Newcomer Dre Massey averaged 26.1 yards per catch a season ago at Holmes (Miss.) Community College. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA staff)
Five Questions With ... Gators WR Dre Massey
Friday, August 12, 2016 | Football, Scott Carter
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The transfer from Holmes (Miss.) Community College adds big-play ability
By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Mauldin (S.C.) High defense was not having the best night as Boiling Springs quarterback Daniel Thompson, brother of former South Carolina quarterback Dylan Thompson, threw for 480 yards and seven touchdowns in the regular-season finale of 2013.
Mauldin quarterback Dre Massey, now a first-year receiver with the Gators, figured he needed to do everything he could if the Mavs were going to win.
"I've got like two plaques off that game,'' Massey said. "Going into the game, we knew it was going to be a shootout, but nothing like that. It was crazy."
What did Massey do? He accounted for 11 touchdowns in Mauldin's 83-70 victory, which earned him a story in USA Today and a mention on ESPN. Massey ran for seven touchdowns, threw for four, and finished with 567 yards of total offense (354 rushing, 213 passing). Massey
Massey's big game garnered interest from several major programs, including home-state South Carolina and Clemson. Massey's academics needed to improve before landing a Division I scholarship, so he went to Holmes (Miss.) Community College.
Massey was recently asked to recall his most memorable moment on a football field. You know his answer.
"I pride myself on that game,'' he said. "I got a lot of coverage. It was right before the playoffs. No overtime. Four quarters. It's a South Carolina state record."
A record that could stand a while. The 5-foot-9, 183-pound Massey was signed by the Gators to add his play-making ability to an offense undergoing a transformation under second-year head coach Jim McElwain.
Here is our Q&A with Massey during preseason camp:
Q: Did former South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, now Florida's ambassador of athletics, recruit you?
A: Coming out of JUCO South Carolina was coming after me pretty much. But this is where the best fit for me is. Spurrier recruited me in high school and junior college. I know Spurrier and I know his son a lot more, actually. Growing up in South Carolina, it's usually Clemson or South Carolina. But everyone has seen Florida and what they are doing. I had an uncle [tight end Norris Brown, 1979-82] who played for Georgia, so I was pretty aware of the Florida-Georgia rivalry. I always was like if I had a chance to go to Florida, I probably would.
Q: How quickly have you acclimated to the Gators' offense?
A: I've acclimated pretty much to the offense and the system. The thing that has stood out is the attention to detail.
Q: One area you know you can help this team immediately?
A: Big plays and what I do with the ball in my hands. I really pride myself on what I can do after the catch. I think I can bring a big difference to this team.
Q: As a newcomer and receiver, would it be easier if there was a veteran starting quarterback already in place?
A: I think a lot of people would probably say it's easier to have a veteran around. That's pretty much what we have in Luke [Del Rio], it's just that he hasn't been able to get out there and play. He has been around so long and knows the offense so well, it's like a veteran out there.
Q: Why the instant respect for Del Rio?
A: It's the way he takes charge. He has confidence in himself. The way he goes about things, he's a guy you've got to respect off the jump.
