5-Star CeCe Jefferson and Other Florida Recruits React to Jim McElwain Hire

Florida entered a new era Thursday when it finalized an agreement with former Colorado State head coach Jim McElwain. Despite success in Fort Collins, it's his former employer who recruits are most familiar with at first glance.

"He's coached under [Nick] Saban, so he has the experience," 5-star defensive end CeCe Jefferson told Bleacher Report.

The coveted Sunshine State standout is one of several prospects who've surveyed a tenuous situation in Gainesville during the past year. With Will Muschamp's star dimming as the 2014 season progressed, plenty of pledges jumped off the bandwagon while others held back commitments to see how things played out.

“When recruits my age were growing up, we saw that team dominate," Gators tight end target Daniel Imatorbhebhe said. "It was Tim Tebow running over people, Percy Harvin making big plays and just a ton of success. That’s not really how guys see the team anymore, and it's probably held them back from picking up some big-time players.”

Credit: 247Sports

So, is McElwain the man who can return Florida to those dominant days?

“I honestly don’t know much about Coach McElwain. I’m not even really sure what he looks like," Imatorbhebhe admitted. "Now that his hire is official, I’m going to start looking into it."

Star Tampa receiver commit Auden Tate was a bit more blunt.

“I’ve never heard of him," he told Luke Stampini of 247Sports (subscription required).

McElwain is a relative mystery man to most Florida prospects. SEC squads don't often cross paths with Mountain West Conference members on the recruiting trail.

Still, everyone respects victories, and those are exactly what he racked up at Colorado State. McElwain collected 18 wins during the past two seasons with a program that managed just 16 in the four years that preceded his arrival.

“I’ve heard that [Florida athletic director] Jeremy Foley doesn’t settle for anything but the best," Imatorbhebhe said. "If that’s the guy they wanted all along, then that means it was probably for a very good reason."

Foley explained the characteristics that drew him to McElwain on the team website.

"He has recruited the South and the state of Florida and has spent time coaching at the highest level in the NFL [with Oakland]," he said. “He has an engaging personality and is someone who can connect with a variety of audiences, and he operates with a high level of integrity."

McElwain's resume includes a four-year stay at Alabama, where he served as offensive coordinator during two national championship runs. Running back Mark Ingram earned the 2009 Heisman Trophy as a centerpiece in his attack, while Trent Richardson emerged as a finalist for the award two years later.

Both became first-round NFL draft selections—a rare feat for today's top college rushers.

Early benefit of the doubt is easier when your track record includes successful work with a legend like Saban, as Jefferson alluded. Recruits aware of his background appear impressed.

”If you’ve done your research on him, he’s a great hire," Florida offensive lineman commit Tyler Jordan told Andrew Spivey of GatorCountry.com. "He’s a good offensive mind who has coached at the highest level before.”

Imatorbhebhe believes his accomplishments as an assistant command respect.

"He had a lot of success at Alabama and helped Saban win championships," he said. "That's pretty strong, and it's definitely a good sign for the Gators."

McElwain must elevate the team's on-field performance to validate the hefty price Florida paid for his services, but first the focus shifts toward a 2015 recruiting class that has fallen apart.

The group rapidly eroded during Muschamp's final campaign and currently includes just nine pledges. It rates 61st nationally in 247Sports' composite class rankings, listed below the likes of Louisiana Tech and San Jose State.

McElwain has two months to turn things around and salvage a successful signing day. His sales pitch should center on an opportunity for recruits to return a proud program to prominence, so the next eight weeks will speak volumes about how high school stars view Florida's new leader.

"We'll see what he's bringing to the table," Jefferson said.

Quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report national recruiting analyst Tyler Donohue unless otherwise noted.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.