Jefferson expected back after shoulder surgery

UF senior defensive end CeCe Jefferson injured his right shoulder during last weekend’s spring game and had surgery earlier this week, a source confirmed.

Expected to thrive in the Gators’ new 3-4 defensive alignment, Jefferson will spend the coming months rehabilitating his shoulder but is expected to return in time for preseason practice in early August.

The Gainesville Sun’s Robbie Andreu first reported Jefferson’s surgery.

The 6-foot-1, 242-pound Jefferson led UF with 13.5 tackles for loss (4.5 sacks) last year. But the native of Glen St. Mary, an hour north of Gainesville, has just 9.5 sacks in three seasons after arriving as the top pass rusher in the 2015 class.

Jefferson could shine in new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham’s aggressive scheme. First, Jefferson must get healthy.

Jefferson injured his shoulder early during his senior season in 2014 at Baker County High School, where he was a three-time All-State performer prior to the injury.

Jefferson signed with UF the following February as a five-star recruit and was one of the plums of former coach Jim McElwain’s first recruiting classes.

Even if Jefferson does not return on time, the Gators still have a number of pass rushers to step in, including Jabari Zuniga, Jachai Polite and Antonneous Clayton. Clayton posted a team-best two sacks during the spring game.