Van Jefferson: From High School Standout to NFL Veteran
1. Early Life & High School (Brentwood Beginnings)
Vanchi LaShawn Jefferson Jr., better known as Van Jefferson, was born on July 26, 1996, in Brentwood, Tennessee. He attended Ravenwood High School, where he quickly made a name for himself as a prolific wide receiver.
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Junior Year: 87 catches, 1,251 yards, 14 touchdowns.
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Senior Year: 67 receptions, 1,223 yards, 13 touchdowns. Named first-team All-State and singled out for statewide honors.
Initially committed to Georgia, he flipped his commitment to Ole Miss, choosing them over offers from powerhouse programs like Michigan, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.
2. College Career: Ole Miss to Florida
Ole Miss (2015–2017)
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2015: Redshirted his freshman year.
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2016 (Redshirt Freshman): 49 receptions, 543 yards, 3 touchdowns.
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2017 (Redshirt Sophomore): 42 catches, 456 yards, 1 touchdown.
The NCAA sanctions on Ole Miss prompted Jefferson to transfer.
University of Florida (2018–2019)
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2018: Immediate eligibility granted. Led the team with 35 catches, 503 yards, and 6 TDs.
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2019: Career totals of 49 receptions, 657 yards, and 6 touchdowns. His final college game: stellar 6-catch, 129-yard performance in the Orange Bowl.
Career college stat highlights: 175 catches, 2,159 yards, 16 touchdowns over 45 games.
3. NFL Journey: Draft & Professional Career
Draft Day & Los Angeles Rams (2020–2023)
Drafted in the 2nd round (57th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Rams. In Week 11 of his rookie year, he scored his first NFL touchdown—and later recorded his first playoff TD in the divisional round.
2021 Breakout: With Matthew Stafford at QB and injuries to WR Robert Woods, Jefferson posted 50 receptions, 802 yards, and 6 touchdowns—helping the Rams reach and win Super Bowl LVI, where he added 4 catches for 23 yards.
Atlanta Falcons (2023)
On October 10, 2023, Jefferson was traded to the Falcons for late-round pick swaps. He featured in 12 games with modest results: 12 receptions for 101 yards.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2024)
Signed a one-year contract with the Steelers on March 18, 2024. He played in 17 games, recorded 24 receptions for 276 yards and 2 touchdowns, and found the end zone again in the wild-card playoff game .
Tennessee Titans (2025–Present)
Returned home with a one-year, $1.67 million contract on March 14, 2025. The deal includes a $500,000 signing bonus and $1.17 million guaranteed. Cap hit: $1.67M.
4. Contract Breakdown & Earnings Overview
Rams Rookie Contract (2020–2023)
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Length: 4 years
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Value: $5.611 million
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Signing bonus: $1.641 million
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Total guaranteed: $2.506 million
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Avg salary: ~$1.403 million/year.
Steelers Deal (2024)
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One-year deal valued at $1.2925 million (base salary: $1.125M; bonus: $167.5K).
Titans Deal (2025)
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One-year contract worth $1.67M (base $1.17M + bonus $500K). Guarantees included.
5. Net Worth & Financial Snapshot
Estimates vary:
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SalarySport (2024) estimates net worth at $7.23 million, summing career earnings from base salaries and bonuses.
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CollegeNetWorth and similar sources align with this total, citing over $1.6K receiving yards and 10 TDs through 61 games (though that appears dated).
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Older sources from 2022 pegged his net worth much lower (~$2 million), but with continued earnings, this clearly underestimates current value.
6. Personal Life & Interesting Facts
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Family: Son of longtime NFL WR coach and former WR Shawn Jefferson.
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Married to Samaria Jefferson, his high school sweetheart. Together they have multiple children; notably, his second son was born during or right after Super Bowl LVI.
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Jefferson’s 2022 Super Bowl win and the birth of his son created a memorable personal milestone.
7. Career Stats Summary (as of end of 2024 season)
Regular Season Totals:
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Games: 78 | Starts: 47
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Receptions: 137 | Receiving Yards: 1,876 | Touchdowns: 12.
FAQs
1. What college did Van Jefferson attend?
Van began at Ole Miss (2015–2017) before transferring to the University of Florida (2018–2019), finishing strong at Florida.
2. Where did Van Jefferson go to high school?
He attended Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, Tennessee, where he posted standout receiving stats and earned all-state honors.
3. What teams has he played for in the NFL?
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Los Angeles Rams (2020–2023)
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Atlanta Falcons (2023)
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Pittsburgh Steelers (2024)
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Tennessee Titans (2025–present).
4. What are his contract details with the Titans?
A one-year, $1.67 million contract (2025), including:
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Signing bonus: $500K
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Base salary: $1.17M
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Guarantees included.
5. What’s Van Jefferson’s estimated net worth?
Estimated around $7.23 million based on salary and bonuses accumulated by 2024.
6. How many Super Bowl rings does he have?
He has one Super Bowl ring from Super Bowl LVI (2021 season) with the Rams.
7. Who is Van Jefferson’s dad?
His father is Shawn Jefferson, a former NFL wide receiver and long-time NFL receivers coach.
8. Did anything memorable happen during Super Bowl LVI?
Yes—his wife gave birth to their second son around the time of the game, making it a highly memorable moment personally and professionally.
Final Thoughts
Van Jefferson’s journey—from high school star at Ravenwood, through two major SEC programs, to an NFL Super Bowl champion and seasoned WR—offers a compelling narrative of perseverance and growth. As he continues his 2025 season with the Titans, his blend of experience and regional ties make him an intriguing figure to watch both on and off the field.
