The Florida Gators had coaches in six different states recruiting this weekend during the bye week.
Receivers coach Chris Leak was in Tennessee where he watched Georgia receiver commit Van Jefferson (6-2, 175) Brentwood, TN Ravenwood) play and also talked to the receiver’s father.
“Coach Leak was at my game on Friday,” Jefferson said. “It went well, I wasn’t able to talk to him that much but I was glad to see him out there. I did pretty well for him but I was happy that he was there. Coach Leak spent most of the game with my dad just talking it up with him.”
Before Jefferson committed to Georgia, communication between the Gators and Jefferson were slim but that has since picked up in a big way.
“I talk to Florida pretty much on a daily basis,” Jefferson said. “I either talk to Coach [Will] Muschamp or Coach Leak daily. Coach Muschamp tells me that he needs playmakers and guys like me. He says that I can be one of those guys for him but I just love Coach Muschamp because he’s a straight up guy and he’s just a cool guy.”
Jefferson grew up in the Jacksonville area and still has family there now and he remembers Chris Leak from his quarterback days.
“I remember Coach Leak from his days at Florida and winning that championship at Florida and now he’s the receiver coach there,” Jefferson said. “I talk to him a good bit and it’s always good talking with him. Me being from Florida it’s cool to talk to him as a coach now.”
Florida’s offense is still looking for more playmakers at the receiver position and that’s something that Jefferson sees as an advantage to him.
“Coach Muschamp hasn’t told me how he sees me fitting but that he just needs playmakers,” Jefferson said. “He said that he isn’t going to promise anything or any playing time but that I have to come in and work hard to earn it. I know with out a doubt though that I can come in and start from day one.”
Despite his commitment Jefferson says he hears from two other schools as he tries to set up some official visits.
“Florida and Ohio State are the only two schools that I keep in contact with besides Georgia,” Jefferson said. “Right now me and my dad are talking to about taking some visits. I got to get on the phone with Coach Muschamp and talk to him about it and go from there.”
One thing is for sure and that is that Jefferson doesn’t have a lot of time to waste as his enrolling date is in January instead of June like other prospects.
“I’m an early enrollee so I have to make a quick decision,” Jefferson said. “I’m just taking it one day at a time and seeing how things go. I’m going to continue to pray about and see where God wants me to be.”
INSIDERS TAKE: I think Florida has a great shot here with Jefferson if they can get on him a visit. Jefferson knows that he can play early at Florida and that’s something that he’s unsure about with Georgia. I know Chris Leak has made Jefferson a priority and that’s something the receiver likes a lot.