WR Shorter credits mom for progress
GAINESVILLE — The familiar knock arrives like clockwork, signaling it is time for Florida receiver Justin Shorter to get to work.
Paula Shorter is waiting at the door of her son’s dorm room, right arm loose and ready to help him warm up and get up to speed.
A couple of hundred passes later, Shorter is confidently on his way to practice with his new team.
“It’s just small stuff like that which really just makes it just second nature,” Shorter said. “You know when you just go out there and play free and play hard and really just trust myself.”
This daily ritual between mother and son helped ease a challenging transition for Shorter.
Being the new kid is never easy, especially for a five-star talent like Shorter. Expectations were sky high for the Penn State transfer before he even arrived in Florida.
But his mom’s decision to move from their native New Jersey to Gainesville helped the 20-year-old adapt to his new surroundings, avoid distractions and cope with a pandemic.
The cancellation of spring practices and offseason limitations due to COVID19 left Shorter leaning on his mother even more than usual.
“I’m a momma’s boy,” Shorter proudly proclaims. “I’ve been that since I was born.”
Shorter would grow into a man among boys as a wide receiver.
By his senior season at South Brunswick High in Monmouth Junction, Shorter was 6-foot-4, 226 pounds and the nation’s top-ranked wide receiver prospect.
With school’s lined up to sign him, Shorter headed to Penn State. Happy Valley turned out to be anything but for him.
Following last season, Shorter sought greener pastures at UF. This time, Paula would not let her son leave home again alone.
“She just felt like it would be better for me to have family close,” Shorter said. “Obviously I’m from Jersey and that’s a long drive back home.
“Her being close and her being able to help me out. Like she picks me up from practice.
“It just makes her happy and makes me happy that she’s here supporting me.”
Paula Shorter’s duties extend beyond practice pick-ups, help with laundry, a home-cooked meal or a pat on the back.
Shorter has helped her son prepare to provide UF quarterback Kyle Trask a target he can trust in the Gators high-powered passing game.
“She has a cannon,” Justin Shorter said. “She can throw it.”
The extra work with his mother is beginning to pay off.
After a slow start to the season, Shorter has caught touchdowns during each of the past three games.
Shorter showcased his strength and speed during a14-yard run-and-catch across the middle, scoring the Gators first touchdown during their 44-28 win against rival Georgia.
“I just saw the lane, and I just took off,” he said.
Shorter’s leaping ability, concentration and soft hands were on display a week later during his 21-yard touchdown catch in the end zone while blanketed by Arkansas safety Jalen Catalon.
Shorter shared credit for the play with Gators receivers coach Billy Gonzales.
“We had practiced that a million times, literally, since the summer,” Shorter said. “We’ve been practicing jump balls, contested catches, and our coach, he’s really big on making those contested 50-50 balls.”
No one in the Swamp, though, likely was prouder of Shorter than his mother.
Paula Shorter likes to keep a low profile; she declined a request for an interview about her son.
Meanwhile, Justin Shorter, a redshirt sophomore, could not contain himself or his smile when discussing his mother’s influence.
“I love my mom,” Shorter said. “I love her to death.”
Given those family ties, Shorter struggled away living close to four hours away from home during his two years at Penn State.
Shorter’s homesickness carried over to the football field, where he caught 12 passes in 2019 and did not score touchdown at Penn State.
Shorter’s three trips to the end zone with the Gators show the value of a change of scenery and a place in one of the nation’s top attacks.
“He has unbelievable physical talents and gifts,” offensive coordinator Brian Johnson said.
“He’s done a great job of making plays. When he’s in, he takes advantage of his opportunity.
“That’s the beauty of our offense.” Few things are can match the power of a parent’s love. Paula Shorter gives new meaning to role of All Time Quarterback.
“My mom’s here and she helps me,” Justin Shorter said.
“It’s just the small things like that that just really shows me that hard work can pay off and I just want to keep on doing that and keep on staying humble, praying to God, and praying for the best.”