Trevon Grimes scored the first touchdown of the Dan Mullen era on a 34-yard screen pass. (Photo: Matt Stamey/UAA Communications)
Instant Impact: Grimes, Jefferson Catch On Fast for Gators
Sunday, September 2, 2018 | Football
Share:
By: Ethan Hughes, FloridaGators.com Intern
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a mostly satisfying season opener for the Florida Gators and their fans, a pair of transfer receivers provided the first sparks of a new era.
Jefferson, from Brentwood, Tenn., started his career at Ole Miss. After redshirting in 2015, he caught 91 passes for 999 yards and four touchdowns over the 2016 and 2017 seasons. With the Rebels suffering from NCAA sanctions, he saw greener pastures at UF, with a bevy of young talent on offense and a highly regarded coaching staff led by Mullen. He arrived on campus for spring practice in January and began building a rapport with the Gators quarterbacks.
Grimes, a four-star recruit out of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, signed with Ohio State in 2017. He appeared in two games and caught three passes for 20 yards. Due to a family issue, he left the Buckeyes and returned home, finishing classes online. He decided to transfer to UF because it would allow him to be closer to home while also competing at the highest level of college football. He also enrolled in January and went through the entire offseason program.
As transfers, Jefferson and Grimes were subject to the NCAA's mandatory sit-out rule. Both filed waivers for immediate eligibility with the NCAA, using their extenuating circumstances as the basis for their arguments. On Aug. 2, it was announced that both were cleared to play by the NCAA. As an interconference transfer, Jefferson needed further clearance by the SEC office. A couple of weeks later, the final barrier was removed when the SEC accepted his waiver for instant eligibility.
Their clearance was one of the hottest topics of training camp, with Jefferson practicing extensively with the first unit and Grimes appearing poised for a large role as well. Still, potential doesn't always carry over from paper and the practice fields into games for various reasons. So, many eyes were on them as they played their first game in orange and blue.
While it remains to be seen if Jefferson and Grimes can consistently produce all season, in Florida's 53-6 defeat of Charleston Southern in the Swamp on Saturday night, they showed up, showed out and got out.
"My first touchdown in the Swamp, it was electric," Jefferson said. "I hope for many more."
Receiver Van Jefferson caught two touchdown passes in his first game for the Gators. (Photo: Ashley Williams/UAA Communications)
Grimes (3 receptions, 50 yards) will forever have the distinction of being the first player to score a touchdown for Mullen at UF. A little more than two minutes into the game, he caught a screen pass from Franks (16 of 24, 219 yards, 5 TDs), picked up an excellent block from redshirt senior tight end R.J. Raymond and raced down the sideline for a 34-yard touchdown. It was also his first career scoring grab.
"That's probably up on the list of my most memorable moments," he said. "My first catch in the Swamp with 90,000 people watching me is a touchdown, so I really didn't know what to do when I got into the end zone. I was just so excited. Our coach usually tell us, 'Hand the ball to the ref,' but I was just so filled with emotion that I threw the ball in the air and did a little celebration."
Meanwhile, Jefferson (4 catches, 34 yards) found the end zone twice in the second quarter on a pair of slants from Franks. The second score, a 3-yarder, came with a Buccaneers defender draped all over him.
"Really just a one-on-one situation," he said. "Just make sure I lock the DB's hips and get in front of him. Me and Feleipe work on that countless times in practice, so it was just showing in the game. He did a great job placing the ball, and I think I did a pretty good job on locking the DB's hips. Probably could've did a little bit better, but I'll get that corrected this week."
Neither played in the second half with the game in hand.
"I think we've got some big tall guys in the red zone that are quick as well, so we're not always running a fade ball," Franks said. "I think they both had tremendous days."
While the duo put up some impressive statistics against the outmanned Buccaneers, there is room for improvement. Jefferson could've – and probably should've – had a third score. Sandwiched in between his scores was a fade thrown in his direction in the front right corner of the end zone. He had the ball in his hands. Rather than pulling the ball into his chest to secure the touchdown, he kept his arms extended, which allowed CSU defender Jonathan Slaton to knock the ball away. The Gators scored on the next play, a 6-yard strike from Franks to junior receiver Josh Hammond.
"We're all just scratching the surface," Franks said. "We've got a long way to go to where everybody can reach their full potential."
It was an impressive debut, but the competition is about to get ramped up. Conference play begins next Saturday when the Gators host Kentucky at 7:30.
"With Kentucky coming in, it will be more physical," Jefferson said. "Got to play smarter. Having bigger DBs, DBs that are up there to your caliber, so I think now we just got to focus on the details, and Coach [Billy] Gonzales does a great job of that during the week, so we'll be OK.
"Monday, come back to work and focus on what we have to do. Kentucky's a great team, and we just have to prepare for them like any other team. We just got to dial in and get to work."
There's a long way to go, but Saturday night represented a positive first step as a pair of transfer receivers try to transform UF's offense.
Florida Football | Sean Kelley, Coach Sumrall, Coach Spurrier, and Coach MeyerFlorida Football | Sean Kelley, Coach Sumrall, Coach Spurrier, and Coach Meyer
Friday, December 12
Florida Football | Head Coach Jon Sumrall Sits Down with Gator Greats Steve Spurrier and Urban MeyerFlorida Football | Head Coach Jon Sumrall Sits Down with Gator Greats Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer
Friday, December 12
Florida Football | Urban Meyer & Nick Saban Interview | 2025 NFF Annual Awards DinnerFlorida Football | Urban Meyer & Nick Saban Interview | 2025 NFF Annual Awards Dinner
Wednesday, December 10
Coach Meyer and Coach Saban - Hall of Fame 12-09-25Coach Meyer and Coach Saban - Hall of Fame 12-09-25
