Meet in the middle

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AUBURN | While he not ready to completely commit to a package deal, 5-star defensive end CeCe Jefferson can certainly see an advantage in joining fellow highly-rated recruits at one school.

The Glen St. Mary (Fla.) Baker County standout, rated the nation's No. 2 strongside defensive end was in Auburn this weekend along with a number of other elite prospects including the nation's No. 1 defensive end, Byron Cowart.

"I've never been on a campus with as much talent I was here with this weekend," Jefferson said. "You had some official guys and some unofficial guys. Myself, Martez Ivey, Byron Cowart, Jeffery Holland, just to name a few.

"That's huge. Us four guys, if we were to decide to go to the same place that would be huge ... Signing Day is here. It's crunch time and we're just getting ready for it. Hopefully, we'll bring some good luck to somebody's program."

Jefferson plans to return to Ole Miss next weekend for an unofficial visit and then LSU for an official visit Jan. 30. He may also unofficially visit Florida before Signing Day. He's also still considering Alabama.

He'll likely wait until Signing Day to announce a decision.

Auburn made its pitch this weekend with new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp and cornerbacks coach Travaris Robinson. Both came from Florida and both have built a relationship with Jefferson and his family over the past four years.

Jefferson also has a good relationship with new linebackers coach Lance Thompson who was hired away from Alabama earlier this week.

"That's huge," Jefferson said. "You want to go somewhere where you know. There's knowns and there are unknowns. I have a lot of knowns here. I feel comfortable with these guys. I know how they're going to use me in this defense. I know what they're about. My dad and all them have a good relationship, my parents. It's four hours from where I live. It's not too far away but it's far enough. It's a great place and I definitely wouldn't mind going here.

"The coaches told me I'd be blown away and they didn't lie. Everything they said it was as advertised. I just had a great time. The coaching staff, I just got a family feel with them, they've been recruiting me hard for the past four years and I know what I'm getting if I come here. I know I'm going to be taken care of, surrounded by good players. It's just a good town. It's country like my hometown. It's great."

Jefferson said head coach Gus Malzahn and Auburn's entire staff are planning to visit him Wednesday. They'll continue to sell the idea of signing with Auburn along with the other elite prospects that visited this weekend.

If it happens, Jefferson and Cowart already have a plan to line up at opposite defensive ends and get after opposing quarterbacks.

"Meet in the middle, winner gets a steak," Jefferson said.