Van Jefferson is headed to Los Angeles after the Rams took him in the second round of the NFL Draft. (Photo: Piper Hansen/UAA Communications)
NFL Draft: Jefferson Headed to Rams, Selected in Second Round
Friday, April 24, 2020 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Receiver Van Jefferson arrived at Florida prior to the 2018 season viewed as a boost to the offense in head coach Dan Mullen's first season.
He delivered and worked his way into a second-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Rams, who used the 57th overall pick in the NFL Draft on Friday night to select Jefferson. He is the highest-drafted Gators receiver since Percy Harvin went to Minnesota in the first round (22nd overall) in 2009.
In a video he posted on social media shortly after the pick, Jefferson spoke directly to Rams fans.
"I'm so excited to be a part of this organization,'' he said. "I'm grateful for the opportunity and I can't wait to get to work. Let's go Rams."
Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay views Jefferson as a player who can line up on the inside or outside and make plays.
"I think Van really provides the opportunity to play all three spots," McVay told reporters. "I think he's a really polished route-runner."
A fifth-year senior in 2019, Jefferson led the Gators with 49 catches and a team-high 657 yards, including six touchdowns. He finished his college career -- two seasons at Ole Miss and two at Florida -- with 175 receptions for 2,159 yards and 16 touchdowns.
He played an instrumental role in Florida's resurgence the past two seasons under Mullen, helping the Gators win 21 of 26 games in his two seasons.
"When I think of Van, I think of smooth,'' Gators receivers coach Billy Gonzales said. "I've had a chance to watch him work his routes, technique and craft. A guy that can work his craft, set a guy up, get a little wiggle out of them and then come out of his break. His ability to transition is special. Van is a competitor. He does not let anyone dictate to him, he dictates to them."
In his two seasons with the Gators, Jefferson, known for his precise route-running and solid hands, caught 84 passes for 1,160 yards and 12 touchdowns. He joins a high-powered Rams offense led by quarterback Jared Goff, the first overall pick of the 2016 draft out of California. In a draft deep in receivers, Jefferson was the 12th wideout off the board.
"Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp both finished with more than 1,100 receiving yards last season, but the Rams traded Brandin Cooks to Houston, plus Josh Reynolds is entering a contract year and has yet to catch more than 29 passes in a season,'' ESPN.com draft analyst Steve Muench wrote. "Jefferson's ability to make an immediate impact fills the Rams' need for a No. 3 receiver and gives quarterback Jared Goff a reliable safety valve."
Jefferson is no stranger to what it takes to succeed in the NFL, a trait that was evident to his teammates at Florida who often followed his lead at practice. Jefferson is the son of former NFL receiver Shawn Jefferson, now the receivers coach of the New York Jets.
"This kid is a technician in the game of football,'' NFL Network analyst and Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin said.
He delivered and worked his way into a second-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Rams, who used the 57th overall pick in the NFL Draft on Friday night to select Jefferson. He is the highest-drafted Gators receiver since Percy Harvin went to Minnesota in the first round (22nd overall) in 2009.
In a video he posted on social media shortly after the pick, Jefferson spoke directly to Rams fans.
"I'm so excited to be a part of this organization,'' he said. "I'm grateful for the opportunity and I can't wait to get to work. Let's go Rams."
Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay views Jefferson as a player who can line up on the inside or outside and make plays.
"I think Van really provides the opportunity to play all three spots," McVay told reporters. "I think he's a really polished route-runner."
A fifth-year senior in 2019, Jefferson led the Gators with 49 catches and a team-high 657 yards, including six touchdowns. He finished his college career -- two seasons at Ole Miss and two at Florida -- with 175 receptions for 2,159 yards and 16 touchdowns.
He played an instrumental role in Florida's resurgence the past two seasons under Mullen, helping the Gators win 21 of 26 games in his two seasons.
"When I think of Van, I think of smooth,'' Gators receivers coach Billy Gonzales said. "I've had a chance to watch him work his routes, technique and craft. A guy that can work his craft, set a guy up, get a little wiggle out of them and then come out of his break. His ability to transition is special. Van is a competitor. He does not let anyone dictate to him, he dictates to them."
A weapon for the offense.
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) April 25, 2020
Let's get it, @VanJefferson12! pic.twitter.com/iyji0aGqUG
In his two seasons with the Gators, Jefferson, known for his precise route-running and solid hands, caught 84 passes for 1,160 yards and 12 touchdowns. He joins a high-powered Rams offense led by quarterback Jared Goff, the first overall pick of the 2016 draft out of California. In a draft deep in receivers, Jefferson was the 12th wideout off the board.
"Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp both finished with more than 1,100 receiving yards last season, but the Rams traded Brandin Cooks to Houston, plus Josh Reynolds is entering a contract year and has yet to catch more than 29 passes in a season,'' ESPN.com draft analyst Steve Muench wrote. "Jefferson's ability to make an immediate impact fills the Rams' need for a No. 3 receiver and gives quarterback Jared Goff a reliable safety valve."
Jefferson is no stranger to what it takes to succeed in the NFL, a trait that was evident to his teammates at Florida who often followed his lead at practice. Jefferson is the son of former NFL receiver Shawn Jefferson, now the receivers coach of the New York Jets.
"This kid is a technician in the game of football,'' NFL Network analyst and Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin said.
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