Leading via intangibles

Senior Jefferson’s maturity a motivator for Gators teammates

GAINESVILLE — There’s a myth CeCe Jefferson likes to spread. The legend goes that he scored a touchdown during a blowout of then-No. 3 Ole Miss in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Oct. 3, 2015.

The stat box won’t show it. It’ll show he recorded one tackle and a fumble recovery against the Rebels. It won’t show that he snatched that fumble out of the air with one hand while fending off an Ole Miss lineman with the other. It won’t show that, based on the replay, he was demonstrably down near the 1-yard line.

Still, the legend continues, Jefferson’s mind.

“I scored,” he claims. “The ref said otherwise, but I think I scored.”

He recalled the play in an instant when asked for his favorite memory during his four years at UF. It was his fifth game in a Gator uniform and his fourth in the Swamp.

He registered more total tackles every year entering this season.

Jefferson has steadily improved throughout his college career, posting a career high 13.5 tackles for a loss last season as a junior.

But Jefferson’s impact is more intangible than that. His teammates cite his maturity and other leadership qualities as a key spark for the Gators’ defensive efforts.

Life has changed for Jefferson since the arrival of his son, Luke.

Jefferson and his girlfriend welcomed Luke to their family on Aug. 11, 2015. She was about two months pregnant with couple’s child when Jefferson committed to Florida. The birth of his son threw into sharp focus how Jefferson should act moving forward.

“Just having [Luke] as a constant reminder every day to keep me on the straight and narrow path, it made me mature a lot faster,” Jefferson said. “I’m thankful for him.”

Life with his son has made it easier for Jefferson to take on a mentor role with the Gators. He referred to the UF defenders as “my defense” after an epic six-play goalline stand against Georgia on Oct. 27.

He’s known to teammates as “Uncle Carl,” referring to both Jefferson’s birth name and his tendency to prefer a night in as opposed to hitting up the Gainesville bar scene.

“Coming into my senior year, I kind of at least in realized that, having my son, I can’t really do those things that I used to do,” Jefferson said. “It won’t only affect me, it’ll affect him.

“The guys’ll ask me to step out now, and I’m just like, ‘Nah man... I’m just gonna chill here, play a little video games, watch a little TV.' You know? I’m kinda the uncle of the team, the old uncle now.”

He laughed at his description of his elder alter ego until he seemed to realize the accuracy of it.

“But I embrace my role. Uncle Perfect fit,” Jefferson said.

Luke Jefferson has never known his dad as anything other than a Gators football player. This April, he could know his dad as a professional football player. Jefferson figures to be a mid-round selection in the upcoming NFL draft. He could’ve declared after the Gators’ substandard finish last season. But that didn’t sit right with Jefferson. “I didn’t wanna go out 4-7,” he said. “I knew about coach Mullen’s résumé, his past here, and I just trusted it.”

Jefferson’s senior campaign didn’t begin as expected. Saturday would’ve been his 23rd home game had he not been suspended the first two weeks of the season for unsatisfactory academic performance over the summer. He said the suspension and the resulting emotions it left him with were just the latest catalyst in his maturation process.

“You’ve gotta cherish every moment you get to run out that tunnel and enter the Swamp,” he said. “You gotta be accountable in every situation. That’s just a part of being a man, and that’s what this game teaches you.”

Jefferson said his son, parents, sisters, niece and nephew will be in attendance when he plays his 21st — and final — game at Ben Hill Griffin Saturday against Idaho. Jefferson and 19 other seniors on the team will be honored before kickoff on the field.

The normally charismatic and calm leader of the UF defense said he won’t be able to hide his emotions as he races onto Gators’ home field for the last time.

“Overflow of tears,” Jefferson said. “I’m gonna get pretty messy. I might just leave my helmet on and run down with my head down.” Carl.