Cedric Jeffries Class: Senior Hometown: Egg Harbor Township, N.J. High School: Egg Harbor Twp. Height / Weight: 6-2 / 205 Position: Saf Experience: SR H.S. Coach: Tony DeRosa

The departure of All-Big Ten safety Anthony Scirrotto has provided Cedric Jeffries with at least two opportunities entering this season. In addition to an increased chance of significant playing time at Hero (strong safety), Jeffries changed his jersey to the No. 7 that fellow New Jersey native Scirrotto effectively wore the past four seasons. Jeffries has played in all 26 games the past two seasons and continues to make good progress in his bid for more significant playing time on defense. With the graduation of all four secondary starters, Jeffries should have an opportunity to become a bigger contributor this fall. He and Andrew Dailey battled for the first unit's Hero position during spring practice and they will resume their competition in preseason. Jeffries has good size, skills and speed and has spent some time at outside linebacker during his career. The former Egg Harbor Township HS standout is a good athlete with the desire and instincts to emerge as a bigger contributor this season. He is one of nine returning Nittany Lions from New Jersey.

2008 Junior Season
Jeffries battled Drew Astorino for the No. 2 spot at free safety behind All-Big Ten senior Anthony Scirrotto. Playing in every game on defense and special teams, he recorded 16 tackles (eight solo). He made a career-best three stops each in the wins at Syracuse and Wisconsin. He also made two tackles each against Coastal Carolina, Oregon State and Indiana. Jeffries was on the field for 221 plays, topped by 37 snaps against Temple and 32 at Syracuse.

2007 Sophomore Season
In his first season on the field, Jeffries played in all 13 games on defense and special teams. A reserve safety, he made four tackles, with two stops against Florida International and two against Buffalo. Jeffries saw action on 154 snaps, led by 20 in the victory over Wisconsin and 16 against Buffalo and Iowa.

2006 Freshman Season
Redshirt season.

High School
Jeffries was a three-sport standout at Egg Harbor Township HS. Playing for Coach Tony DeRosa, he earned Philadelphia Inquirer All-South Jersey second-team honors. He also was the defensive captain. As a senior, he made 15 catches for 350 yards and four touchdowns and recorded 65 tackles, with three interceptions and 15 pass breakups. Along with current teammate Brett Brackett, Jeffries was named to the Super 100 all-state team and helped New Jersey to a 30-6 win over New York in the Governor's Bowl. Jeffries also was a team captain for the basketball and track and field squads.

Personal
Full name is Cedric Wendell Jeffries. He is the son of Cedric and Gwen Jeffries and has an older brother, Raymond Boyd, and two sisters, Alexa and Candice. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball and video games. He is a telecommunications major. Born November 25, 1987 in Somers Point, N.J.