Jefferson remains positive despite injury
CeCe Jefferson had it all planned out.
First, he would play his senior season for Glen St. Mary (Fla.) Baker County, hopefully leading his teammates to a deep state playoff run. Then, after the season he would take his official visits and decide where he would attend college.
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Then came the unexpected.
Three games into his final high school season, on the fourth play of that game, he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury that would require surgery.
"When it happened and they told me I needed surgery, that hurt," the 6-foot-2, 245-pound Jefferson said. "But God does everything for a reason, and unlike a lot of people in my situation, I have the blessing of having something to look forward to (playing college football) in the future."
Jefferson is a five-star defensive end - ranked No. 2 in the country at his position and No. 12 overall - who is one of the most coveted prospects in the country. His future includes playing football at a major college program and, as long as everything goes as planned, a career at the next level.
While at first the reality that Jefferson couldn't play his senior season cut him deep, he's turned his situation into a positive. He can't be on the field, but he's on the sideline communicating with his teammates.
"I've always loved coaching," he said. "After I can't play this game, coaching will be the next thing I do. I love passing on my knowledge to someone else to see if they can succeed."
As Jefferson hones his coaching skills, his plans in the recruiting game have changed. Instead of waiting until the end of the season to take official visits, he plans on making his first to Ole Miss two weeks from now, when the Rebels play Alabama on Oct. 11.
He's heavily considering both programs, which is why he chose this game.
"Those are two teams high on my list," he said.
Jefferson has never been to Oxford, but has been to Tuscaloosa twice for camps - once as a freshman, the other time this offseason. The Tide offered him as a freshman, while the Rebels offered him as a sophomore.
Ole Miss has proven with top prospects like Robert Nkemdiche that it will play true freshman and put them in situations to make an immediate impact.
"Every high school player's dream is to make it to the next level and make an immediate impact," Jefferson said. "No one wants to sit for a year, and if I think I'm better than the guy in front of me, I should play. At Ole Miss, the better guy gets to play."
Jefferson said Alabama has offered him the same possibility of playing time early.
"They play true freshman too," he said. "Coach Saban and coach (Lance Thompson) tell me that I can make an immediate impact, so that's why I like them."
Jefferson said he also plans on taking an official visit to Alabama for its game against Texas A&M on Oct. 18.
"What I like about (the Crimson Tide) is they have tradition," Jefferson said. "Players coming into the program have expectations and you can't let the school down. Tradition is a big thing there. I love to win and they play true freshman."
Jefferson can play in college just about anywhere he chooses and he grew up a fan of the Florida Gators. Despite the questionable state of the current Gators, Jefferson is keeping them in mind.
"First of all, Florida will be in it," Jefferson said, referring to his final decision. "They're 45 minutes to an hour from my house, so that's cool. My parents can see me and I would have tons of support from my family and the community. I love Florida and I grew up a fan. It's a great school."
Being Jefferson's hometown team, the current Gators staff has built a natural relationship.
"I've built an incredible bond with them," Jefferson said.
It's no secret the Gators current staff, led by Will Muschamp is on the hot seat. There's a strong possibility if the Gators don't produce on the field Muschamp and his staff will be fired, which will force Jefferson and all prospects considering the Gators to take a step back.
"For them to leave would be big," Jefferson said. "If they're not there, I would feel like every other prospect and you don't want to go in there blind."
When asked if the firing of Muschamp and his staff may lead to the possibility of a high-profile coach being hired to run the program, Jefferson took a grounded approach.
"It would be nice for the Gators fans but they don't have to play for them," Jefferson said. "A big name is cool, and the fans will look at the accolades and all that, but they don't have to wake up at 6 a.m. and go to work like I do.
"I like to have a bond with my coaches. I like to know them personally."
Jefferson has a basic outline of what will lead to his final decision.
"First of all, I want stability," he said. "I have no favorites. I want to go somewhere where I have to compete. I want to work, I want to be around good people and I want a good education."
Jefferson plans to announce his decision on National Signing Day.
Adam Krohn is a Southeast Region football recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. You can click here to follow him on Twitter.