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2020 JOHN MACKEY AWARD PRESEASON WATCH LIST: Kyle Pitts, Florida,...The leading tight end in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns in the SEC, Pitts also finished the season ranked third nationally among FBS tight ends in receptions and seventh in receiving yards. Additionally, he was one of only nine FBS tight ends since 2015 to finish with over 50 catches, 625-plus receiving yards and five touchdowns in a season. - Florida Football

(DS#1 TE) Jr/2021

TE *Kyle Pitts, Florida
News Source: Florida Football
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07/04/20 - Kadarius Toney, Sr/2021, Florida, 6-0, 193 (DS#4 WR) + More +

Kyle Pitts, a tight end/wide receiver combo, became quarterback Kyle Trask's go-to receiver when Trask became the starter last season in mid-September. But the 6-foot-6 Pitts won't be Trask's only big target. Wide receiver Trevon Grimes is 6-5. He should improve significantly on last season's 33 catches. Everyone always is talking about Kadarius Toney's athleticism, and the former high school quarterback has as much big-play potential as anyone on Florida's offense. But Toney has been hampered by injuries and has only 50 catches in three seasons. Since the Gators lost their two most productive wide receivers from last season, that should create more opportunities for Jacob Copeland. - Knoxville News Sentinel

(DS#4 WR) Sr/2021

WR Kadarius Toney, Florida
News Source: Knoxville News Sentinel
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06/18/20 - Shawn Davis, Sr/2021, Florida, 5-11, 202 (DS#3 SS) + More +

The University of Florida will no longer use the "Gator Bait" cheer at sporting events, President Kent Fuchs announced Thursday, citing the racist imagery associated with the phrase as the primary reason behind the decision. "While I know of no evidence of racism associated with our "Gator Bait" cheer at UF sporting events, there is horrific historic racist imagery associated with the phrase," Fuchs wrote in a UF statement titled "Another Step Toward Positive Change Against Racism. "Accordingly University Athletics and the Gator Band will discontinue the use of the cheer."

The cheer typically follows a brief intro from the UF band, followed by fans chomping twice with their right arm over their left arm followed by a "Gator Bait" cheer. It's unclear if fans will still be permitted to do the chomp, which became popular following the release of the movie 'Jaws' before becoming an official tradition during the 1981 season, following Florida's decision. Furthermore, Fuchs said Florida will take steps "removing any monuments or namings that UF can control that celebrate the Confederacy or its leaders." - Gainesville Sun

(DS#3 SS) Sr/2021

SS Shawn Davis, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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06/07/20 - Reche* Caldwell, Jr/2002, Florida, 6-0, 194 (DS#5 WR) + More +

Former Florida receiver Donald 'Reche" Caldwell died Saturday night when he was apparently ambushed by gunmen and shot in Tampa, according to reports. He was 41. "I hated to hear that," said Steve Spurrier, his coach at Florida. "He had no problems when he was with us at Florida. He and Jabar Gaffney and Taylor Jacobs, they were about as good as Ike (Hilliard), Reidel (Anthony) and Quezzie (Jacquez Green) during those 1995 and '96 years. "It's sad to hear." Caldwell was a second-team, All-SEC selection in 2001 when he posted the eighth best total in UF single season history with 1,059 yards. He finished his career with 2,088 receiving yards and 18 touchdown catches, leaving school a year early to enter the NFL draft. "I'm really still trying to process it," said former teammate Jacobs. "He was a great guy, a great friend. It's just so sad. My heart goes out to the family. I'm at a loss for words." Caldwell spent six years in the NFL after being drafted by San Diego in the second round of the 2002 draft, finishing with 152 catches for 1.851 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also played for the Patriots and Redskins. - Gainesville Sun

(DS#5 WR) Jr/2002

WR Reche* Caldwell, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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06/05/20 - Brett Heggie, rSr/2021, Florida, 6-4, 310 (DS#10 C) + More +

There are two other seniors on the offensive line (tackles Stone Forsythe and Jean Delance), but Heggie has played the most and the more vocal of the three. And he plays more than one position (guard and center). He'll be expected to lead a line that is top heavy with freshmen and redshirt freshmen. - Gainesville Sun

(DS#10 C) rSr/2021

C Brett Heggie, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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05/29/20 - Trevon Grimes, Sr/2021, Florida, 6-4, 220 (DS#26 WR) + More +

A product of the powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Grimes initially began his collegiate career in Columbus with the Ohio State Buckeyes. Transferring back to his home state after one year with the Buckeyes, he was granted immediate eligibility in 2018 and caught 26 passes for 364 yards (14 avg) and two touchdowns. Last season, he upped his production to 33 receptions, 491 yards (14.9 avg) and three scores. Joining junior tight end Kyle Pitts, Grimes is one of only two of the Gators' top-six pass-catchers in 2019 returning this fall. Having the chance to be a team's No. 1 wide receiver for the first time since his high school days, Grimes posting production like Van Jefferson a year ago would go a long way toward Florida's CFP push. - Gainesville Sun

(DS#26 WR) Sr/2021

WR Trevon Grimes, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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05/23/20 - Kyle Trask, rSr/2021, Florida, 6-5, 236 (DS#7 QB) + More +

Throwing for more than 300 yards in four of the final seven games for the Gators last season, including 310 against LSU, Trask chased Feleipe Franks out of Gainesville. Trask finished the season with 2,941 yards and a 25-to-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Now the Gators are his team in 2020 and with the nation's best tight end Kyle Pitts back alongside him, the Florida offense looks primed for a leap and to make at run at Georgia for the SEC East. - Opelika-Auburn News

(DS#7 QB) rSr/2021

QB Kyle Trask, Florida
News Source: Opelika-Auburn News
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05/16/20 - Stewart Reese, rSr/2022, Florida, 6-5, 350 (DS#53 OG) + More +

Less than 48 hours after entering the transfer portal, Stewart Reese has found a new home. The former Mississippi State offensive lineman will transfer to Florida, the Gainesville Sun has learned. Jason Higdon was first to report Reese's decision. The older brother of Gators redshirt sophomore linebacker David Reese, the senior guard entered the transfer portal Thursday, becoming the fourth Bulldogs player to hit the transfer portal since Mike Leach's hiring. A native of Fort Pierce (Fl.), Reese was initially recruited to Mississippi State by Dan Mullen and John Hevesy when the pair were in Starkville. With the coronavirus pandemic limiting the opportunities for prospects to visit campuses, Reese's in-state location, coupled with a familiarity with the Florida program and coaching staff, led to a swift and timely decision. Reese, a graduate transfer expected to be immediately eligible, has a strong chance to compete for a spot in Florida's starting rotation after playing 37 games in four seasons at MSU. - Gainesville Sun

(DS#53 OG) rSr/2022

OG Stewart Reese, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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05/14/20 - Stewart Reese, rSr/2022, Florida, 6-5, 350 (DS#53 OG) + More +

With the NCAA recruiting dead period extended until June 30 - at the earliest - the recruiting efforts of athletic programs around the country have turned to virtual methods when it comes to building relationships with prospects around the country. However, that's not the case when it comes to Florida's familiarity with Mississippi State offensive lineman Stewart Reese. The older brother of Gators redshirt sophomore linebacker David Reese, the senior guard entered the transfer portal Thursday, according to a report from 247Sports, becoming the fourth Bulldogs player to hit he transfer portal since Mike Leach's hiring. If he were to pick the Gators, Reese, a graduate transfer expected to be immediately eligible, has a strong chance to compete for a spot in Florida's starting rotation after playing 37 games in four season at MSU. - Gainesville Sun

(DS#53 OG) rSr/2022

OG Stewart Reese, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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05/11/20 - Kyle Trask, rSr/2021, Florida, 6-5, 236 (DS#7 QB) + More +

No one knows yet whether there will be a college football season in 2020. But just about everyone has a pretty good idea what the financial impact will be if there isn't one. It would be devastating, potentially crippling, for schools across the country. At the University of Florida, football is the financial engine that drives the athletic department and its overall 21 sports teams. In the 2019 fiscal year, football generated a profit of $47,950,819, while men's basketball was the only other sport with a profit, bringing in $2,455,291. The 19 other programs finished the year $33,528,175 in the red. So, a season without football could deliver a dire financial blow to UF. But, for now, the University Athletic Association isn't plotting strategy and bracing for a potential financial crisis in the fall, and possibly beyond. UF is preparing as if the football season will go on as scheduled, starting on Sept. 5 in The Swamp vs. Eastern Washington.

It's not necessarily a bold or optimistic strategy. It's a matter of following the advice SEC commissioner Greg Sankey passed on to the league's 14 schools two weeks ago: "Our responsibility right now is to prepare for what's next, and what's next is the upcoming season," he said. So, at this stage, the Gators are planning for football in the fall, with the idea that fans will be in the stands. "Obviously, there is a lot of speculation out there," UF athletic director Scott Stricklin said. "If Sept. 5 comes and we're expected to be hosting people, we need to be prepared to do that. We can always adjust (to not having fans). - Gainesville Sun

(DS#7 QB) rSr/2021

QB Kyle Trask, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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05/06/20 - *Evan McPherson, Jr/2021, Florida, 5-11, 185 (DS#1 K) + More +

Perhaps the Hokie Club should start a new chapter in the University of Florida football office. Former Pulaski County High School, Virginia Tech and NFL place-kicker Shayne Graham joined the Gators in late February as a special-teams quality-control coach. He became the third ex-Hokie on Florida coach Dan Mullen's staff. The nationally ranked Gators went 12-2 last season, including an Orange Bowl win over Virginia. "There are very high expectations that are set on the [Florida] program. You kind of want to be a part of that," Graham said this week in a phone interview from his Florida home. "The weather's warm and you're in the SEC and all that, but [it's about] knowing you're in such a competitive environment and you can be a contender and … also know that it's going to be an easier situation possibly to help you get exposed for further jobs down the road." Florida defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and cornerbacks coach Torrian Gray are also former Virginia Tech players; Gray was one of Graham's teammates at Tech. Grantham and Gray have also been Tech assistants. - Roanoke Times

(DS#1 K) Jr/2021

K *Evan McPherson, Florida
News Source: Roanoke Times
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04/24/20 - *CJ Henderson, Jr/2020, Florida, 6-1, 204 (DS#2 CB) + More +

Three years ago, as a true freshman who had been on the Florida campus for a mere two months, cornerback CJ Henderson launched his college football career with back-to-back pick sixes in the first two games of the 2017 season. So, maybe everyone should have seen this coming. Henderson followed his blazing start with an outstanding career where he made many plays and was rarely beat in the UF secondary. And, now, the fantastic finale: Henderson is a first-round NFL Draft picked, selected in Round One by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the ninth overall pick Thursday night. The Jags had shown a great deal of interest in Henderson, talking to him three times leading up to the draft.

"They told me great things and felt great about me," he said. "They gave me an opportunity. I feel like I bring a lot. It feels great. I've heard great things about their defense. I plan on learning more about it and adding a spark to it. "I feel like I can work on every aspect of my game. I feel like I'm nowhere near my potential. I haven't reached that." After trading former All-Pro cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye in recent months, cornerback was a huge need for the Jags in this draft. Henderson will be counted on to make an immediate impact in replacing those two. "I'm ready for it," he said. "I'm very smart and very athletic. I plan to use that. I work very hard on the field and in the film room as well. I plan to use both of those added on to my athleticism. I plan to dominate." - Gainesville Sun

(DS#2 CB) Jr/2020

CB *CJ Henderson, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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04/23/20 - *CJ Henderson, Jr/2020, Florida, 6-1, 204 (DS#2 CB) + More +

They stayed put and made their pick. The Jaguars did so after a day of rumors and trade speculation around the league and throughout the top 10, staying at their original position at No. 9 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft and selecting a cornerback. The player: C.J. Henderson from the University of Florida. Henderson, widely rated one of the draft's best two cornerbacks, was projected as a potential Top 10 selection in many mock drafts leading into Thursday's draft. The Jaguars made the selection around 9:18 Thursday night. Henderson (6-feet-1, 204 pounds), who forewent his senior season to enter the draft, earned first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors in 2019. He played nine games and made 33 tackles with 11 passes defensed. He then missed the Gators' bowl game to stay healthy and prepare for the draft. - Jaguars.com

(DS#2 CB) Jr/2020

CB *CJ Henderson, Florida
News Source: Jaguars.com
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04/22/20 - *Percy Harvin, Jr/2009, Florida, 5-11, 192 (DS#4 WR) + More +

Percy Harvin is planning an NFL comeback nearly four years after his last game. The former Florida star and first-round draft pick by Minnesota in 2009 expects to get invited to a training camp this season and show his 32-year-old body still has what it takes to be an elite playmaker. "It's destiny," Harvin told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "There's always been something to stop me coming back. But things started slowly leading back to football and the desire started coming back." The biggest step came after hip surgery last August in Gainesville. Doctors found a blockage he said may have been there since high school. "Just had a lot of things that needed to be fixed," said Harvin, who turns 32 next month.

Harvin helped lead the Gators to their third national championship in 2008. The Vikings chose him with the 22nd overall selection a few months later. After four productive seasons in Minnesota, the Vikings traded him to Seattle for a trio of picks. He was limited to six games over two years with the Seahawks, who shipped him to the New York Jets in the middle of the 2014 season. Harvin played his final two years (2015-16) in Buffalo, where he caught 21 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown. - Gainesville Sun

(DS#4 WR) Jr/2009

WR *Percy Harvin, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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04/21/20 - *CJ Henderson, Jr/2020, Florida, 6-1, 204 (DS#2 CB) + More +

CJ Henderson's football journey has taken him five hours up the Florida Turnpike, from Miami Columbus High to Gainesville for three years as a standout cornerback with the Florida Gators. His next stop could be considerably closer. The Jacksonville Jaguars, just an hour away, hold the ninth pick in the NFL draft and need a starting cornerback to play across the field from Tre Herndon. Practically a local, Henderson makes a lot of sense in that spot even for those who don't overtly favor hometown prospects. He was a three-year starter at Florida who logged six interceptions and 20 pass breakups while showing that he never gave up on a play. He once caught speedy South Carolina receiver Deebo Samuel from behind before he could reach the goal line and sprinted across the field to tackle Tennessee tight end Austin Pope inside the five-yard line, jarring the ball loose before it bounced into the end zone for what became a touchback.

Henderson declared for the draft in December and sat out the Gators' Orange Bowl victory over Virginia to prevent possible injury. "I just felt like I was ready for the next level, the next challenge," he said of leaving college early at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. Henderson ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds at the combine and is widely considered the second-best defensive back prospect in the draft, trailing only Ohio State cornerback Jeffrey Okudah. "I'd definitely rank myself No. 1," Henderson said before adding a disclaimer. "I expect everyone else to rank themselves the same. I highly respect the rest of the corners. What separates me is that I'm a competitor and I'm very smart." - Gainesville Sun

(DS#2 CB) Jr/2020

CB *CJ Henderson, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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