In his first season at the helm, Dan Mullen revitalized a Florida offense that seemed to lack an identity under former head coach Jim McElwain.
Quarterback Feleipe Franks thrived in Mullen’s run-dominant spread offense and UF’s wide receivers reaped the benefits.
Redshirt senior Van Jefferson will be returning for his second season at Florida after transferring from Ole Miss in 2018. He started all 13 games last year and led all Florida receivers in receptions (35), receiving yards (503) and touchdowns (6).
Jefferson’s career-high six touchdowns were more than he scored in three seasons at Ole Miss combined (4).
Senior Josh Hammond, who started alongside Jefferson last season, will be back for another season as well. Hammond recorded 28 catches, 369 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns during the 2018-19 campaign.
Under McElwain, Hammond posted a combined 32 receptions, 423 recieving yards and zero receiving touchdowns in two years.
Senior Tyrie Cleveland is another receiver set to return for the upcoming season. He posted 18 receptions for 212 yards and three touchdowns as Mullen’s primary slot receiver before injuring his shoulder against Florida State in the regular season finale.
Cleveland also made his presence felt on special teams, where he recorded five tackles as a gunner during punts.
Junior Trevon Grimes showed flashes last season and has the potential to break out in 2019 due to his catch radius and rapport with Franks, who was also his roommate.
The 6-foot-5 receiver caught three balls for 50 yards and one touchdown in his debut against Charleston Southern and had five receptions for 118 yards and a score in the regular season finale against FSU.
Grimes, however, was inconsistent in other games throughout the year. He recorded only one catch five times and failed to score another touchdown. Despite his up-and-down season, the Ohio State transfer still managed 26 catches for 364 yards, both good enough for third among Florida receivers.
Mullen also had junior Kadarius Toney -- a versatile athlete who saw time as a wide receiver, running back and kick returner -- at his disposal. Toney recorded 25 catches for 260 yards and one touchdown, along with 240 yards on the ground.
UF’s receiving corps has the depth and talent to produce at a high level with its group from last year still intact, which should bode well for Florida’s national championship aspirations.
Follow Bryan Matamoros on Twitter @bryan_2712 and contact him at bmatamoros@alligator.org.
Gators receiver Van Jefferson averaged 14.4 yards per catch in the 2018-19 season, the most in his career. He has 1502 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns over his collegiate career.
