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Draft Scout College Football Player News: Florida

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11/30/23 - Graham Mertz, rSr/2025, Florida + More +

Florida quarterback Graham Mertz is coming back for his final year of college eligibility and giving coach Billy Napier some offensive consistency heading into 2024. Mertz, a three-year starter at Wisconsin who transferred to Florida in January, made the announcement on social media Thursday with a short video titled "Unfinished Business." Mertz completed 72.9% of his passes this season for 2,903 yards, with 20 touchdown passes and just three interceptions. He broke his left collarbone during a Nov. 18 loss at Missouri and missed the team's regular-season finale against rival Florida State. - AP College Football

rSr/2025

QB Graham Mertz, Florida
News Source: AP College Football
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03/08/23 - Jason Marshall Jr., Sr/2025, Florida + More +

Florida junior cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. wants to become a more vocal leader on the defense this spring. "There's young guys coming in and they're looking up to me and some of the other guys," Marshall said following Saturday's first spring practice. "Setting that foundation and me having my game experience and experience here in college in general, they're going to look up to me, ask questions." Marshall, out of Miami Palmetto High School, is coming off a sophomore season in which he started all 13 games - recording eight pass breakups, one tackle for loss and one interception.

As Florida's top cover corner, the 6-foot-1, 197-pound Marshall set goals of becoming faster and stronger during the offseason. But with the departure of linebackers Ventrell Miller Jr., Amari Burney and defensive lineman Gervon Dexter Sr., Marshall is preparing to make an impact beyond the playing field as well. "It all started end of last year," Marshall said. "With guys like Ventrell leaving and Gervon leaving, those were your vocal guys on defense. I'm in that role. I have to step up and be more vocal toward the defense." - Gainesville Sun

Sr/2025

CB Jason Marshall Jr., Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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02/10/23 - Kaleb Boateng, rSr/2024, Florida + More +

Florida coaches and players posted messages of sympathy on social media following the death of former Gators walk-on Kaleb Boateng, who died suddenly on Thursday night at 21. Boateng transferred to Florida from Clemson and was a walk-on with the Gators in 2021. He practiced on both the offensive and defensive lines with the Gators during spring and fall practice under head coach Billy Napier but did not make UF's squad last fall. Napier posted a tribute to Boateng on social media on Friday afternoon. Boateng appeared in five games on the offensive line in two seasons at Clemson before transferring to Florida. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney released a statement regarding Boateng's passing. - Gainesville Sun

rSr/2024

OG Kaleb Boateng, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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02/06/23 - Damieon George Jr., rSr/2025, Florida + More +

When Florida football opens spring practice on March 4, new faces will take on new roles across both lines of scrimmage. The Gators filled holes on the offensive and defensive fronts due to some expected and some unexpected departures. On the offensive front, Florida added three linemen from the portal with Power 5 conference experience - Baylor guard Micah Mazzucca (6-foot-5, 322 pounds), Alabama tackle Dameion George Jr. (6-6, 372) and Kentucky tackle Kiyaunta Goodwin (6-7, 372).

In recruiting, Florida signed four more offensive linemen out of high school, which included Under All-American starting guard Roderick Kearney (6-4, 292) and four-star tackle Caden Jones (6-6, 307). "It's probably one of the areas where I think we did the best work," Florida coach Billy Napier said. "When you think about, you know, the traits there. We've got some experienced players, but I also think some of the young players that we added have significant height, length, functional movement, bright futures." - Gainesville Sun

rSr/2025

OT Damieon George Jr., Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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01/18/23 - Jack Miller III, rJr/2026, Florida + More +

Quarterback Jaden Rashada wants out of a commitment to Florida due to a failed Name, Image and Likeness agreement worth a reported $13 million. On the heels of 2022 starter Anthony Richardson declaring for the NFL draft and the dismissal of Jalen Kitna due to child pornography charges, the Gators might be left with Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz and Jack Miller III competing this spring. Miller, a redshirt freshman, started for Florida in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Florida coach Billy Napier visited transfer portal option Walker Howard last week. The four-star Louisiana product left LSU after playing only two games in 2022, but he committed to Ole Miss on Wednesday. Napier said at the Under Armour All-American Game on Jan. 3 that he expected Rashada to enroll early to join the team in January. "I have watched this season and Coach Napier and his team are building something very special in The Swamp and I want to be a part of it," Rashada said via Twitter. - Gatorsports.com

rJr/2026

QB Jack Miller III, Florida
News Source: Gatorsports.com
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01/18/23 - Damieon George Jr., rSr/2025, Florida + More +

Alabama junior offensive lineman Damieon George, who said the day after the Iron Bowl in November he was entering the transfer portal, announced Monday that he is transferring to Florida. George revealed his school choice on Instagram after sharing over the weekend that he was visiting Gainesville. George visited Auburn earlier this month, he told 247 Sports and On3 Sports, and also posted on social media from Oxford, Mississippi in early January.

The 6-foot-6, 339-pound George was a three-star recruit in 247 Sports' composite ranking for the 2020 class. The Houston native was a backup right tackle for Alabama but made three starts at that position during the 2021 season. He appeared in 17 total games for the Tide, including the first two of the 2022 season before not appearing in the final 10 of the regular season. - Birmingham News

rSr/2025

OT Damieon George Jr., Florida
News Source: Birmingham News
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01/14/23 - Ricky Pearsall, rSr/2024, Florida + More +

Receiver Ricky Pearsall tossed Gators fans some good news on Saturday. "I'm back," he posted on Twitter. Pearsall announced that he plans to return for his final year of eligibility in 2023. Pearsall debated whether to declare for the draft or return to school, finally revealing his decision on social media. The Gators and head coach Billy Napier will gladly welcome Pearsall back for his second season at UF. Pearsall transferred last spring from Arizona State and proved to be one of Florida's most productive players. "He's a great competitor," Napier said last month. "A guy last made our team better."

A fourth-year junior in 2022, Pearsall was hobbled early in the season by a foot injury suffered the first week of preseason camp. However, once he returned to full speed, Pearsall became one of the team's most dangerous offensive weapons. He caught 33 passes for a career-high 661 yards and five touchdowns, and rushed for 113 yards and a score. He had his best game in the regular-season finale at Florida State, catching five passes for a career-high 148 yards and two touchdowns. - Florida Gators Football

rSr/2024

WR Ricky Pearsall, Florida
News Source: Florida Gators Football
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01/01/23 - *Rashad Torrence II, Jr/2023, Florida + More +

Florida Gators starting safety and leading tackler Rashad Torrence II announced on social media Thursday that he's declaring for the NFL Draft. Torrence, an Atlanta native, posted a team-high 84 tackles for Florida in 2022 with one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He appeared in 12 of 13 games for the Gators this season, sitting out the Florida State game due to injury. Torrence is the sixth Gator player with eligibility remaining who opted to declare for the NFL Draft, joining quarterback Anthony Richardson, offensive lineman O'Cyrus Torrence, offensive lineman Richard Gouraige, wide receiver Justin Shorter and defensive lineman Gervon Dexter Sr.

With Torrence declaring for the NFL Draft and defensive back Tre'Vez Johnson entering the transfer portal, the Gators will look to re-tool their starting secondary in 2023. Candidates to replace both players include safeties Kamari Wilson and Miguel Mitchell and defensive back Jadarrius Perkins. Overall, Florida's roster attrition stands at 30 players since the start of the 2022 season, with 21 players entering the transfer portal, six entering the NFL Draft and three players dismissed from the team for disciplinary reasons. - Gainesville Sun

Jr/2023

SS *Rashad Torrence II, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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12/21/22 - Graham Mertz, rSr/2025, Florida + More +

Former Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz is transferring to Florida, giving the Gators an experienced starter at a depleted position. Mertz announced his commitment on social media Wednesday. He is expected to enroll at the Southeastern Conference school in January. A three-year starter at Wisconsin, Mertz left the program after the Badgers hired former Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell to head its program. He joins a Florida team that lost Anthony Richardson to the NFL draft and dismissed backup Jalen Kitna following his arrest on child pornography charges. Third-stringer Jack Miller started the Las Vegas Bowl against Oregon State and threw for 180 yards and was sacked four times in a 30-3 loss.

The Gators signed four-star quarterback prospect Jaden Rashada on Wednesday as a potential starter in 2023 and could mine the transfer portal for more help at the all-important position, where Florida lost Richardson, Kitna, Emory Jones and Carlos Del Rio-Wilson in a nine-month span. Mertz threw five touchdown passes to help Wisconsin beat Illinois 45-7 in his first career start, setting a school single-game record for completion percentage and tying the school single-game record for TD tosses. But he struggled with consistency the rest of his time with the Badgers. Wisconsin had a different offensive coordinator each of his three seasons as a starter. Mertz has completed 59.5% of his career passes for 5,405 yards, with 38 touchdowns and 26 interceptions. He completed 57.3% of his attempts for 2,136 yards, with 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season. - AP College Football

rSr/2025

QB Graham Mertz, Florida
News Source: AP College Football
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12/16/22 - Asa Turner, rSr/2025, Florida + More +

2022 ALL-PAC-12 CONFERENCE HONORABLE MENTION: DB Asa Turner, Jr.,...First-year Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer was named the 2022 Pac-12 Co-Coach of the Year, while a total of 16 Huskies earned All-Pac-12 honors, the conference office announced. Eight Washington players were given honorable mention: RG Henry Bainivalu, LB Cam Bright, C Corey Luciano, WR Jalen McMillan, RB Wayne Taulapapa, DL Zion Tupuola-Fetui, LB Alphonzo Tuputala and S Asa Turner. - Washington Football

rSr/2025

FS Asa Turner, Florida
News Source: Washington Football
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12/14/22 - Graham Mertz, rSr/2025, Florida + More +

The Florida Gators recently hosted Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz, indicating coach Billy Napier's need for a plug-and-play starter after Anthony Richardson opted into the NFL draft. Mertz is an interesting recruit not just for his experience – he battled through extended runs of inconsistent play as a multiple-year starter for the Badgers – but for being more of a traditional pocket passer. If the Gators sign Mertz or someone with a similar skill set, what would that indicate about how the offense will look in 2023? - USA Today

rSr/2025

QB Graham Mertz, Florida
News Source: USA Today
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12/09/22 - Shemar James, Jr/2026, Florida + More +

2022 SEC ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM: LB Shemar James, Florida,...James played in all 12 games for Florida this season, making three starts. His 40 tackles on the season are the second-most among SEC true freshmen linebackers and the sixth-most on the Gators. The Mobile, Alabama native is also tied for second in sacks and forced fumbles among SEC true freshmen. James posted a career-high eight tackles against Eastern Washington, while recovering a fumble against South Florida on the game's first possession. - Florida Football

Jr/2026

ILB Shemar James, Florida
News Source: Florida Football
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12/09/22 - *Anthony Richardson, rSo/2023, Florida + More +

Florida football coach Billy Napier said he understood quarterback Anthony Richardson's decision to declare for the NFL Draft. Richardson won't play in the bowl game. "Anthony sees an opportunity," Napier said. "He's going to work extremely hard to solidify his position in the draft and, you know, [he] did a lot for the Gators, man. You know, and certainly proud of him as a person and the way he went about his business and represented this place." Richardson had some growing pains early in the season but started all 12 games for the Gators and improved as the season progressed, finishing the year with 2,549 yards passing, 17 TDs and nine interceptions along with 654 yards rushing and 9 rushing TDs. "Made a ton of progress," Napier said. "You know, just, most importantly I think as a person, comfort with the role, you know, the leadership aspect. And certainly, I thought [he] made a lot of progress when it comes to football intelligence and defensive structure, protections." - Gainesville Sun

rSo/2023

QB *Anthony Richardson, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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12/09/22 - OCyrus Torrence, Sr/2023, Florida + More +

2022 WALTER CAMP FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICAN: OL O'Cyrus Torrence, Florida,...A native of Greensburg, La., Torrence started in eleven games this season, allowing zero sacks while not committing a penalty not only during his lone season with the Gators, but over his career. Torrence is the highest graded guard in the country according to Pro Football Focus with an 88.2 grade. Torrence has anchored an offensive line that has allowed only 13 sacks this season, which is second-least in the SEC and tied for 15th in the nation. Florida's 5.8 yards per carry and 213.7 rushing yards per game are amongst the best in program history. On Tuesday, Torrence was selected to the All-SEC First Team, becoming the first Florida offensive lineman to earn such honors since Maurkince and Mike Pouncey back in 2009, and the 26th overall. - Florida Football

Sr/2023

OG OCyrus Torrence, Florida
News Source: Florida Football
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12/08/22 - OCyrus Torrence, Sr/2023, Florida + More +

2022 ALL-SEC FIRST TEAM (COACHES): OL O'Cyrus Torrence, Florida,...Torrence has anchored an offensive line that has allowed only 13 sacks this season, which is second-least in the SEC and tied for 15th in the nation. Florida's 5.8 yards per carry and 213.7 rushing yards per game are amongst the best in program history with Torrence leading the way. Additionally, Torrence was tabbed SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week for Week 10 and the Co-SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week for Week 11. This marked the first time a Gators offensive lineman claimed consecutive offensive lineman of the week honors in the same season, and is the first offensive lineman to win the award multiple times in the same season since Martez Ivey in 2016. Torrence becomes the 26th Florida offensive lineman to be named All-SEC First Team by the coaches since the league established the honor in 1984. - Florida Football

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