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PH DPD: Meet Your 2017 Florida Gators
Meet your 2017 Florida Gators
In 2016, the Florida Gators fell just two points shy of playing in the National Championship game. In 2017, just about the entire team returns expecting to make up for those two points. This almost shapes up to be the season that it has to happen as key defensive players will be lost after 2017 is over. With that said, excitement is high for this season and coaches have even higher expectations.
Quarterbacks
Pos |
Name |
Ht, Wt |
Year |
OVR |
Comp |
Att |
Yds |
Comp% |
TD |
INT |
Yards/Att. |
QB |
Jason Rivero |
6-1, 200 |
Sr |
88 |
189 |
309 |
3559 |
61.2 |
17 |
11 |
11.52 |
QB |
Nick Jude |
6-4, 234 |
JrRS |
92 |
9 |
14 |
138 |
69.2 |
3 |
0 |
9.86 |
QB |
Paul Edwards |
6-2, 239 |
FrRS |
84 |
Redshirt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
QB |
CJ Bozeman |
6-2, 207 |
SrRS |
87 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
QB |
Mason Glover |
6-2, 215 |
Fr |
81 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
QB Jason Rivero returns after an excellent Junior season where injected an immediate spark into the offense. Not only did he have a very good passing season but he also added a QB running game that had been missing from the Gators offense for a long time. He returns for another year hoping to make his senior season very special. Behind him is Nick Jude who could start most teams in the country but without the running abilities, his effectiveness is less realized in the Florida offense. If needed though, he can easily step in and lead the team. After this season, the QB competition will be even more tough with Jude a senior, the best arm on the team in Paul Edwards, and the electric Freshman in Mason Glover.
Runningbacks
Pos |
Name |
Ht, Wt |
Year |
OVR |
Car |
Yds |
TD |
YPC |
FUM |
Long |
HB |
Michael Swan |
|
Grad |
|
27 |
219 |
2 |
8.11 |
0 |
66 |
HB |
Joel Wilson |
|
Grad |
|
2 |
14 |
1 |
7.00 |
0 |
0 |
HB |
Isaac Gordon |
6-2, 252 |
So |
80 |
303 |
1491 |
22 |
4.92 |
1 |
63 |
FB |
Trent Rivero |
6-1, 249 |
So |
69 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
HB |
Dwight Butler |
6-0, 221 |
JrRS |
82 |
84 |
758 |
8 |
9.02 |
0 |
80 |
HB |
Stephen Stewart |
5-9, 191 |
SrRS |
86 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
HB |
Leo Lyles |
5-11, 210 |
FrRS |
79 |
Redshirt |
|
|
|
|
|
QB |
Jason Rivero |
6-1, 200 |
Sr |
88 |
157 |
646 |
8 |
4.11 |
12 |
54 |
Like Rivero, newcomer Isaac Gordon burst on the scene last season, or rather in Gordon's case, barreled through it. The tough-running bowling ball didn't have very many highlight reel runs but was a very hard-nosed runner that was always consistent to pick up yardage. Alongside him is the lightning to his thunder in Dwight Butler. Butler had flashes of excellence throughout the season but truly emerged in the Capital One Bowl when Gordon went down to injury. Butler's coming out party put up 278 yards on the ground on 15 carries with 3 touchdowns. Senior Stephen Stewart has quietly waited for his opportunity and this year he may see it, though likely only in a backup role.
Receivers
Pos |
Name |
Ht, Wt |
Year |
OVR |
Catches |
Yards |
TD |
YPC |
Drops |
Long |
WR |
Travis Clifford |
|
Grad |
|
43 |
636 |
4 |
14.79 |
7 |
44 |
WR |
John Jefferson |
|
Grad |
|
1 |
27 |
0 |
27.00 |
0 |
27 |
WRX |
Donald Boone |
6-1, 191 |
JrRS |
90 |
44 |
570 |
4 |
12.95 |
5 |
42 |
WRZ |
Trey Strickland |
6-2, 202 |
So |
85 |
38 |
661 |
3 |
17.39 |
3 |
42 |
WRY |
Dustin Burch |
6-2, 206 |
SoRS |
80 |
14 |
236 |
2 |
16.86 |
5 |
79 |
WRZ |
Calvin Butler |
6-5, 226 |
JrRS |
82 |
Redshirt |
|
|
|
|
|
WRZ |
Justin Johnson |
6-0, 220 |
JrRS |
80 |
Redshirt |
|
|
|
|
|
WRX |
Nate Stallings |
6-2, 194 |
SoRS |
76 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
1 |
0 |
WRY |
Keith Grant |
6-3, 193 |
JrRS |
74 |
2 |
25 |
2 |
12.50 |
0 |
14 |
WRT |
Walter Long |
6-7, 268 |
FrRS |
72 |
Redshirt |
|
|
|
|
|
WRY |
Clarence Murphy |
6-1, 210 |
Fr |
70 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
WRX |
Jayson Seals |
6-2, 205 |
Fr |
69 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perhaps the biggest loss on the offensive side will be speedster WR Travis Clifford. However, sure-handed Donald Boone returns and the offseason treated him well; expect him to truly shine this season. Replacing Clifford will be Trey Strickland as the outside speed threat and there appears to be no drop-off. At the slot will be burner Dustin Burch. Burch was a running threat and a return specialist in 2016 but now will be called on for more duty. Coming off the bench will be a myriad of talented players. Calvin Butler and Justin Johnson both are very capable and could see quite a bit of playing time. Perhaps the most intriguing will be big-bodied, former TE, Walter Long. At 6'7, 268, he'll be a mismatch for just about any defender. He also has good hands and has the strength and ability to bully around any defensive back in the running game.
Tight Ends
Pos |
Name |
Ht, Wt |
Year |
OVR |
REC |
YDS |
TD |
YPC |
Drops |
Long |
TE |
Avery Smiley |
6-1, 272 |
Sr |
81 |
25 |
306 |
2 |
12.24 |
3 |
32 |
TE |
T.J. Bush |
6-2, 261 |
JrRS |
82 |
Redshirt |
|
|
|
|
|
TE |
John Ashley |
6-7, 261 |
So |
74 |
3 |
68 |
1 |
22.67 |
0 |
51 |
Avery Smiley returns as the starter after a solid year in 2016. He didn't dazzle but was always reliable when called upon. TJ Bush returns to the field after sitting out a season due to ineligilbity which will allow youngster John Ashley to redshirt this season.
Offensive Lineman
Pos |
Name |
Ht, Wt |
Year |
OVR |
2016 Starts |
C |
Kirk Ford |
|
Grad |
|
0 |
LT |
Brandon Marquardt |
6-4, 276 |
Sr |
84 |
13 |
LG |
Maurice Green |
6-4, 303 |
So |
81 |
13 |
C |
Anthony Mills |
6-6, 285 |
Sr |
92 |
13 |
RG |
John Archer |
6-6, 345 |
Sr |
82 |
13 |
RT |
Duane Harvey |
6-3, 297 |
So |
83 |
13 |
RG |
Matt Johnson |
6-4, 312 |
Sr |
84 |
0 |
C |
Cedric Myers |
6-7, 321 |
SoRS |
82 |
0 |
LG |
Cory Phillips |
6-6, 350 |
JrRS |
81 |
Redshirt |
LT |
Joe Jones |
6-3, 295 |
SoRS |
76 |
Redshirt |
RT |
Brent Sullivan |
6-4, 296 |
Fr |
76 |
|
LT |
D.J. Kane |
6-6, 306 |
So |
76 |
|
Along the offensive line, the Fab 5 Freshman from the 2014 season are now seniors and ready to truly dominate. While Johnson and Phillips have been replaced by younger talent, Marquardt, Mills, and Archer all have started every game of their career thus far. Look for the group to be at it's best as they send the seniors off on a high in 2017.
Defensive Lineman
Pos |
Name |
Ht, Wt |
Year |
OVR |
Tackles |
% of Team |
TFL |
Sacks |
INT |
FF |
FR |
LE |
Phillip Brewer |
|
Grad |
|
11 |
1.99% |
8 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
DT |
Mike Ford |
|
Grad |
|
5 |
0.91% |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
DT |
Rod Smith |
|
Grad |
|
1 |
0.18% |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
LE |
Anthony Newton |
6-5, 244 |
Fr |
79 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DT |
Scott Dixon |
6-5, 281 |
Sr |
91 |
30 |
5.43% |
10 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
DT |
Brendan Owen |
6-4, 308 |
SoRS |
90 |
22 |
3.99% |
11 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
RE |
Shelton Howard |
6-5, 289 |
SoRS |
78 |
Redshirt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
LE |
Maurice Harvey |
6-3, 271 |
SrRS |
86 |
0 |
0.00% |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
RE |
Terry Bullock |
6-4, 263 |
JrRS |
83 |
3 |
0.54% |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
DT |
Joseph Nixon |
6-2, 271 |
Fr |
75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DT |
E.J. Patterson |
6-3, 267 |
FrRS |
67 |
Redshirt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
DT |
Eric Kerr |
6-4, 264 |
Sr |
85 |
17 |
3.08% |
8 |
6 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
DE Phillip Brewer was one of only 3 departing starters that needed to be replaced. Brewer's replacement is a stud Freshman in Anthony Newton. Newton has the strenghth and skills to be a dominate force in his first year on the field. Alongside him will be the DT twins in senior Scott Dixon and sophomore Brendan Owen as they will continue to hold down the middle of the field in 2017. Former RE Eric Kerr moves inside to allow him to develop his strength and will sit for a year; replacing him will likely be bully DE Shelton Howard.
Linebackers
Pos |
Name |
Ht, Wt |
Year |
OVR |
Tackles |
% of Team |
TFL |
Sacks |
INT |
FF |
FR |
LOLB |
Travis Woodard |
6-3, 215 |
Jr |
79 |
9 |
1.63% |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
MLB |
Jason Mitchell |
6-3, 240 |
Sr |
92 |
68 |
12.32% |
17 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
ROLB |
Carlos Gipson |
5-11, 213 |
Sr |
84 |
60 |
10.87% |
15 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
MLB |
Damon Baker |
6-1, 245 |
SoRS |
76 |
5 |
0.91% |
4 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
ROLB |
Trey Martinez |
6-2, 214 |
JrRS |
81 |
Redshirt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
LOLB |
Obadiah Moody |
6-5, 242 |
SrRS |
78 |
0 |
0.00% |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
ROLB |
David Douglas |
6-0, 241 |
Jr |
80 |
45 |
8.15% |
15 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
MLB |
Clint Johnson |
6-0, 205 |
So |
75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LOLB |
Caleb Morton |
6-0, 226 |
Fr |
68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At Linebackers, MLB Jason Mitchell returns to lead the defensive charge. Behind the block-eaters in Dixon & Owen, Mitchell and ROLB Carlos Gipson were a dominate force living in the backfield on running plays. Look for the pair to continue to dominate. LOLB Travis Woodard moves from the middle to the outside to utilize his abilities to rush the QB. Behind the starting trio, MLB Damon Baker will be the first off the bench. Baker has not only the speed to play on the outside but has the strength to help stuff the middle. While Mitchell and Gipson will be missed after this season, the speedy duo of Baker and OLB David Douglas make the outlook for the future very bright.
Secondary
Pos |
Name |
Ht, Wt |
Year |
OVR |
Tackles |
% of Team |
TFL |
Sacks |
INT |
FF |
FR |
SS |
Tye Gray |
|
Grad |
|
75 |
13.59% |
7 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
CB |
Bernard Johnson |
|
Grad |
|
28 |
5.07% |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
FS |
Marcus Kane |
|
Grad |
|
0 |
0.00% |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
CB |
Casey Jenkins |
6-2, 182 |
Sr |
89 |
28 |
5.07% |
3 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
CB |
Brian Jones |
6-1, 184 |
SrRS |
89 |
49 |
8.88% |
3 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
FS |
Jermaine Grant |
6-5, 210 |
Jr |
88 |
62 |
11.23% |
3 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
SS |
Roderick Mixon |
5-9, 170 |
FrRS |
83 |
Redshirt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
SS |
Justin Carter |
6-3, 212 |
JrRS |
81 |
18 |
3.26% |
4 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
CB |
Jesse Wilcox |
5-11, 190 |
JrRS |
83 |
Redshirt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
CB |
Charles Moore |
6-1, 169 |
SoRS |
76 |
16 |
2.90% |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
CB |
Greg Nixon |
5-11, 166 |
SoRS |
75 |
0 |
0.00% |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
CB |
Kevin Watson |
6-2, 175 |
Fr |
74 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CB |
Harvey Blalock |
6-1, 185 |
Fr |
69 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FS |
Jonathan Jones |
6-0, 215 |
FrRS |
80 |
Redshirt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
FS |
Fred Meyers |
6-0, 218 |
SrRS |
84 |
0 |
0.00% |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
SS |
Danny Johnson |
5-11, 206 |
Fr |
75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The biggest loss after the 2016 season is certainly SS Tye Gray. Gray was a leader on the team not only statisically but also of the team itself. Replacing him will be difficult. However, returning at CB are the duo of Casey Jenkins and Brian Jones. Both have very good speed and excellent coverage abilities. Behind them at Nickel will be an also very capable CB in Jesse Wilcox. Deep at Free Safety will be towering Jermaine Grant who can not only cover very well but also surprised the coaches the past two years with his ability to fly to the ball in run defense. At Strong Safety, attempting to fill in Gray's loss will be redshirt Freshman Roderick Mixon. Mixon was like a sponge during his redshirt year and leared from Gray. Alongside him in 335/425 looks will be Justin Carter who saw extended playing time last season.
Kickers
Pos |
Name |
Ht, Wt |
Year |
OVR |
FGM |
FGA |
FG% |
LONG |
XPM |
XPA |
PTS |
P |
Richard Hooper |
|
Grad |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
K |
Ben Andrews |
6-2, 191 |
So |
84 |
20 |
21 |
95.24% |
53 |
62 |
62 |
122 |
P |
Justin Johnson |
6-2, 204 |
Fr |
78 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Returning at Kicker will be Ben Andrews who had a very good season last year missing only one attempt. With an even stronger leg this year, look for distance to not be an issue at all and he will likely go without a miss this season. At punter, Florida lost their planned starter to transfer in the offseason but were able to find an incoming player from the soccer team to take over. Justin Johnson comes in with a strong leg and good accuracy so the Gators will move on without missing a beat.
Returners
Pos |
Name |
Ht, Wt |
Year |
OVR |
KR |
YDS |
TD |
PR |
YDS |
TD |
WRY |
Dustin Burch |
6-2, 206 |
SoRS |
80 |
65 |
1869 |
2 |
33 |
411 |
0 |
WRZ |
Trey Strickland |
6-2, 202 |
So |
85 |
1 |
-1 |
0 |
1 |
61 |
1 |
At return specialist, WR Dustin Burch had a very good year returning 2 kickoffs for touchdown. Given his bigger role in the offense however, look for Florida to turn to another speedster on the roster, perhaps WR Keith Grant or WR Calvin Butler.
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