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Florida Gators running back Dameon Pierce laughs as he answers a question from the media during a press conference Thursday morning at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. In 2020 Gator fans enjoyed one of the most prolific offenses in Florida football history led by Heisman Trophy finalist quarterback Kyle Trask and first-round NFL draft picks Kyle Pitts and Kadarius Toney. The Gators finished the season with a nation-leading 388.4 yards passing per game. The running game, however, averaged 120.5 yard per game and finished 12th in the SEC ahead of Vanderbilt and Mississippi State.

With Trask gone as well as his top three pass catchers from last season, things are expected to look a little different this year. Senior Dameon Pierce returns to lead what should be a strong stable of running backs in 2021 - a position group head coach Dan Mullen says is his least concerning unit. Pierce admitted it was frustrating at times last season as the Gators primarily moved the ball through the air. He said he used that time to improve his pass protection and route running. "We had a generational quarterback here at Florida and maybe one of the greatest tight ends in the history of college football," Pierce said. Despite Florida's lack of a running game Pierce finished with 503 yards on 106 carries and four touchdowns. He also caught 17 balls for 156 yards and a score. - Gainesville Sun

(DS#10 RB) Sr/2022

RB Dameon Pierce, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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07/30/21 - Graham Mertz, rSr/2025, Florida, 6-3, 212 (DS#19 QB) + More +

Graham Mertz posted All-American numbers in his first college start. Leading Wisconsin against Illinois in the 2020 opener, Mertz completed his first 17 passes before a drop by tailback Garrett Groshek ended his streak, and he went on to finish 20 of 21 for 248 yards and five touchdowns. His completion rate of 95.2% was a program record and he tied the mark for most touchdown passes in a game. Mertz's numbers over the final six games were less than stellar as he completed 98 of 172 attempts (57.0%) for an average of 165.0 yards per game, with four touchdowns and five interceptions. There were mitigating circumstances to help explain the dramatic difference in the numbers. Mertz tested positive for COVID-19 the day after the opener, wide receivers Danny Davis and Kendric Pryor were both sidelined by injuries and the running game without Jonathan Taylor was plodding.

Mertz volunteered in April that a shoulder injury he suffered required weekly cortisone shots during the season. Yet all that matters as Mertz prepares for camp as the No. 1 quarterback is that he must play better than he did last season when UW finished 3-3 in the Big Ten and 4-3 overall. "I'm not one to sit here and make excuses," he said. "Having a little banged up shoulder doesn't justify losing three games and playing like that..."You go back and look at the stats, you look at the record. It's sub-par. It's not good. That's not how I want to play ball and that's not how we play ball here. "I took that personally and I'm working to make sure that never happens again." - Journal Sentinel

(DS#19 QB) rSr/2025

QB Graham Mertz, Florida
News Source: Journal Sentinel
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07/30/21 - Graham Mertz, rSr/2025, Florida, 6-3, 212 (DS#19 QB) + More +

University of Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz has been the program's leading face in drawing sponsorships for his name, image and likeness (NIL), and he added one of the top names in sports memorabilia to his portfolio Wednesday. Mertz, along with Miami quarterback D'Eriq King and Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral, announced exclusive deals with Panini America to sell signed memorabilia. A release from Panini said the company will organize public signings for Mertz and have signed products available for purchase on its website. Mertz is wearing a vintage Brett Favre Packers T-shirt in the video announcing the partnership - UW athletes can't wear or use school logos in NIL activities without licensing them. - Wisconsin State Journal

(DS#19 QB) rSr/2025

QB Graham Mertz, Florida
News Source: Wisconsin State Journal
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07/30/21 - Justin Shorter, rSr/2023, Florida, 6-4, 229 (DS#48 WR) + More +

A year removed from losing four receivers to the NFL, Florida has to replace the tandem of Trevon Grimes and Kadarius Toney, a first-round pick. Toney's jersey and position now belong to Jacob Copeland, the lone returning starter. He moved to the slot in the spring and was awarded No. 1 this offseason by Mullen. Justin Shorter also has a new number (4) and will fill the void left by Grimes outside. The Gators have several options for their third and fourth receiver spots, with sophomores such as Xzavier Henderson and Ja'Quavion Fraziars competing against upperclassmen Jordan Pouncey and Rick Wells. - Gainesville Sun

(DS#48 WR) rSr/2023

WR Justin Shorter, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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07/26/21 - Zachary Carter, rSr/2022, Florida, 6-4, 282 (DS#10 DT) + More +

Florida was picked to finish second in the SEC Eastern Division in the media's annual preseason football poll. Florida received 784 points, including seven first-place votes, while Georgia was selected as the division favorite with a total of 923 points and 124 first-place votes. Kentucky was third with 624 points. Points were awarded on a 7-6-5-4-3-2-1 scale. Last season the Gators defeated the Bulldogs at TIAA Bank Field 44-28 en route to an 8-2 record in conference play and a trip to the SEC Championship Game. Alabama was picked to win the SEC behind 84 first place votes. The Tide were also picked to win the Western Division with 932 total points, followed by Texas A&M with 760 and LSU with 633. Alabama received 130 first-place votes in the SEC West. - Gainesville Sun

(DS#10 DT) rSr/2022

DT Zachary Carter, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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07/20/21 - Brenton Cox Jr., rSr/2023, Florida, 6-4, 259 (DS#30 DE) + More +

Florida expected an instant impact when Cox took the field after transferring from Georgia. He delivered, with eight tackles, a sack and a pass breakup in last year's opener against Ole Miss. After that, meh. The former five-star recruit had some spectacular moments, but he often faded into the defensive woodwork. That's a problem in Todd Grantham's high-pressure scheme, which needs the BUCK position outside linebacker to be a disruptive menace. Consistent play is largely a focus issue, though that didn't completely explain Cox's problem. It turned out his chronically sore left foot had a crack in the fifth metatarsal. Doctors put a screw in it after the season. Cox was spotted on campus in June in a walking boot and getting around with the aid of a scooter. That sparked reports Cox would miss much of the season due to a "scooter accident," but Cox is expected to be ready by the opening game. He flashed star potential on one good foot. It will be interesting to see what Cox can do on two of them. - Gainesville Sun

(DS#30 DE) rSr/2023

DE Brenton Cox Jr., Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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07/01/21 - *Kaiir Elam, Jr/2022, Florida, 6-2, 192 (DS#5 CB) + More +

Kaiir Elam's on-field play, coupled with his online following, could create more NIL opportunities for him than any Florida player this fall. Elam, whose IG has 21.1K followers, is projected as a top-10 pick in the 2022 NFL draft. Businesses and companies will come calling for an endorsement from a player of that caliber. Elam also has his father, former NFL safety Abram Elam, to help brand himself. - Gainesville Sun

(DS#5 CB) Jr/2022

CB *Kaiir Elam, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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07/01/21 - Trey Dean III, Sr/2023, Florida, 6-2, 200 (DS#10 SS) + More +

No one on the roster rocks sweatbands, sleeves and other Gator gear with more style and swag than Trey Dean III. In fact, the senior safety has developed his own clothing line, TD3, and launched a website to sell merchandise. Dean has more than 40K combined followers on Instagram (29.4K) and Twitter (11.2K) to promote his new apparel and more. - Gainesville Sun

(DS#10 SS) Sr/2023

SS Trey Dean III, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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06/29/21 - Graham Mertz, rSr/2025, Florida, 6-3, 212 (DS#19 QB) + More +

University of Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz jumped into the NIL waters Monday, unveiling a trademark symbol. Mertz - a redshirt sophomore who became the team's starter last season - tweeted the image with the caption "Coming soon..." College athletes are set to begin earning money on their name, image and likenesses this week as state laws go into effect. NCAA President Mark Emmert told member schools last week that "interim solutions" to allow all student-athletes to profit from NIL opportunities will be in place by July 1 as the organization waits for a federal law to govern to be passed on the matter. Mertz has a Twitter following of nearly 25,000 users and an Instagram following of over 51,000 accounts. He'll be a test case for how Badgers athletes can profit from NIL sponsorships and endorsements when they're allowed later this week. - Wisconsin State Journal

(DS#19 QB) rSr/2025

QB Graham Mertz, Florida
News Source: Wisconsin State Journal
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06/14/21 - DJ Douglas, rSr/2025, Florida, 6-0, 213 (DS#74 SS) + More +

The Tulane football team has picked up Alabama transfer defensive back D.J. Douglas. Douglas, a 6-foot-0, 190-pound prospect who walked on to the Crimson Tide in 2019, will be on scholarship with the Green Wave and is expected to play cornerback and nickelback. After redshirting in 2019, he participated in Alabama's two playoff games en route to the national championship this past season. A product of Alabaster, Alabama, he received offers from Alabama State and Tuskegee out of high school according to 247Sports.com. - New Orleans Times Picayune

(DS#74 SS) rSr/2025

SS DJ Douglas, Florida
News Source: New Orleans Times Picayune
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06/05/21 - Harrison Bailey, rSr/2026, Florida, 6-5, 230 (DS#43 QB) + More +

The University of Tennessee is getting ahead of a landmark NCAA decision. UT has instituted a program with the aim of teaching athletes how to gain value from their Name, Image and Likeness. The NCAA later this month is expected to vote on proposed legislation that would allow athletes to benefit from their NIL. The state of Tennessee recently passed legislation allowing athletes to profit off of their personal business ventures, which is set to go into effect in 2022. In response, the university is developing a set of for-credit courses that will "deliver education related to brand development, marketing, communications/messaging, personal finance/financial planning and several other key elements of NIL maximization."

"Educating our student-athletes is the key to helping them maximize their opportunities relative to NIL," athletic director Danny White said in a news release. "As an institution of higher learning, it was important that our NIL program include a comprehensive educational component. This program assures current and future Vols and Lady Vols that the University of Tennessee is prepared to guide them in effectively managing, expanding and enhancing the value of their personal brands." Tennessee is also partnering with Altius Sports Partners, which will allow the athletes to confer with a number of consultants and professionals from around the nation. - Knoxville News Sentinel

(DS#43 QB) rSr/2026

QB Harrison Bailey, Florida
News Source: Knoxville News Sentinel
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05/10/21 - Tyrone Truesdell, rSr/2022, Florida, 6-2, 347 (DS#65 DT) + More +

The way Truesdell went about his decision shouldn't come as a surprise, though. He isn't a flashy player, and he has always been a quieter presence on Auburn's defense. Still, his return was a significant one for the Tigers during an offseason that saw a coaching change and the departure of several key players on that side of the ball. "I think it's great that he came back," first-year defensive line coach Nick Eason said this spring. "…Having him here and having his leadership, he's kind of the silent leader. He's not a vocal guy but he just shows up and works. That's one of the things that I admire about him." Truesdell heads into this season as Auburn's most experienced defensive player, having appeared in 44 games over the last four years while making 19 starts at tackle. During that time, he has totaled 67 tackles, including nine for a loss and three sacks, while also recovering a pair of fumbles.

The numbers haven't been gaudy, but they rarely are for a 6-foot-2, 335-pound interior defensive lineman. Still, Truesdell has been a key piece to the puzzle for Auburn up front during his career, often tasked with doing the dirty work inside to try to open things up for those around him - whether it was Bryant, Newkirk, Colby Wooden or Derick Hall last season, or the likes of Derrick Brown and Marlon Davidson in 2019. Truesdell's role will again have importance for Auburn this season, as he exited the spring with a firm grip on the starting nose tackle spot in defensive coordinator Derek Mason's 3-4 front. - Birmingham News

(DS#65 DT) rSr/2022

DT Tyrone Truesdell, Florida
News Source: Birmingham News
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05/05/21 - *Kyle Pitts, Jr/2021, Florida, 6-6, 245 (DS#1 TE) + More +

This past week's NFL Draft was an SEC reunion of sorts. There were 65 players picked out of the SEC, the most of any conference in the country. The next closest was the Big 10 with 44. The SEC set an all-time record, breaking the previous record of 64 set by, yes, the SEC. It should be no surprise the list of states with the most players in the NFL per capita is dominated by those in the south. Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida round out the top five. South Carolina and Texas come in at No. 8 and No. 10, respectively. The stranglehold the SEC has on being the top conference in the country in producing NFL players should continue for years to come. Three of the top five 2021 recruiting classes - No. 1 Alabama, No. 3 LSU and No. 4 Georgia - belonged to SEC schools, according to 247Sports. The SEC's slogan is "It Just Means More." That might as well be in reference to NFL Draft picks. - The Clarion Ledger

(DS#1 TE) Jr/2021

TE *Kyle Pitts, Florida
News Source: The Clarion Ledger
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05/02/21 - *Kyle Pitts, Jr/2021, Florida, 6-6, 245 (DS#1 TE) + More +

Kyle Pitts and Kadarius Toney on Thursday night became the first pair of Florida offensive skill players drafted in the opening round since Ike Hilliard and Reidel Anthony in 1997. Pitts played his final collegiate game in Atlanta, and will now begin his NFL career there. The Falcons selected the Mackey Award winner fourth overall, making him the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history. Toney became the first UF receiver since Percy Harvin to go in the first round, heading to the New York Giants with the 20th pick. "I've been waiting for that call my whole life," Pitts told ESPN. "When I saw my phone ring, I felt my heart drop. It's just step one in the right direction." Prior to Pitts, Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka (1961) and former Denver Broncos All-Pro Riley Odoms (1972) were the only tight ends taken in the top five. Pitts is the first Gators TE to be a first-round pick and the program's highest-drafted player at the position since Ben Troupe, a second-round selection (40th overall) in 2004. - Gainesville Sun

(DS#1 TE) Jr/2021

TE *Kyle Pitts, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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05/01/21 - *Kyle Pitts, Jr/2021, Florida, 6-6, 245 (DS#1 TE) + More +

After rewriting the school and SEC record books in his final collegiate season, Mackey Award winner Kyle Pitts made history on the opening night of the 2021 NFL draft. With the Atlanta Falcons selecting him No. 4 overall Thursday, Pitts became the highest tight end taken in the common draft era and the first Gators TE to be a first-round pick. Jordan Reed, who retired in April, was the last UF player drafted at the position (2013) and Ben Troupe had been Florida's highest draftee (second round, No. 40) prior to Pitts. He and Riley Odoms (1972) are the only tight ends to go in the top five of the NFL's common draft era (since 1967). Here's what Pitts will bring to Atlanta, where he played his last college game and broke the UF record for career receiving yards by a tight end - 1,492 yards on 100 catches (second all-time). - Gainesville Sun

(DS#1 TE) Jr/2021

TE *Kyle Pitts, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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