Veteran Amari Burney will face some competition in 2021

Burney is set to start the opener this weekend, but linebacker is set to be a competitive spot for the Gators in 2021.

Name: Amari Burney

Number: 2

Position: Linebacker

Class: Senior

Height: 6’2″

Weight: 230 lbs

Hometown: St. Petersburg, Florida

High School: Calvary Christian

Twitter: @amari_burney

2020 statistics:

TOT SOLO SACK FF FR INT PD
52 30 2 0 0 1 2

Overview:

A four-star recruit from St. Petersburg, Burney committed to the Gators in June before his senior year of high school, and he signed with the team during the early signing period in December of 2017. He began his career as a defensive back, and saw reserve action on defense and a lot of time on special teams as a freshman, when he totaled 12 tackles and a sack.

Burney moved to linebacker ahead of his sophomore season, and he played in eight games with three starts, also seeing some action at the STAR linebacker safety hybrid position. He had 37 tackles, a fumble recovery and notched his first career interception.

Burney entered the 2020 season expected to be one of Florida’s key contributors on defense, but he saw his role diminish a bit. He appeared in every game, but started just four of them. Still, he reached a career-high in tackles with 52 and sacks with two.

Entering the 2021 season, Burney is listed as a starter at linebacker alongside Ventrell Miller. But he could be pushed by Mohamoud Diabate, who has been very impressive during his Florida career, and Ty’Ron Hopper, who enters his third season and was a role player last year.

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Back from injury, Trent Whittemore is ready to breakout

The Gainesville native is primed to have a breakout season after last year’s campaign was cut short.

Name: Trent Whittemore

Number: 14

Position: Wide Receiver

Class: Redshirt Freshman

Height: 6’4″

Weight: 211 lbs

Hometown: Gainesville, Florida

High School: Buchholz

Twitter@trentt_whitt

2020 statistics:

REC YDS AVG TD
10 128 12.8 1

Overview:

Trent Whittmore grew up in Gainesville cheering for the Gators. Now he plays for UF and is coming back from a broken rib and punctured lung as a redshirt freshman.

Whittemore returned from the injury last season to play in the Cotton Bowl, but he didn’t reach 100 percent until the summer. Healthy and ready to contribute, Whittemore will be a big part of the receiving core with Jacob Copeland and Justin Shorter.

Coming out of high school, Whittemore thought he’d play safety, but the Gators liked him more as a receiver. The three-star prospect converted without hesitation and now looks to be Emory Jones‘ man in the slot. Whittemore has learned behind guys like Kadrius Toney and Freddie Swain and says he’s ready to put his spin on things.

At 6-feet-4-inches and 211 pounds, Whittemore is a more physical receiver than the Gators normally feature in the slot. Rick Wells, Jacob Copeland and Xzavier Henderson will also get time at the position, but the rotation will help create situational matchups for the Gators.

If Whittemore stays healthy, he should be able to have a career year.

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Florida football’s future STAR might be Kamar Wilcoxson

Kamar Wilcoxson will be a difference-maker for the Gators’ secondary, but maybe not this season.

Name: Kamar Wilcoxson

Number: 26

Position: Defensive Back

Class: Freshman

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 200 lbs

Hometown: Lithonia, Georgia

High School: IMG Academy (Fla.)

Twitter@KamarWilcoxson4

2020 statistics:

TOT SOLO AST FR YDS INT YDS TD PD
3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Overview:

It took three separate commitments to the Gators to finally get Kamar Wilcoxson to Gainesville, but the redshirt freshman is now in a position to compete at the STAR position for Dan Mullen‘s team.

Wilcoxson de-committed from Florida in both 2019 and 2020 in one of the wildest recruiting sagas in recent Gators history. He made his third and final pledge to the Gators after rethinking his Tennessee commitment. From that point on it was all UF for the four-star recruit.

Originally part of the 2021 recruiting class, Wilcoxson reclassified and joined Florida in the fall of 2020. Before redshirting in his freshman year, Wilcoxson appeared in the Missouri game, collecting a tackle and a fumble recovery.

Wilcoxson hinted at an apparent injury on Twitter a week before the 2021 season, which could keep him out for much of the year. He was expected to compete for time at the STAR position behind Tre’Vez Johnson, but it looks like Jadarrius Perkins will take that backup spot in his absence.

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Ethan Pouncey is the latest of the family to start his Florida career

The Gators’ newest Pouncey is healthy and ready for action this year in the wake of Jaydon Hill’s inury.

Name: Ethan Pouncey

Number: 25

Position: Cornerback

Class: Redshirt Freshman

Height: 6’1″

Weight: 175 lbs

Hometown: Winter Park, Florida

High School: Winter Park High School

Twitter@EthanPouncey

Overview:

The Pouncey name means something at Florida and Ethan Pouncey is ready to add on to the family legacy. The former four-star cornerback and his brother Jordan, a receiver for the Gators, are the cousins of legendary Florida linemen Mike and Maurkice Pouncey.

Pouncey didn’t play a game in his first year due to season-ending hip surgery. With Jaydon Hill going down for the year with an ACL tear, Pouncey has a chance to fight for snaps. Coach Dan Mullen has mentioned Pouncey in a group of young players that could receive playing time as a result of the spot opening up. Even if he doesn’t play much, he has tons of eligibility left.

The concern with Pouncey as a recruit was that he didn’t have the size necessary to compete at the FBS level, but Florida’s strength and conditioning team has helped him bulk up over the summer. After bulking up, Pouncy could see some real development this year.

During spring camp, Pouncey showed flashes of speed and began tracking the ball well. If he can keep his skills consistent with the added weight, he could be the next Pouncey to go down in Gators history.

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A healthy David Reese could benefit the Gators linebacker core

David Reese is hoping the third time is the charm as he attempts to stay healthy this season.

Name: David Reese

Number: 4

Position: Linebacker

Class: Redshirt Junior

Height: 6’2″

Weight: 230 lbs

Hometown: Fort Pierce, Florida

High School: Vero Beach

Twitter: @DR4our

2020 statistics:

TOT SOLO SACK FF INT
3 2 0 0 0

Overview:

A four-star recruit out of high school, David Reese was recruited by Gators coach Dan Mullen as an athletic defender who could contribute to a team’s pass rush. Injuries have slowed down his career at Florida, but he looks to get back on track this season.

After redshirting in his freshman year, Reese tore Achilles and missed the entire 2019 season. He began to work on the field again in 2020 but his season ended again due to injury after appearances in just five games.

Reese has the length and athletics to be the hard-hitting linebacker Florida needed last year. Ventrell Miller is the closest Gator to being known as a big hitter, but that can easily be Reese’s role if he can fight for enough playing time. Figuring to be in front of Reese this year are Miller, Mohamoud Diabate, Amari Burney and Ty’Ron Hopper.

Reese’s older brother, Stewart, transferred to the team last year to reunite with Mullen and looks to be a leader of the offensive line. David is hungry to prove himself and earn some similar recognition if he can stay healthy.

“David has never been a sideline kid,” Reese’s mother said last year. “He hates being on the sideline. When he played basketball, he hated being on the bench. He is a hard worker, and whatever it takes for him to not have to be on the bench, he will do that.”

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Transfer Jordan Pouncey should see a bigger role in 2021

Pouncey didn’t make much of an impact in his first season with UF, but after a lot of turnover at receiver, he should see more action in 2021.

Name: Jordan Pouncey

Number: 86

Position: Wide Receiver

Class: Redshirt Senior

Height: 6’1″

Weight: 208 lbs

Hometown: Winter Park, Florida

High School: Winter Park

Twitter: @_pouncey

2020 statistics:

REC YDS AVG TD LNG
1 27 27 1 27

Overview:

A cousin of former UF star offensive linemen Mike and Maurkice Pounce, Pouncey was a three-star recruit in the 2017 recruiting class. Despite not being a blue-chip recruit, he had a multitude of high-profile offers, including from Alabama, Miami and Notre Dame. However, he chose to commit to the Texas Longhorns, where he redshirted his first year.

He made seven appearances as a redshirt freshman in 2018, but it was mostly on special teams. He didn’t make any catches, but he did set a key block on a 90-yard punt return touchdown against Kansas State.

He made his offensive debut the following year in 2019, and he totaled two catches for 19 yards in five appearances. Following the second year of minimal usage, he entered the transfer portal. Pouncey landed with Florida, who had just signed his brother, defensive back Ethan, in the 2020 recruiting class.

After arriving at Florida, he was once again relegated to a mostly reserve role. He played in five games, but he only made one catch on the year. It was a good one, though, as he snagged a 27-yard touchdown grab in the Cotton Bowl loss to Oklahoma.

Entering into 2021, Pouncey should see more reps on offense. He may be a second-team receiver, but Florida rotates through its pass-catchers often. On a team that has to replace its three leading receivers, it will turn to players like Pouncey for veteran leadership.

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Kingsley Eguakun could be the starting center in 2021

Kingsley Eguakun could be Florida’s starting center after appearing in 14 games as a reserve his first two years.

Name: Kingsley Eguakun

Number: 65

Position: Offensive Line

Class: Redshirt Sophomore

Height: 6’4″

Weight: 303 lbs

Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida

High School: Sandalwood

Twitter: @Keguakun

2020 statistics:

Appeared in all 12 games as a reserve.

Overview:

A three-star recruit out of Jacksonville, Eguakun was originally committed to play for the Gators’ rival down south in Miami. He committed to the Hurricanes in January of his junior year of high school and held to that commitment for a while. But Florida got into the running late in his recruiting process, offering him on Nov. 27.

Less than a week later on Dec. 2, he flipped to UF, signing 17 days later and then enrolling in January. Eguakun redshirted his first year on campus in 2019, though he appeared in two games as a reserve.

He only saw reserve action again as a redshirt freshman in 2020, but this time he appeared in every game. Most of his playing time came at center, and it prepared him to potentially take on a bigger role in 2021.

According to reports from practice, Eguakun has been competing for the starting center job, which could allow Florida more flexibility in determining its final lineup. Eguakun will hope his third season is the one where he makes a major impact.

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Stewart Reese set to be the veteran of the offensive line in 2021

Reese will be a starter on the offensive line this year. The only question is where.

Name: Stewart Reese

Number: 51

Position: Offensive Line

Class: Graduate Student

Height: 6’6″

Weight: 345 lbs

Hometown: Ft. Pierce, Florida

High School: Ft. Pierce Central

Previous School: Mississippi State

2020 statistics:

Appeared and started in 11 games

Overview:

Originally a three-star prospect, Reese committed to Dan Mullen back when he was the coach at Mississippi State. He signed with the Bulldogs in 2016, and after redshirting his first year on campus, he started all 13 games at right tackle as a redshirt freshman in 2017. He was a major part of the MSU rushing offense, which ranked second in the SEC.

Mullen left to take the Florida job after that year, but Reese reprised his role at right tackle again for all 13 games of the 2018 season. Heading into his redshirt junior season in 2019, he projected to be one of the best and most experienced members of the line.

He started the first seven games at right tackle once again, but he was moved to right guard for the eighth game. He appeared in three more games that year but didn’t make any starts, and he decided to enter the transfer portal ahead of his fifth season.

As a graduate transfer, Reese landed with his former coach in Mullen and also joined his brother, David, who is a linebacker with the Gators. Reese became an immediate starter at right guard, appearing in 10 of 12 games in 2020.

Reese took advantage of the extra year of eligibility afforded to athletes due to COVID-19, and he’s expected to start once again in 2021, potentially taking the spot of departing center Brett Heggie. But according to reports, Kingsley Eguakun has seen a lot of looks at center. If he gets the starting nod, it would allow Reese to return to his spot at right guard.

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Former Bears QB Mitch Trubisky hilariously recounts winning NVP in playoff loss

Mitch Trubisky recounted the moment he found out he was named the NVP of the Bears’ playoff loss to the Saints – and it’s hilarious.

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The Chicago Bears snuck into the 2020 postseason only to be ousted in the first round by the New Orleans Saints, 21-9. It was a disappointing effort all around, especially on offense.

The wild-card game was being broadcast on CBS and Nickelodeon, which featured a kid-friendly broadcast. And it gave former Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky the perfect sendoff from Chicago.

Despite the loss, Trubisky was voted the NVP — Nickelodeon’s Valuable Player — by those watching the game on Nickelodeon, and it became an instant viral moment with jokes galore.

Trubisky recently appeared on the Pardon My Take podcast, where he hilariously recounted the moment he found out he was named the NVP.

“They just told me and I was like, ‘Oh, cool. Is there like a trophy or something?'” Trubisky explained. “It was tough, because it was emotional, season just ended, we lost the game. It was a rough game, honestly. And they’re like, ‘You won something.’ I thought they were just messing with me. I was like, ‘What? The NVP sounds like MVP. There’s no way. You can’t win a MVP with a game like that.’ ‘No, the NVP… Nickelodeon Valuable Person, I guess.’ And I was like, ‘How do I qualify for that?’ ‘I don’t know, they voted for you.’ ‘Alright, thank you, I guess.'”

Trubisky faced off against his former team last Saturday, where he absolutely balled out, leading the Bills to six consecutive scoring drives — including four touchdowns — in the first half. He finished 20-of-28 for 221 yards, one touchdown and 106.4 passer rating.

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Jean Delance provides much-needed experience at right tackle

Offensive tackle Jean Delance drew the most ire from UF fans last season, but he still remains its most experienced player among the unit.

Name: Jean Delance

Number: 56

Position: Offensive Tackle

Class: Redshirt Junior

Height: 6’5″

Weight: 270 lbs

Hometown: Mesquite, Texas

High School: North Mesquite

Previous School: Texas

2020 Statistics:

Started all 12 games at right tackle

Overview:

Delance was the player that drew the most ire of Florida fans last season because of his lackluster performance at right tackle. But he is offensive line coach John Hevesy’s most experienced player as a redshirt senior.

He originally signed to play football for the Texas Longhorns out of high school where he played two games his freshman season for the Longhorn in 2016. Delance then entered the NCAA Transfer Portal and wound up with the Gators. He had to sit out the 2017 season due to transfer rules.

In his first season with Florida where he was eligible in 2018, he played in four games as a reserve offensive lineman. Delance became a starter in 2019 and started all 13 games. He also started all 12 games in 2020.

Despite his struggles at right tackle, Florida fans should expect him to start every game if he stays healthy because no other offensive linemen have pushed to take over his starting spot.

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