5-star DE Jefferson chooses to stay in-state, commits to Florida

Published Feb. 4, 2015 2:50 p.m. ET

foxsports

Consensus five-star recruit and standout defensive end CeCe Jefferson (Glen St. Mary, Fla.) has committed to Florida.

The 6-foot-2, 275-pound pass rusher selected the Gators over a laundry list of impressive suitors. Alabama, Florida State, Auburn, Ole Miss, and LSU were other finalists for Jefferson's sizable talents, with the Rebels considered the clubhouse favorite until moments before his announcement.

In those moments, Jefferson kept Gators fans guessing. 247Sports captured the star recruit walking to his announcement wearing LSU gear. But in the end, it was a false alarm for those in Gainesville.

Jefferson was the second five-star prospect head coach Jim McElwain landed on National Signing Day. Fellow Floridian Martez Ivey, a 6-foot-5 offensive tackle, also decided to stay close to home.

The Gators will seek to put Jefferson's explosiveness to use. Although he missed most of his senior season and the US. Army All-American Bowl with a shoulder injury, Jefferson racked up multiple double-digit sack seasons as a high schooler.