re: Class of 2015 Recruiting MEGATHREAD - Twilight Edition

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AlabamaINTEL recently spoke with Baker County head coach Tom MacPherson about the recent activity of CeCe Jefferson’s recruitment. Coach MacPherson shared his thoughts and has very good things to say about Alabama’s chances with signing his star defensive end.

Of note, originally, Coach Tosh Lupoi was set up to visit CeCe Jefferson on Tuesday night. That meeting was rescheduled and will now take place either Thursday or Saturday.

Coach MacPherson on how it affected the 6-2 275-ponder when Coach Thompson left Alabama for Auburn:

“I don’t think it hurt Alabama’s chances at all, but I do think it added another team in the mix with Auburn.”

The Baker County head coach then detailed his thoughts on the recent hiring of new outside linebacker Tosh Lupoi and his star pupil’s thoughts on his hiring by Nick Saban.

“CeCe really likes coach Lupoi. His high energy and his knowledge of the game is something that blew CeCe away. CeCe thought it was a great hire.”

The coach revealed the mindset of his star pupil and family at this point in the process was about making a sound business decision for Jefferson and his future. He added that this was a good thing for the Alabama staff since Saban is “all about business.”

Recently, the rumor has been that Jefferson, linebacker Jeffery Holland and defensive end Byron Cowart would all play together on the college level. MacPherson expounded on that topic with INTEL:

“I don’t necessarily think that is the case,” the coach candidly admitted. “CeCe wants to have some fireworks with his final decision. Since that was said it takes the attention off of Alabama and if CeCe were to pick Alabama it would shock a lot of people.”

A lot of people have been critical of the way CeCe has handled his recruitment. His high school coach does not see it that way:

“I think CeCe is going about his recruitment the right way,” the coach explained. He is an eighteen year old kid who is having fun while he can and taking full advantage of this opportunity.

“I do not blame him,” the coach continued. “I wish I had the same opportunities as him, but not many people do.”

MacPherson on how big a factor immediate playing time could play in Jefferson’s ultimate decision on signing day:

“I think it does, but I also think that Alabama has been selling that to him,” MacPherson stated. “At the end of the day, yes, playing time does play a role, but CeCe and his family know this is a business decision and Alabama’s track record with getting players to the league has been seen by CeCe and his family.”

The gist of the situation is that Alabama is VERY likely in the top two with Jefferson at this point in the process. The intrigue is who is the other school. Is it Ole Miss or the long-time assumed favorite Florida Gators. The next 7 days will be very interesting to watch as Tosh Lupoi attempts to reel in his first big fish as member of the Crimson Tide family…stay tuned…RTR!

****Additional Note: CeCe Jefferson’s father was a teammate of Alabama defensive line coach Bo Davis at Copiah-Lincoln Community College and the two remain very close friends.

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