Thomas Johnson Reaves played quarterback for Ray Graves' and Doug Dickey's Florida Gators from 1969 to 1971, and was a key member of the the Super Sophs that included WR Carlos Alvarez and RB Tommy Durrance. Reaves and Alvarez went on to break every Gator passing and receiving record, and a few NCAA records as well. In his sophomore year of 1969, John led the team to a then-best 9-1-1 record and an upset 14-13 Gator Bowl victory over the heavily favored Tennessee Volunteers. In 1969 he threw for 2896 yards (NCAA record at the time), 19 interceptions, and 24 touchdowns and was named first team All SEC. John struggled a bit in 1970 during the transition from Ray Graves to Doug Dickey and "only" threw for 2548 yards, but with 19 interceptions to 13 touchdowns. John broke the NCAA career passing record on a controversial play nicknamed "the Gator Flop" or the "Florida Flop" in the last game of 1971, as the entire Gator defense fell down on purpose to let the Miami offense score quickly enough for the Gators to get the ball back and give John the opportunity to break the record. In that 1971 season, John was team captain, Fergie Ferguson Award winner, Sammy Baugh Award winner and first team All American after throwing for 2104 yards, 17 TDs, and 21 INTs. His record of 7581 career yards stood for many years until the modern passing era. The modern record is 19217 yards by Case Keenum, which he did in six years to Reaves' three years--freshmen did not play varsity football in Reaves' day.
John was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 14th pick of the 1972 NFL Draft. He had a journeyman career in the NFL and USFL from 1972 to 1987. In the USFL, he was a starting QB under coach Steve Spurrier's Tampa Bay Bandits from 1983 to 1985. He retired out of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1987 and went on to be one of Spurrier's assistants from 1990 to 1994, working primarily with QB Shane Matthews. John was later named to the Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame, and the University of Florida Athletic Association Hall of Fame.
BONUS TRIVIA: John Reaves is the father-in-law to current USCw coach Lane Kiffen. Google for pictures of Layla Reaves Kiffen.
John was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 14th pick of the 1972 NFL Draft. He had a journeyman career in the NFL and USFL from 1972 to 1987. In the USFL, he was a starting QB under coach Steve Spurrier's Tampa Bay Bandits from 1983 to 1985. He retired out of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1987 and went on to be one of Spurrier's assistants from 1990 to 1994, working primarily with QB Shane Matthews. John was later named to the Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame, and the University of Florida Athletic Association Hall of Fame.
BONUS TRIVIA: John Reaves is the father-in-law to current USCw coach Lane Kiffen. Google for pictures of Layla Reaves Kiffen.
