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UF defensive line coach David Turner raved last week about grad transfer defensive tackles Daquan Newkirk and Antonio Shelton, calling them "vital" additions to the team. Turner said they have meshed well with the rest of the players and served as role models to Florida's younger D-linemen. "I think they bring a sense of maturity and they show the younger guys how to work," Mullen said of Newkirk and Shelton. "Both of those guys have brought an unbelievable attitude within the team and with their work ethic, how they show up, how they prepare...I think those guys will make major impacts for us this year.

"You're bringing in transfers that are going to help, need based to bring them in. Not just bring in anybody. Those were, that was a need position. And the mindset of what we wanted out of those guys was that maturity, that leadership, that attitude and that's what they bring to the table." Mullen stressed that he only brings in transfers who can make an immediate impact and address depth issues, which the Gators had at defensive tackle with the departure of seniors Kyree Campbell, Tedarrell Slaton and Marlon Dunlap. - Gainesville Sun

(DS#44 DT) rSr/2022

DT Daquan Newkirk, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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03/15/21 - *Kaiir Elam, Jr/2022, Florida, 6-2, 192 (DS#5 CB) + More +

Kaiir Elam was the lone bright spot in a Florida secondary that struggled last year. The Gators finished 100th nationally in passing defense, but Elam had a strong sophomore season. He was named to the All-SEC Coaches' Football First Team after finishing with 39 tackles, two interceptions and 11 pass deflections in 12 starts. "Not good enough," Elam said of his 2020 campaign. "I feel like I left some plays out there on the field. I'm just happy I can play this season, just to get better and keep elevating my game." Elam said he hasn't set any personal goals for himself like last year, other than being a leader on defense.

He also has a corner's mentality to not give up any receptions, and playing more press coverage this fall could help him meet that high bar. "Hopefully," Elam said when asked if he will. "I feel like that's what I'm best at, just playing press man. But obviously I would like to make more plays on the ball and force more turnovers, but everything goes back to just my main goal is to help my team win. "So not allowing a receiver to catch a ball. Leading the younger guys and other corners to keep getting better each and every day. Just being a better teammate and a leader to help my team win. Really that's my only goal this year." - Gainesville Sun

(DS#5 CB) Jr/2022

CB *Kaiir Elam, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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03/14/21 - Zachary Carter, rSr/2022, Florida, 6-4, 282 (DS#10 DT) + More +

Florida defensive line coach David Turner had his football prayers answered this offseason. Defensive end Zachary Carter returned for his senior season, a smart decision according to Turner. "I told Zach I thought he had a chance if he came back to really establish himself as one of the better D-linemen," Turner said. "He knew, I think deep down, he knew he wasn't quite ready to make the jump." Turner's starting defensive tackles were, as seniors Kyree Campbell and Tedarrell Slaton moved on to the NFL instead of returning to school for their extra year of eligibility. That left the Gators with a major void inside, which was filled by the addition of grad transfers Daquan Newkirk (Auburn) and Antonio Shelton (Penn State).

"It was vital for us because we knew we needed, hopefully, a couple of older guys that fit in," Turner said. "We were fortunate to get two really good guys, not just players, but really good people. I did my homework. In this business everybody kind of knows everybody and you make phone calls. You want to make sure you're getting a guy that's going to be really good in your room. "And during the process, it's like recruiting all over again. You want to find out, No. 1, why they're leaving. No. 2, what are their goals? And No. 3, would it be a fit for you? Both of those guys checked all three boxes, and, I'm glad to have them. They've been really good for the younger guys and I think they've meshed really good with our group of guys." - Gainesville Sun

(DS#10 DT) rSr/2022

DT Zachary Carter, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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03/11/21 - Cam Carroll, rSr/2025, Florida, 6-0, 224 (DS#56 RB) + More +

The last time we saw Cameron Carroll, he was running around the right end for a meaningless 65-yard touchdown with seven seconds left in Tulane's 38-27 loss to Nevada in the Idaho Potato Bowl. He was not going to turn down free points. "Honestly, it caught me by surprise," he said after one of Tulane's early spring football practices. "I didn't expect it, but our O-line executed and the wide receivers executed. It felt great. You never give up running." His career-long carry was one of an American Athletic Conference-leading 12 rushing touchdowns and likely was a preview of many more to come.

Carroll, a sturdily built, 6-foot-0, 225-pound power back with speed, proved he could do it all in a breakout redshirt sophomore season. He rushed for 741 yards on 122 carries (6.1 average), more than doubling his total of 364 yards in 2019, and even caught a 32-yard touchdown pass against Southern Miss. "He really made a vault from two years ago to last year, and we want that same type of improvement this year," coach Willie Fritz said. "He's got all the tools. He's smart, he's tough, he's got great movement, great size and he's got excellent hands." - New Orleans Times Picayune

(DS#56 RB) rSr/2025

RB Cam Carroll, Florida
News Source: New Orleans Times Picayune
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03/09/21 - Dameon Pierce, Sr/2022, Florida, 5-10, 224 (DS#10 RB) + More +

Dameon Pierce is taking on more of a leadership role this year in Florida's deep running back room. Helping out the younger players at the position and splitting more carries with them hasn't been a challenge for him. It's coming to grips with his seniority. "Finally admitting that I'm old," Pierce quipped when asked what's the biggest change in his role. Pierce is one of just five returning starters for the Gators on offense after starting 10 of their 12 games last season, leading the team in rushing with 503 yards and four touchdowns. UF also brings back redshirt senior Malik Davis (310 yards) and redshirt sophomore Nay'Quan Wright (213 yards, two scores) from 2020. The trio of backs combined for more than 1,000 yards rushing and 752 yards in the passing game, with Davis leading the way (31 catches for 377 yards) followed by Wright (19 catches for 219 yards) and Pierce (17 catches for 156 yards, one TD). - Times Union

(DS#10 RB) Sr/2022

RB Dameon Pierce, Florida
News Source: Times Union
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03/09/21 - Stewart Reese, rSr/2022, Florida, 6-5, 350 (DS#53 OG) + More +

Florida offensive line coach John Hevesy is working with his unit and liking what he is seeing. Florida must spend this spring replacing starters at the two most important offensive line positions: center and left tackle. But a pair of departing seniors sounds a lot better than losing four of five starting linemen. That would have happened to the Gators if not for the extra year of eligibility granted to all fall sports athletes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That allowed seniors Stewart Reese and Jean Delance to come back for one more season, which UF coach Dan Mullen called "huge" for the O-line. "It's valuable to have those two back for me," position coach and running game coordinator John Hevesy said. "For (Reese) obviously to get his master's degree and also obviously just get back in shape after the layover he had from leaving Mississippi State to come here and then with COVID. … It's really beneficial for him this offseason to get himself in great shape to play. - Gainesville Sun

(DS#53 OG) rSr/2022

OG Stewart Reese, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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02/22/21 - Keon Zipperer, rSr/2025, Florida, 6-1, 242 (DS#10 FB) + More +

Jacob Copeland and Justin Shorter are next in line for the Gators at wide receiver, but who will step up at tight end with Kyle Pitts declaring early for the NFL? Seniority at the position belongs to Kemore Gamble, but junior Keon Zipperer has a chance to become a weapon on offense and double his numbers from the past two years (14 catches for 176 yards and three touchdowns). He produced last season with Pitts out, making three receptions for 47 yards and two scores (all career-highs) against Arkansas. - Gainesville Sun

(DS#10 FB) rSr/2025

FB Keon Zipperer, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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02/19/21 - Zachary Carter, rSr/2022, Florida, 6-4, 282 (DS#10 DT) + More +

Florida defensive end Zachary Carter made the decision to return for his redshirt senior season. Fielding questions from the media Thursday night following Florida's first spring practice, Zachary Carter handled himself like a pro at the podium. He could have turned pro after leading the Gators in sacks (5.0) and tackles for loss (9.5) last year, but also considered his other future profession. "I think I'll do good on that side of the camera," Carter told reporters after revealing that he's majoring in journalism at UF. "I really want to get my degree."

Graduation was one of the main reasons he decided to come back to school for his redshirt senior season. Despite his NFL aspirations and potential, Carter is mindful of his post-playing career. "I just know that this football stuff, it doesn't last forever," he said. "I'm excited that I could possibly have a future in the NFL, but everybody says it stands for "Not For Long." "So it's just good to have that degree. I think more guys should have that attitude towards football and school, but everybody's in a different situation. But that was a big thing for me." - Gainesville Sun

(DS#10 DT) rSr/2022

DT Zachary Carter, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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01/29/21 - Kyle Trask, rSr/2021, Florida, 6-5, 236 (DS#7 QB) + More +

Florida's Kyle Trask was named the winner of the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, SPORTyler and the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce announced on Thursday night. Trask threw for 4,283 yards (No. 2 in the FBS) and 43 touchdowns (No. 1 in the FBS). He also accounted for 46 total touchdowns, which was second only to Tim Tebow's 55 in 2007 on UF's single-season record list. After his historic season for the Gators, Trask joins the company of other notable winners of the award such as Baker Mayfield (2017), Kyler Murray (2018) and J.K. Dobbins (2019). - Gainesville Sun

(DS#7 QB) rSr/2021

QB Kyle Trask, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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01/16/21 - Jace Christmann, rSr/2022, Florida, 6-0, 200 (DS#34 K) + More +

Kicker Jace Christmann has decided to play for Dan Mullen...again. After committing to Mullen as a recruit and playing two years under him at Mississippi State, Christmann announced Friday he's joining the Florida program as a graduate transfer. He will replace UF starter Evan McPherson, who declared for the NFL draft earlier this month, on the roster. Christmann leaves MSU as the school's all-time leader in scoring (219), owns the record for consecutive PATs made (95) and tied for the best field-goal percentage in school history (80 percent). - Gainesville Sun

(DS#34 K) rSr/2022

K Jace Christmann, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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01/15/21 - Daquan Newkirk, rSr/2022, Florida, 6-3, 328 (DS#44 DT) + More +

Former Auburn defensive tackle Daquan Newkirk will finish his career in his home state while remaining in the SEC. Newkirk, who announced over the weekend his intent to leave Auburn, committed to Florida on Thursday. Newkirk was a senior last season for Auburn and should be immediately eligible as a graduate transfer at Florida. A native of Orlando, Fla., Newkirk spent the last three seasons at Auburn after originally committing as part of the Tigers' 2015 class but instead started his career in the junior college ranks. He joined Auburn in 2018, but his first two years were marred by two separate Achilles injuries. He finished his Auburn career with 39 tackles, including four for a loss and 1.5 sacks. - Birmingham News

(DS#44 DT) rSr/2022

DT Daquan Newkirk, Florida
News Source: Birmingham News
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01/13/21 - Trey Dean III, Sr/2023, Florida, 6-2, 200 (DS#10 SS) + More +

As expected, Florida safety Trey Dean III will come back for his senior season. He announced the decision on social media Tuesday. Dean started the final two games of 2020 and finished the year with 34 tackles and an interception. Dean started as a freshman at cornerback before switching to nickel in 2019. He made the move to safety prior to last season and started twice in place of the injured Shawn Davis. - Gainesville Sun

(DS#10 SS) Sr/2023

SS Trey Dean III, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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01/07/21 - *Kyle Pitts, Jr/2021, Florida, 6-6, 245 (DS#1 TE) + More +

2020 JOHN MACKEY AWARD WINNER: Kyle Pitts, Florida,...Florida's Kyle Pitts was named the winner of the John Mackey Award, which is presented annually to college football's most outstanding tight end. Pitts is the second tight end in school history to win the Mackey Award, joining a Gators tight end who won the award in 2009. Ben Troupe (2003) and Jake McGee (2015) were named finalists in their respective years. Pitts quickly became the best tight end and one of the top pass catchers in the country this season with 43 receptions, 770 yards and 12 touchdowns. - Florida Football

(DS#1 TE) Jr/2021

TE *Kyle Pitts, Florida
News Source: Florida Football
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01/07/21 - *Kyle Pitts, Jr/2021, Florida, 6-6, 245 (DS#1 TE) + More +

2020 BILETNIKOFF AWARD FINALIST: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida,...Florida tight end Kyle Pitts had 43 receptions in eight games for 770 yards, averaging 17.9 yards per catch and 96 yards receiving per game. His 12 receiving touchdowns rank fourth among FBS players. - Biletnikoff Award

(DS#1 TE) Jr/2021

TE *Kyle Pitts, Florida
News Source: Biletnikoff Award
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01/07/21 - Kyle Trask, rSr/2021, Florida, 6-5, 236 (DS#7 QB) + More +

2020 DAVEY O'BRIEN NATIONAL QUARTERBACK AWARD FINALIST: Kyle Trask, Florida,...Trask, a senior from Manvel, Texas, has completed 285 of 409 passes (.697) for 4,125 yards and 43 touchdowns, leading the country in both yards and passing scores. In addition, he ranks first in points responsible for (278) and is second in total QBR (90.4). In 11 games, the 6-5, 240-pound signal caller has nine 300-yard passing efforts, topping the 400-yard plateau five times, and had seven tilts with at least four touchdown passes. His 379.5 total yards of offense per game ranks third nationally. Trask has steered Florida to an 8-3 overall record and the No. 7 ranking in the College Football Playoff Rankings. - Davey O'Brien Award

(DS#7 QB) rSr/2021

QB Kyle Trask, Florida
News Source: Davey O'Brien Award
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