The Florida Gators could find themselves without a senior defensive leader to begin the 2018 college football season. Senior defensive lineman Cece Jefferson will likely be out of action through preseason camp in August after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder earlier this week, according to The Gainesville Sun's Robbie Andreu. Jefferson sustained the injury in the first half of Florida's Orange and Blue Spring Game on Saturday.

Florida has not confirmed or denied that Jefferson had surgery, however, he was spotted on the Florida campus sporting a brace on his arm, a source told Andreu. The same source also said that the surgical procedure was "significant."

Jefferson led the Gators in tackles for loss in 2017. During his junior season in Gainesville, Jefferson racked up 13.5 tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks. He also finished fourth on the team with 47 tackles, while also adding six quarterback hurries and a pass breakup. The former 247Sports Composite five-star recruit in the class of 2015 was expected to be a key contributor for the Gators next season.

Throughout the spring, Jefferson served as an edge rusher in the 3-4 defensive scheme of new Florida coordinator Todd Grantham. After the first scrimmage of spring practice in early April, Florida head coach Dan Mullen was complimentary of the potential pass rush the team could generate with Jefferson in the lineup.

“Thought we looked pretty athletic rushing the passer in the scrimmage the other day and that was exciting,” he said when posed the question about the pass rush. “If you can do it with your d-line and not have to pressure all the time that helps, because I think we have some good players in the secondary.”

The Gators will have their depth tested if Jefferson is sidelined to begin the season. Experienced junior defensive linemen Jabari Zuniga and Jachai Polite, along with redshirt freshman Zachary Carter and junior Antonneous Clayton, played well throughout the spring.

“You look up front and we have a chance even to have a little depth in pass rushing,” Mullen said. “We’ve gotta continue to develop the depth in the back end. If we have some guys, especially the first teamers, that can cover on the backend, and we can create pressure from the front four, that’s a big help. It causes people to really have to pay attention, not just to scheme your blitzes, but just your pass rush on a regular basis.”

Florida opens the 2018 campaign against Charleston Southern on Sept. 1 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.