Cece Jefferson, Martez Ivey returning to Florida is great news for Gators

Football

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Image Credit: AP

It’s not a stretch to say that two of the Florida Gators‘ best players deciding to return to the program rather than declare for the 2018 NFL Draft is a massive win for head coach Dan Mullen. That’s exactly what happened this week as juniors defensive end Cece Jefferson and offensive tackle Martez Ivey announced they will remain in Gainesville, Florida, for their final year of eligibility.

“Senior Year about to be one to remember!” Jefferson tweeted Wednesday. “Road to Atlanta! Go Gators!”

“It’s only right to finish what I started with my brothers,” wrote Ivey on Thursday. “1 more year. Go gators.”

For what it’s worth, redshirt junior tight end C’yontai Lewis tweeted Wednesday that he “left a lot of money out there” with his decision to come back for his fifth year. “That jus means I gotta go extra hard this year,” he added.

The returns of Jefferson and Ivey are crucial for a Florida team that needs veteran leadership — and talent — next season under a new coach. It also means the Gators’ representation in this year’s draft should be not decimate the team with only junior defensive tackle Taven Bryan, junior wide receiver Antonio Callaway and redshirt junior kicker Eddy Pineiro choosing not to use the rest of their eligibility.

Junior running back Jordan Scarlett, who like Callaway was suspended for the entire 2017 season due to credit card fraud, has not announced his intentions at this time.