The Gators handed out two receiver offers on Wednesday and one of those lucky receivers was Van Jefferson (6-1, 166, Brentwood, TN Ravenwood) who talked to receiver coach Joker Phillips when he received the offer.
“I talked to Coach [Joker] Phillips on the phone and he offered me a scholarship to Florida,” Jefferson said. “He was just telling me that I was a good receiver that would fit great at Florida and that he just wanted to give me the offer. It was an exciting offer to have.”
Jefferson may play high school football in Tennessee but he’s actually a native of Florida which makes the Gators offer even more special to him.
“I have a lot of interest because I was born in Jacksonville, Florida, so I always wanted that Florida offer,” Jefferson said. “Being born in Florida and having family still there it makes me real interested in Florida. I know my family is really happy about the offer and they were excited. I can’t wait to get down there and see the campus for myself.”
Not only is the Florida offer a big one because of where he’s from but he also like the offense that Kurt Roper has brought to Florida.
“I definitely feel like Coach [Kurt] Roper’s offense fits me well and I think I could go down there and compete for a spot,” Jefferson said. “I’m a competitive guy and I feel like my skill set fits the spread offense great. Coach Phillips said I could play outside or inside. I would like to win a starting spot and help them win another national championship.”
With the school year coming to an end in the next month or so Jefferson plans to return home to Jacksonville to visit with family and also check out the campus in Gainesville.
“I plan to visit Florida this summer when I go back home to Jacksonville,” Jefferson said. “I actually may make down to Florida this spring if I have an open weekend but I will definitely visit this summer.”
The process of selecting a school is tough for every player but Jefferson is a mid-year graduate so he knows that his timeline is a little shorter than most prospects.
“I’m pretty open but I’m an early enrollee guy so I have to narrow things down pretty soon,” Jefferson said. “I’m going to go visit some schools this spring and summer and I want to make my decision sometime this summer.”