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Three things we learned from Gators' open practice

Ole Miss transfer receiver Van Jefferson is making a strong case to be Gators' No. 1 receiver in 2018. (AP Photo/David Stephenson)

Edgar ThompsonContact Reporter

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UF coach Dan Mullen opened the Gators’ entire Saturday practice to the media.
Here are three takeaways:
1. None of the Gators are going to outwork receiver Van Jefferson.
The Ole Miss transfer not only seems to be every quarterback’s favorite target, Jefferson is setting the bar for how to practice.
Jefferson’s dirt-covered, sweat-soaked uniform at the end of the day was a sign of a player who gives maximum effort on every snap. Every teammate’s white uniform was pristine by comparison.
The 6-foot-2, 197-pound Jefferson runs every pass pattern with precision and intensity. He battles for every pass thrown his way and usually comes out the winner.
Jefferson’s effort was rewarded Saturday. QBs targeted him more than any other WR.
The Gators’ receiver group is as deep and talented as it has been in years. To begin with, Tyrie Cleveland has looked like a more complete receiver and Ohio State Trevon Grimes’ big-play ability is evident every day. Josh Hammond has been solid.
But Jefferson, 22, has become the leader of the unit and is poised for a big season after leaving behind arguably the best receiving corps in the SEC at Ole Miss.
Jefferson, a redshirt junior who played two seasons for the Rebels, still has yet to receive an eligibility waiver from the SEC. Though it is expected to happen, the Gators will be happy once it is in hand.
2. Feleipe Franks had the best day among the quarterbacks.
Franks made some shaky throws during routes on air, but once the team moved to 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills the redshirt sophomore stood out from Kyle Trask.

Trask, mind you, was wearing a glove on his throwing hand early in practice and did not look comfortable and confident with his passes.
But it does not change the fact Franks looked solid, making a number of pinpoint throws into coverage. Franks also attacked the middle of the field, an area he all but ignored much of last season when he struggled during his eight starts.
Not surprisingly, the strong-armed Franks hit some deep throws, including a pair to Grimes, who has a knack for getting behind the defense. Yet, Franks also held onto the ball too long, rather than look to make the “unspectacular player,” in Dan Mullen lexicon.
And Franks ended 7-on-7 drills with a near pick-six by Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, potentially undermining a pretty good body of work.
Based on Saturday, Franks would have to be considered the front-runner in the race. On Friday, Mullen said he would like to make a decision on a starter sooner than later.
The team scrimmages Monday for the first time. On Tuesday, Mullen will meet with reporters. Perhaps, UF’s first-year coach will have some news.
3. Cornerback depth is a concern.
UF’s receivers made their share of plays on Saturday against a collection of cornerbacks too often catching their breath.
Marco Wilson, CJ Henderson and Gardner-Johnson are a talented trio, but they cannot handle pass coverage duties alone, especially when fresh receivers are cycling in on every snap.
First-freshman Trey Dean III has the tools to be an SEC-caliber cornerback, but no experience. Sophomore Brian Edwards has potential, but much to prove.
Redshirt sophomore C.J. McWilliams did have a nice pass breakup on a pass to Van Jefferson, so perhaps McWilliams will surprise in 2018.
The loss of top recruit Justin Watkins was a big blow to the position. At the same time, on game days Wilson, Henderson and Gardner-Johnson will not be pushed in nearly 100-degree heat quite as hard as on Saturday.
But fatigue, much less injury, could be hard to overcome on a unit with inexperience and paper-thin depth.

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