Van Jefferson hauled in a season-high 92 receiving yards in the win at FSU. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA Communications)
Receivers Jefferson, Grimes Proved Their Value
Monday, November 26, 2018 | Football, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – During their offseason of uncertainty, Florida receivers Van Jefferson and Trevon Grimes prepared as if they would be eligible to play in 2018, spending countless hours working overtime with quarterback Feleipe Franks to develop a connection.
The only certainty during the duo's first six months at UF was that if the NCAA ruled each could play immediately after transferring – Jefferson from Ole Miss and Grimes from Ohio State – they would make Dan Mullen's mission to improve the Gators' offense much easier.
A redshirt junior, Jefferson brought 91 career receptions with him from Ole Miss, where he earned All-SEC Freshman honors in 2016. As for Grimes, a former five-star recruit out of St. Thomas Aquinas High in Fort Lauderdale, what he lacked in experience following a shortened season at Ohio State was offset by the enormous potential in his 6-foot-5, 210-pound frame.
In the end, no one in Mullen's first recruiting class other than perhaps kicker Evan McPherson or defensive back Trey Dean played a more important role in Florida's turnaround from 4-7 to 9-3.
Jefferson finished the regular season by leading the Gators in catches (31), receiving yards (439) and touchdown receptions (6), the first UF receiver to catch at least six touchdowns in a season since Solomon Patton in 2013. Meanwhile, Grimes was second on the team with 366 receiving yards on 25 catches as a dangerous option off the bench.
In Saturday's 41-14 win at Florida State, Jefferson and Grimes were at their best. Jefferson had four receptions for a season-high 92 yards and Grimes added a career-high five catches for 118 yards, also a career best.
Mullen told them to be ready after watching FSU on film. The Seminoles' scheme is based on stuffing the box with safety help.
"They were going to try to stop the run,'' Mullen said. "The good thing about that is if you can get through, there's nobody left on the back end when they're playing a lot of zero coverage. That's when you get to have your explosive plays."
Jefferson and Grimes took advantage, combining for nine catches, 210 yards and two touchdowns.
An injury to junior starting receiver Tyrie Cleveland in the first quarter Saturday opened the door for more playing time for Trevon Grimes. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA Communications)
Their first big play came four plays after fellow receiver Tyrie Cleveland, who started ahead of Grimes all season, suffered a broken collarbone on a deep ball thrown his way. Cleveland landed hard on his right shoulder and immediately headed to the locker room with 3:40 to play in the first quarter and no score.
On second-and-6 from UF's 43, Franks threw a pass deep across the middle that Jefferson stretched out for to make a highlight-reel catch. The 39-yard gain led to McPherson's 27-yard field goal on the final play of the quarter.
"At the beginning of the week, Coach Mullen puts up the keys to victory of the game. One of the things he put up was perimeter: win the perimeter,'' Jefferson said. "The receivers came out and did a great job winning our one-on-one battles."
With the Gators leading 10-0 in the second quarter, it was Grimes' turn.
On first-and-10 from UF's 37, Franks connected with Grimes deep down the middle for a 54-yard pass. The drive ended with another McPherson field goal. Grimes added a 16-yard reception on Florida's opening series of the second half, a 12-play, 75-yard drive that ended with Franks throwing a 3-yard touchdown to Josh Hammond.
Later in the third quarter, Florida leading 20-7, Jachai Polite sacked FSU quarterback Deondre Francois and forced a fumble, which was recovered by Cece Jefferson. On the next play, Franks hit Grimes for a 22-yard touchdown.
That's when Jefferson knew the Gators had FSU on the ropes.
"Tre beats man-to-man coverage every week,'' Jefferson said. "We knew when Tyrie went down that he would step up and make the plays he needed to make.
"It was great to see him go out there and see the game he had. Everybody knew in that room what he was capable of. I was so excited for him. I told him on the sideline, 'Man, I'm so proud of you. Keep it going and go into the bowl game.' "
The touchdown was the first for Grimes since the season opener when he scored Florida's first touchdown under Mullen with a 34-yard catch-and-run score.
While Jefferson, Hammond and Cleveland started every game, Grimes continued to stay after practice all season to work on his route running and catching the ball. Cleveland's injury opened the door for extended playing time.
Trevon Grimes caught five passes for a career-best 118 yards on Saturday. (Photo: Allison Curry/UAA Communications)
"Tre has done a great job of just being patient,'' Franks said. "I told him when you get your opportunity, just take advantage of it no matter when it is -- last of the season, first game of the season. It doesn't matter."
Said Mullen: "He had to go play a whole bunch of reps. He had some one-on-one matchups and took advantage of them. He has good size, really good hands, and you see the player he can become for us."
Jefferson struck again on the first play of the fourth quarter.
On first-and-15 from FSU's 38, Jefferson broke wide open behind the Seminoles' secondary for an easy touchdown and 34-14 Gators lead.
"I'm supposed to run seven steps and cross inside his face, but we never discussed, like, taking it over top. When I saw that he came inside and I just gave him a one, two and went over top. When I came back to the sideline, I thought I was going to get in trouble with [receivers coach Billy Gonzales], but Coach was happy. When they called the play, I knew I had it. It was me and the safety one-on-one."
In the Gators' most important win of the season, one that snapped FSU's five-game winning streak in the rivalry, Jefferson and Grimes shined.
They imagined days like Saturday when both opted to sign with the Gators to continue their careers.
"I just knew Coach Mullen was going to come in and change culture of the team,'' Jefferson said. "I just bought into his program and what his things were. Now, you just see it's brewing success."
