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 Draft Scout College Football Player News: Florida
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  Two transfers that could have an immediate impact are Arizona State receiver Ricky Pearsall and right guard O'Cyrus Torrence. Pearsall is currently projected as second on the depth chart in the slot behind Trent Whittemore after finishing with a team-high 580 yards and 4 TDs. Torrence, at 6-foot-5 and 347 pounds, was named preseason first team All-SEC after transferring from Louisiana and is considered one of the top offensive linemen in the country. - Gainesville Sun

Sr/2023 OG OCyrus TorrenceFlorida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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  2022 PRESEASON CHUCK BEDNARIK AWARD WATCH LIST: Brenton Cox, Florida, Senior LB,...Cox has also collected All-SEC Preseason Second Team honors from Athlon, Phil Steele and the media at SEC Media Days. Cox Jr. owned team-best in TFLs (14.5), sacks (8.5) and quarterback hurries (12) last season. Starting all 13 games last year, he posted back-to-back games against Florida State and UCF with 4.0 TFLs totaling a loss of 48 yards. In the final five games of the 2021 season, Cox Jr. had 20 tackles, 11 TFLs, seven sacks and six QBHs. - Florida Football

rSr/2023 DE Brenton Cox Jr.Florida
News Source: Florida Football
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  Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst didn't say much at the podium Wednesday, but he did praise quarterback Graham Mertz's progress as a leader. "I've appreciated the way that Graham has approached this offseason," Chryst said. "He's taken ownership of the things he needs to do and does a great job of communicating and working with the rest of the players. "I think a good leader shows you how to lead by example but also how you can help others be the best that they can be. I've seen him do that." - Lincoln Journal Star

rSr/2025 QB Graham MertzFlorida
News Source: Lincoln Journal Star
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  Graham Mertz studied history earlier this summer, Wisconsin football history. His teachers: Former UW quarterbacks Scott Tolzien, who started a total of 26 games in 2009 and 2010; and Brooks Bollinger, who started a total of 42 games from 1999 through 2002. "The coolest part of them is that both of them wanted to start like a quarterback fraternity," Mertz said Wednesday on Day 2 of the Big Ten preseason meetings. "That is one thing I really want to do when I leave here is be connected to the guys younger than me." Mertz has 20 starts on his UW résumé, seven in the COVID-affected 2020 season and 13 last season.

The Badgers are 13-7 in those 20 games and Mertz will be the first to tell you he needs to make more plays and commit fewer turnovers. According to Mertz, he was able to meet with Tolzien for nearly two hours. He chatted less formally with Bollinger throughout Braelon Allen's charity softball game in Fond du Lac. "Their biggest thing was: 'Whatever you need, whenever you need it, hit us up,'" Mertz said. "The biggest thing was that they wanted to get to know me and I wanted to get to know them. It was great." - Journal Sentinel


rSr/2025 QB Graham MertzFlorida
News Source: Journal Sentinel
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  2022 PRESEASON OUTLAND TROPHY WATCHLIST: OT O'Cyrus Torrence, Florida,...Torrence collects another preseason nod as he was named a Preseason All-American by Phil Steele, Sporting News and Walter Camp. A native of Greensburg, La., he has earned preseason All-SEC honors by Athlon, Phil Steele, and media at SEC Media Days. A transfer from Louisiana, he was Shaun Alexander Freshman All-American and a two-time Joe Moore Award Semifinalist. The 2021 First Team All-Sun Belt selection, Torrence helped the Ragin' Cajuns offense ranked tied 10th nationally and first in the Sun Belt in rushing touchdowns (34), tied 18th in the country in total touchdowns (58), conference leaders and tied 23rd nationally in first downs (313). - Florida Football

Sr/2023 OG OCyrus TorrenceFlorida
News Source: Florida Football
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  2022 PRESEASON OUTLAND TROPHY WATCHLIST: DT Gervon Dexter, Florida,...Dexter Sr. was also named a Preseason All-American by Sporting News and Walter Camp along with preseason All-SEC by Athlon, Phil Steele, and from the media at SEC Media Days. He started nine games and appeared in all 13 while ranking fifth in tackles with 51. The junior had 12 multi-tackle performances, including two games with nine vs. Alabama and UCF. He finished ranking second on the team with seven quarterback hurries. - Florida Football

Jr/2023 DT *Gervon DexterFlorida
News Source: Florida Football
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  2022 PRESEASON BUTKUS AWARD WATCHLIST: Ventrell Miller, Florida,...Miller returns after missing the majority last year due to injury. He has played in 38 career games for the Orange and Blue posting 166 tackles, 15 TFLs, 7.5 sacks and six pass breakups. The Lakeland, Fla. native also is a two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient and SEC Defensive Player of the Week. In his freshman season, he recorded an 82-yard interception return for a touchdown against Idaho for the ninth-longest in school history. - Florida Football

rSr/2023 ILB Ventrell MillerFlorida
News Source: Florida Football
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  After last year's loss to Missouri, the Gators made a change. Former head coach and noted Tiger antagonist Dan Mullen was let go and Billy Napier was hired in his place. At his first media days in charge, Napier said he was excited to get started in Gainesville. "This group has embraced the work," Napier said. "I'm proud of our team. This team is not scared. They're tough, they love to compete. When you put the ball down, they're about it. I'm excited about training camp." Napier and the Gators will benefit from a solid quarterback in 2022, as Anthony Richardson is projected to be one of the top players in the nation at that position. The coach said he has been impressed by Richardson. "He has tremendous ability," Napier said. "He's working hard to develop, improve as a person, as a leader. He's working hard to increase his football IQ. His skill is developing. I think he's prime to have a phenomenal year." - Columbia Daily Tribune

rSo/2023 QB *Anthony RichardsonFlorida
News Source: Columbia Daily Tribune
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  In case you didn't keep tabs on Anthony Richardson's offseason, these were the pivotal moments for Florida's quarterback: He recovered from knee surgery, seized the starting job during spring practice, was cited for driving faster than 100 mph, uncorked a 73-yard throw at the Manning Passing Academy and, more recently, rebranded by un-branding. It's all part of a progression that first-year head coach Billy Napier contends is more important than arm strength or mechanics. "I think he's working hard on his leadership, his maturity, really growing up as a person, improving his character," Napier said Wednesday at SEC Media Days. "When you start talking about quarterback, we're not just talking about physical ability. We're talking about awareness. We're talking about the ability to influence the other people around you. To change the room when you walk in because of your credibility, your example."

A third-year sophomore with limited-but-dazzling experience, Richardson repeatedly has heard from Napier on the finer points of commanding a team. "I can't be careless anymore," he said. "Like people say, I'm the face of the program, so I need to act like it. I talk to Coach Napier almost every day, and he tells me I've got to move like a head coach. "There's a lot on my plate. There's a lot at stake for me and my family and the team, the university. So I have to move smart. I have to do the right thing every single day." - The Athletic


rSo/2023 QB *Anthony RichardsonFlorida
News Source: The Athletic
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  2022 PRESEASON RIMINGTON TROPHY WATCHLIST: Kingsley Eguakun, Florida,...Eguakun started in all 13 games at center...Helped the offense stay in the top-16 in total offense all year...Part of a line that only allowed 14 sacks/1.08 per game, tied for the seventh-lowest in FBS and second in the SEC. - Florida Football

rJr/2024 C Kingsley EguakunFlorida
News Source: Florida Football
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  Ventrell Miller finished the season facing the same question as the year before. Should I stay or should I go? "I always felt like I had unfinished business here," Miller said. He was still rehabbing in spring practice, and he missed a lot of practice taking a class offered only on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. When Miller did practice, he made an impression on the new staff. "He's a vocal guy," Coach Billy Napier said. "He's got great presence and energy. And he's certainly been a productive player."

The new defensive scheme should offer Miller more freedom to blitz, fly around and be his reckless self. Motivation will not be an issue. "It's a personal year for me," Miller said. He sounded like the "This time it's personal," tagline from "Jaws: The Revenge." It was the last and arguably the worst of "Jaws" sequels. That aside, Miller relishes the thought of again playing the role of the merciless football predator. "I'm back," he proclaimed at Media Days. And with no sling, he's looking better than ever. - Gainesville Sun


rSr/2023 ILB Ventrell MillerFlorida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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  Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson says he will no longer use his nickname "AR-15" due to having similarities with the weapon often used in mass shootings. In a statement released Sunday, the Gainesville native said he doesn't want to be associated with the assault rifle used in shootings, which he doesn't condone in any way. Richardson, 21, who is expected to become the Gators starting QB for the upcoming season, recently launched a clothing line under the same moniker. He said he plans to rebrand that as well.

"After discussions with my family and much thought, I have decided to no longer use the nickname 'AR-15' and the current apparel line logo, which features a scope reticle, as part of my branding," Richardson said. "While a nickname is only a nickname and 'AR-15' was simply a representation of my initials combined with my jersey number, it is important to me that my name and brand are no longer associated with the assault rifle that has been used in mass shootings, which I do not condone in any way or form. My representatives and I are currently working on rebranding, which includes the creation of a new logo and transitioning to simply using 'AR' and my name, Anthony Richardson." - Gainesville Sun


rSo/2023 QB *Anthony RichardsonFlorida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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  2022 PRESEASON MAXWELL AWARD WATCH LIST: Anthony Richardson, Florida,...The Maxwell Award has been presented to the College Player of the Year since 1937 as Florida has had three award winners, including Tim Tebow back-to-back years (2008 & 2009). Last season, Richardson appeared in eight games and totaled 930 total yards of offense with 401 on the ground and 529 in the air. He was selected to the All-SEC Freshman Team becoming the Gators' first quarterback since 2014 behind two 150-plus yard passing and 115-plus rushing performances. Richardson started the second half at LSU and went 10-19 with 167 yards, three passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown. - Florida Football

rSo/2023 QB *Anthony RichardsonFlorida
News Source: Florida Football
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  2022 WALTER CAMP PRESEASON SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICAN: DL Gervon Dexter (Florida),...As a sophomore in 2021, appeared in all 13 games this season, starting at DL in nine games… Had a team-high nine tackles (eight solo) with a TFL in the Gasparilla Bowl vs. UCF (Dec. 23)... Collected one assisted tackle against Florida State (Nov. 27)… Registered two solo tackles, including a tackle for a loss of two yards, against Missouri (Nov. 20)… Tallied six tackles (three solo), including 0.5 a sack of three yards, and one pass breakup against Samford (Nov. 13)… Credited with two solo tackles and a quarterback hurry against South Carolina (Nov. 6)… Recorded three tackles (one solo) and one quarterback hurry against Georgia (Oct. 30)… Registered four tackles against LSU (Oct. 16)… Logged three tackles and three QBH against Vanderbilt (Oct. 9)… Tallied three tackles (two solo) against Kentucky (Oct. 2)… Logged five tackles, including 0.5 sack and one QBH, against Tennessee (Sept. 25)… Tallied nine tackles, including his first solo sack, against Alabama (Sept. 18)… Registered two assisted tackles against South Florida (Sept. 11)… Recorded two tackles (one solo), including 0.5 sack, a QBH and two forced fumbles in Florida's season opener against Florida Atlantic (Sept. 4). - Florida Football

Jr/2023 DT *Gervon DexterFlorida
News Source: Florida Football
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  2022 WALTER CAMP PRESEASON FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICAN: OL O'Cyrus Torrence (Florida),... Transferred from Louisiana and joined the Gators during the spring semester. Prior to Florida - 2021: (Junior) at Louisiana. Started and appeared in 11 games...Named First Team All-Sun Belt Conference...Member of the offense line that earned back-to-back Joe Moore Award Semifinalist honors...Part of the O-line that only allowed 1.86 sacks per game...Helped offense ranked tied 10th nationally and first in the Sun Belt in rushing touchdowns (34), tied 18th in the country in total touchdowns (58), conference leaders and tied 23rd nationally in first downs (313). - Florida Football

Sr/2023 OG OCyrus TorrenceFlorida
News Source: Florida Football
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