Wide Receiver
Jabar Gaffney
College: Florida
Year: Sophomore
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 202
Birthday: December 1, 1980
40 Time: 4.45
Strengths: Gaffney, an All-SEC wideout, set several freshman marks in 2000, including most receiving yards (1,184) and touchdowns (14). But Gaffney’s most amazing feat last year didn’t show up in any of Florida’s box scores.
In December, 1999, Gaffney was busted for stealing some cash and a gold watch. Coach Steve Spurrier kicked him off the team and revoked his scholarship. But Gaffney begged Spurrier for another chance, and the coach eventually relented, on two conditions: 1) he’d have to make the squad as a walk-on; 2) he would start the year at the bottom of Florida’s deep and very talented wide receiver depth chart.
He was back on top of it by week five.
Gaffney’s tall and very fast, makes big plays and understands how to run routes (he was a QB in high school) — he’s the next great wide receiver from Florida, maybe the next great wide receiver period.
Areas of concern: Well… there was the theft incident. In fact, Gaffney seems to have a knack for finding trouble. After catching a game-winning touchdown last year against Tennessee, Gaffney grabbed his crotch and performed a throat slashing gesture that earned him a suspension. He was part of the Miami/Florida Bourbon Street brawl prior to this year’s Sugar Bowl. And he’s currently under investigation for roughing up a 15-year old boy Gaffney caught trying to steal his motor scooter.
He is only 20, but…
Is he sponge-worthy?: Depends. Right now, he’s a sophomore with a checkered past. If he continues to mature both on and off the field, he should merit legitimate consideration in 2003.
But it’s unlikely the Texans will take a flier on him next year — he’s too young, both physically and mentally, and likely to be a year or two away from having any impact in the NFL. Plus, receivers are, more and more, a dime a dozen. Gaffney himself plays on a team at least three-deep.
Jabar Gaffney’s career stats YEAR REC YDS TD AVG 2000 71 1,184 14 16.7 TOTALS 71 1,184 14 16.7 Return to Houston Pro Football.com
Florida’s Gaffney chosen TSN’s Freshman of the Year The Sporting News names Jabar Gaffney their Freshman of the Year.
Jacksonville natives form a big-play duo Nice feature on Jabar Gaffney and his cousin, Florida S Lito Sheppard.
Gators happy Gaffney successful in begging way back onto team The Tennessean recounts how Jabar Gaffney worked his way back onto the team.
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