, who left for a position with the Miami Dolphins.
I haven't sent in my LOI because someone told me a few days before NSD that williams was leaving,why send it in without being sure ?
— 7 (@cecejeferson7) February 6, 2015 Florida reportedly has Texas defensive line coach Chris Rumph lined up to replace Williams. Despite the uncertainly surrounding his position coach, Jefferson tweeted that he is still a Gator.
Im a Gator my dude! Forget all these rumors that I was paid,my parents disagreed w my decision, all of that..My last tweet is whyi held out
— 7 (@cecejeferson7) February 6, 2015
So to all my haters,It's still Gator Gang!
— 7 (@cecejeferson7) February 6, 2015 Jefferson’s father, Leo, told Rivals on Thursday that his son is not ready to sign the letter of intent. Though Leo has been vocal that he would prefer CeCe to choose another school, he told Rivals that he would be glad to sign his son’s NLI to Florida is that’s what he decides.
“If CeCe wants to go to Florida, we are on board,” Leo said.
Aside from the unfamiliarity with Rumph, Leo wasn’t impressed with CeCe’s in-home visit with new Florida head coach Jim McElwain.
From Rivals:
Leo said that the in-home visit with Gators coach Jim McElwain was rushed, they stayed for an hour and rushed out the door to see a 2016 prospect and only talked about the new dorms and the new facilities on the visit. The visit paled in comparison to the other in home visits, according to Leo.
Leo also wasn’t pleased with the lack of communication from the Florida coaches.
“The coaches at Florida wanted the letter signed by 8:30 (Thursday) morning so they could go on vacation,” Leo said. “(McElwain) was the only head coach of all the ones recruiting him that hasn’t called as of 1 p.m. (Thursday). Coaches from schools CeCe wasn’t listing as finalists have all called, but Florida has not called him.”
Additionally, Leo said he thinks CeCe should “go away from home to grow up and get away from the Gators fans in Baker County and his friends that might distract him.”
Jefferson (and all recruits who have yet to send their NLIs) has until April 1 to sign and send their NLI, so this could play out for quite some time. In addition to Florida, Jefferson’s other listed finalists were Alabama, Auburn and Ole Miss.
For more Florida news, visit InsideTheGators.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Five-star DE CeCe Jefferson still unsigned, tweets 'I'm a Gator'
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