Florida's Van Jefferson Visits Blue Wahoos Stadium, Leaves Lasting Impression

As he lofted passes to kids as young as 6-years-old in the outfield at Blue Wahoos Stadium, former Florida Gators receiver Van Jefferson relived childhood memories.
"Just being out here and seeing this, it's awesome," said Jefferson, who was one of six players from the Reese's Senior Bowl who visited last Friday to participate in a free clinic and fan autograph session at the bayfront stadium.
"Because at one point, I was a kid like that and I just wanted to be outside all day and play football," Jefferson said.
The next day, Jefferson finished off a big week by playing in the 71st Senior Bowl game at Mobile's Ladd-Peebles Stadium. He was named one of the South team's top practice players for the week, as voted upon by players and NFL personnel and recognized by Jim Nagy, executive director of the Reese's Senior Bowl.
It was a week that will further elevate Jefferson's status for the NFL draft, where he will follow the path of his father, Shawn Jefferson, who played 13 NFL seasons on four different teams and made two Super Bowl appearances, after being a ninth-round pick in 1991 by the Houston Oilers as a receiver.
Van Jefferson made strong impressions with his football skills and his personality during the week in Mobile.
But for two hours Friday in Pensacola, it was all about the kids.
"It brings a lot of memories from childhood," said Jefferson, who produced career-best totals as a senior with 49 receptions, 657 yards and six touchdowns. "Especially when I was little. I remember running around the house with my dad and my mom and things like that."
Jefferson, who didn't begin playing competitive football until he was in 8th grade, was joined by fellow Senior Bowl players Anfernee Jennings (linebacker, Alabama), South Carolina linebacker D.J. Wonnum, Mississippi State deep snapper Brian Cole, Maryland deep snapper Antoine Brooks and Colorado linebacker Davion Taylor.
They were assisted by four players from UWF's NCAA Division II national championship team - Nate Howard, Drew Luchey, Onelio Rios, Khalib Gilmore -- to help produce a fun time for more than 100 kids ages 6 through 14.
 David Wilson, director of Studer/55 Community Athletics, a partnership that includes the NFL Flag Pensacola youth football program sponsored by Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks, a Blue Wahoos investor, organized the drills.
"Just coming out here with these kids and just enjoying this moment is great," Jefferson said. "I'm just taking everything in and and having fun with it.
"This is probably the best part of the whole week, just coming out here and relaxing, having fun with these kids and brining a smile to their faces."
The Senior Bowl players and UWF players immediately connected. They all signed autographs and posed for pictures with fans on the stadium concourse after the free clinic.
It was the second year the Senior Bowl has made a stop with players in Pensacola and part of a partnership with the Blue Wahoos and the Reese's Senior Bowl.
"It just gave me flashbacks," Wonnum said. "It's great helping with these kids, seeing the smiles on their faces. And hopefully one day, they might be here helping to instruct kids."
During the Blue Wahoos 2019 season, there was a Senior Bowl night where 1,000 fans received vouchers for tickets to attend Saturday's game.
It's all part of the Senior Bowl's efforts under Nagy's direction to further grow the Senior Bowl and make it a Gulf Coast event.