Category: Player Profile Card

Keyontae Johnson’s scary collapse interrupted a brilliant career

Johnson was on track to have one of the top seasons of any player in the country this year before his health scare jeopardized his career.

Name: Keyontae Johnson

Number: 11

Position: Forward

Class: Junior

Height: 6’5″

Weight: 229 lbs

Hometown: Norfolk, Va.

High School: Oak Hill Academy

Twitter: @Keyontae

2020 statistics:

GP FG% REB AST PTS
4 64.1 4.5 1.3 16

Overview:

Johnson was a four-star recruit in the 2018 recruiting class, and he saw immediate action as a freshman. He played in 36 games (starting 20 of them), totaling four double-doubles on the year (including three in postseason play. He finished the year averaging 8.1 points and 6.4 rebounds, and he entered his sophomore season with high expectations.

Johnson lived up to those expectations in 2019-20, and then some. He led the team in scoring with 14 points per game and he also averaged 7.1 rebounds. He had eight double-doubles (which, conveniently, doubled his total from the prior year). Johnson finished second on the team in rebounding and first in steals with 38. For his efforts, he was named to the coaches First Team All-SEC and the AP Second Team All-SEC.

The season was canceled before Florida’s first SEC Tournament game due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Johnson entered his junior year as the preseason SEC Player of the Year. Through the first four games, he appeared to be on track, scoring double figures in three of them with a high of 24 against Boston College.

However, early in UF’s fourth game against FSU, Johnson collapsed and had to be taken off the court and to a hospital, where he was listed in critical but stable condition. He has since started to recover, and he closed out the season in a new role as “Coach Key” on the sidelines. Florida hasn’t made his diagnosis public, but it did say its experts don’t believe the collapse to have been related to his previous diagnosis with COVID-19.

Now, his future is a bit in question. If he is medically cleared to play in 2021-22 and chooses to return to Florida, he will be surrounded by a lot of new faces after a mass transfer exodus. But if he comes back to the court, it will be huge for UF next season.

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Gators add a big-time scorer via transfer portal in Brandon McKissic

Brandon McKissic joins the Gators as a graduate transfer after a stellar final season at Missouri-Kansas City.

Name: Brandon McKissic

Number: TBA

Position: Guard

Class: Graduate

Height: 6’3″

Weight: 195 lbs

Hometown: Ferguson, Mo.

High School: St. Louis University

Previous School: Missouri-Kansas City

2020-21 statistics:

GP MIN FG% 3P% FT% REB AST BLK STL PF TO PTS
18 34 50.8 42.9 66.7 3.7 3.3 0.1 1.5 2.8 3 17.2

Overview:

A Ferguson, Mo., native, McKissic wasn’t a highly recruited player despite being a standout at St. Louis University High School. He was unranked on the 247Sports Composite, and he decided to stay relatively close to home and play college basketball at Missouri-Kansas City.

His freshman season with the Roos, he started 20 games and appeared in 31, averaging 7.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists. The rebound and assist numbers stayed relatively similar in his sophomore year, but he started 28 games and boost his scoring average to 10.5 points as he started 28 games.

McKissic only started 21 of 28 games his junior year, but he still managed to lead the team in scoring averaging 11 points per game. His best season by far, though, came his senior year.

He averaged 17.2 points per game while still managing to shoot above 50% for the second year in a row. Additionally, he managed career-high averages in rebounding (3.7), assists (3.3) and steals (1.5). With all players being granted an additional year of eligibility due to COVID-19, McKissic decided to try his hand at big-time college basketball and announced he would be transferring as a graduate. He officially committed to Florida on April 2.

UF has to replace a lot of production next season, but additions like McKissic should help. He will likely be a Day 1 starter at guard.

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Talented Penn State scorer Myreon Jones could take Gators’ offense to the next level

UF landed a talented scorer from Penn State this offseason via the transfer portal, which should offset some of its losses this offseason.

Name: Myreon Jones

Number: TBA

Position: Guard

Class: Junior

Height: 6’3″

Weight: 180 lbs.

Hometown: Suwannee, Ga.

High School: Lincoln Academy

Previous School: Penn State

Twitter: @MyreonJones21

2020-21 statistics:

GP MIN FG% 3P% FT% REB AST BLK STL PF TO PTS
25 30.3 39.4 39.5 77.3 2.7 2 0.1 1.3 1.4 1.2 15.3

Overview:

Jones wasn’t a big-time recruit coming out of the Lincoln Academy in Suwannee, Georgia. As a three-star recruit, his only major college basketball offers came from Penn State and Memphis. He chose to play for the Nittany Lions. He averaged just over 10 minutes per game in 30 games as a freshman, though he averaged just four points a game.

He became a starter as a sophomore in 2019-20 (starting all but one contest), and he boosted his scoring average to 13.3 while averaging three assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals. He was given an All-Big Ten honorable mention for his efforts.

Jones was once again very productive offensively, averaging a career-best 15.3 points, but his shooting percentage dropped from over 44% to just 39.4%. After a losing season for the Nittany Lions, he decided to transfer for his final season of eligibility.

He was one of the top transfers available on the market, and he announced on Twitter last week he planned to join the Gators. After losing six players this offseason between the transfer portal and the draft, Florida will likely start Jones at one of the guard spots. Being a senior, he may have to be a leader on his new squad sooner rather than later.

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Running back Malik Davis hopes to close out Florida career on a positive note

Davis hasn’t been able to match the production from his freshman season, but he’ll hope that in Year 5 he can reach his full potential.

Name: Malik Davis

Number: 20

Position: Running Back

Class: Redshirt Junior

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 205 pounds

Hometown: Tampa, Fla.

High School: Jesuit

Twitter: @Campaign_Lik

2020 statistics:

ATT YDS AVG TD LNG REC YDS AVG TD LNG FUM LST
66 310 4.7 0 39 31 377 12.2 0 39 0 0

Overview:

A three-star recruit out of Tampa, Davis wasn’t expected to contribute much as a true freshman when he signed with former Gators coach Jim McElwain. But during his first year on campus on 2017, he was one of the lone bright spots in an anemic Florida offense. He played in seven games (and started two) before an injury ended his season, but he still managed to finish second on the team in rushing with 526 yards and two touchdowns on 79 carries.

He was expected to be a major part of the offense in 2018, but just three games into the season, he suffered another injury that ended his campaign, as he finished with just 61 yards on 13 carries. He took a medical redshirt for the season.

Davis returned healthy for the 2019 season, but he saw his role on the team diminish considerably. Florida didn’t run the ball much, and Davis found himself third on the depth chart behind Lamical Perine and Dameon Pierce. Despite appearing in 12 games, he only had 86 yards on 34 carries with a touchdown.

He slightly returned to form in 2020, though UF’s run game as a whole struggled once again. Davis played in all 12 games and started two of them, finishing with 310 yards on 66 carries, the most since his freshman season. He didn’t manage a touchdown, though.

Davis returns for his final season of eligibility as a redshirt senior in 2021, and though he’ll likely be playing behind Pierce (and will have to compete with former five-stars Lorenzo Lingard and Demarkcus Bowman, as well as Nay’Quan Wright for backup reps), he’ll try to maximize the potential he’s shown in flashes throughout his career.

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Dameon Pierce returns for senior year to lead Florida’s running back group

Pierce returns to Gainesville for his final season looking to lead a running back group that has been a bit of an afterthought.

Name: Dameon Pierce

Number: 27

Position: Running Back

Class: Junior

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 215 pounds

Hometown: Bainbridge, Ga.

High School: Bainbridge

Twitter: @IRep229

2020 statistics:

ATT YDS AVG TD LNG REC YDS AVG TD LNG FUM LST
106 503 4.7 4 38 17 156 9.2 1 35 0 0

Overview:

One of Florida’s most reliable running backs throughout his collegiate career, Pierce joined the Gators as a four-star recruit from Georgia in the 2018 recruiting class. He saw action right away as a true freshman, playing in all 13 games as a backup running back and special teams player. He finished with 69 carries for 424 yards and two touchdowns (in addition to a touchdown through the air).

As a sophomore in 2019, he was Florida’s No. 2 back behind senior Lamical Perine, but he saw his production dip a bit as he appeared in 12 games. He only had 54 carries on the season for 305 yards and a touchdown as UF’s entire run game struggled that season.

Entering his junior year in 2020, Pierce figured in as the Gators’ top back. He started 10 of Florida’s 12 games and appeared in all of them. The run game was a bit of an afterthought as quarterback Kyle Trask led a record-breaking passing offense, but Pierce finished as the leader among Gators backs with 503 yards and four touchdowns (plus another receiving touchdown).

Pierce elected to return to Florida for his senior season, and with Emory Jones taking over as starter, the run game will likely be a much bigger factor this season. And if the rushing attack takes a step forward, Pierce will be the biggest beneficiary in a talented backfield that has underproduced recently.

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Demarkcus Bowman joins Gators looking for new beginning

Former five-star Demarkcus Bowman transferred after just two games at Clemson. Now, he looks for a fresh start in Gainesville.

Name: Demarkcus Bowman

Number: 23

Position: Running Back

Class: Redshirt Freshman

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 190 pounds

Hometown: Lakeland, Fla.

High School: Lakeland

Twitter: @Bowman_22

2020 statistics:

ATT YDS AVG TD LNG REC YDS AVG TD LNG FUM LST
9 32 3.6 0 10 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0

Overview:

A five-star recruit from Lakeland and the No. 4 running back in the state of Florida coming out of high school, UF coach Dan Mullen made quite a run at the talented player coming out of high school, but he eventually committed to and signed with Clemson.

He appeared in two games as a freshman with the Tigers, totaling just 32 yards on nine carries before he made the surprising decision to transfer. He said the decision came after both of his grandfathers passed away and he wanted to be closer to home.

Now, Bowman joins a talented running back group, and Mullen gets the guy he wanted all along. The battle for carries is going to be fierce, as Bowman will have to compete with incumbents Dameon Pierce, Malik Davis and Nay’Quan Wright, as well as Lorenzo Lingard, another former five-star transfer who saw minimal action in 2020.

The Gators lose their star quarterback in Kyle Trask, and with likely new starter Emory Jones having a much more run-oriented skillset, Florida’s offense will likely focus much more heavily on the run game and the use of the quarterback option. Given Bowman’s talented, that could suit him nicely.

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Evan McPherson leaves as one of the most accomplished kickers in UF history

As the all-time leader in career field goal percentage for the SEC, McPherson could be one of the rare specialists selected in the draft.

Name: Evan McPherson

Number: 19

Position: Kicker

Class: Junior

Height: 6’1″

Weight: 185 pounds

Hometown: Fort Payne, Ala.

High School: Fort Payne

Twitter: @McPherson_Evan

2020 statistics:

FG% FG 1-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50+ LNG XPM XPA PTS
77.3 17-22 0-0 4-4 7-7 2-4 4-7 55 52 52 103

Overview:

McPherson, the top kicker in the country in the 2018 recruiting class, originally committed to Dan Mullen at Mississippi State in April 2017. When Mullen left Starkville for the Florida job, McPherson’s commitment followed him. He flipped to the Gators on Dec. 10, 2017, and he started right away as the previous kicker Eddy Pineiro had left for the draft.

As a freshman, he went 17 of 19 on field-goal attempts and had a 3-of-4 mark from 40+ yards. He was 17 of 19 again as a sophomore in 2019, this time hitting 7 of 8 from over 40 (including a then career-long 50-yarder). He led the SEC in field goal percentage that season.

His percentage dipped a bit as a junior in 2020, as he hit just 17 of his 22 attempts. He was used more on long attempts, though, and he fared well, hitting 4 of 7 from over 50 yards. He drilled a career-long 55-yard field goal against Ole Miss in the season opener, which is the third-longest kick in school history. He scored 103 points on the year, which led the team.

McPherson made a bit of a surprising move in declaring for the 2021 NFL draft following his junior season. As the all-time leader in career field goal percentage for the SEC, McPherson could be one of the rare specialists selected in the draft.

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Marco Wilson finishes tumultuous career in the Orange and Blue

Defensive back Marco Wilson finishes an up-and-down Florida career that saw many positive moments but many regretful ones, as well.

Name: Marco Wilson

Number: 3

Position: Defensive Back

Class: Redshirt Junior

Height: 6-foot-1

Weight: 191 pounds

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

High School: American Heritage

Twitter: @MJW_era

2020 statistics:

TOT SOLO AST SACK FF FR YDS INT YDS AVG TD LNG
33 24 9 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

Overview:

Marco Wilson joined the Gators with high expectations as a four-star recruit and the younger brother of Quincy Wilson, a star cornerback who had left for the draft the prior year. In 2017, he became just the fourth true freshman in school history to start at cornerback on opening day. Wilson went on to start all 11 games that season, notching 34 tackles and a team-high 10 pass breakups (the most by a true freshman since Vernon Hargreaves’ 11 in 2013).

He entered 2018 with high expectations, as he was selected to the Preseason All-SEC Third Team. But he suffered a season-ending injury in the second game, and he took a medical redshirt.

He returned in 2019 and started all 13 games. It was his best season at UF, as he had 36 tackles (2.5 for loss) and three interceptions.

During his final season in 2020, he struggled at times. He played in nine games (starting eight of them), and he had 33 tackles and four pass breakups. His season is perhaps best remembered for the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty he drew for throwing an LSU player’s cleat after a third-down stop, setting up a game-winning drive.

After the season, he declared for the 2021 NFL Draft, where he is considered to be a potential Day 3 pick.

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Kyle Trask ends Florida career with record-setting 2020 season

Kyle Trask finishes his Florida career as the school’s sixth all-time leader in career passing touchdowns despite only starting 22 games.

Name: Kyle Trask

Number: 11

Position: Quarterback

Class: Redshirt Senior

Height: 6-foot-5

Weight: 240 pounds

Hometown: Manvel, Tex.

High School: Manvel

Twitter: @ktrask9

2020 statistics:

CMP ATT CMP% YDS AVG TD INT LNG RTG
301 437 68.9 4,283 9.8 43 8 71 180

Overview:

Kyle Trask finishes his Florida career as the school’s sixth all-time leader in career passing touchdowns despite only starting 22 games. He finished his career with arguably the best season of any quarterback in school history in 2020, setting single-season school records in passing touchdowns (43) and passing yards (4,283) despite a shortened season against SEC-only competition.

For a while, though, it appeared Trask might not get his chance. He wasn’t even expected to get an offer at Florida. A backup in high school to D’Eriq King (now the starter at Miami), Trask’s only Division I offers other than UF were Houston Baptist, Lamar and McNeese State. But former coach Jim McElwain liked what he saw when Trask camped with the Gators, and he brought him on.

Trask joined the class with top quarterback recruit Feleipe Franks, and both redshirted their first seasons in Gainesville in 2016. The following year, Trask suffered an injury before the season that held him out the entirety of 2017. Meanwhile, Franks became the starter.

After a rocky first year under center for Franks, McElwain was fired and replaced with Dan Mullen. Franks initially struggled in 2018 and was benched during a blowout loss to Missouri for Trask. But a foot injury following that game ended Trask’s season, and he finished with 162 yards and a touchdown on 14-of-22 passing.

Trask entered the 2019 season as the backup once again but was thrust into the starter role when Franks suffered a season-ending ankle injury against Kentucky in September. Trask started the next 10 games, leading the Gators to an 11-2 record and finished with 2,941 yards, 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Franks transferred after the season, solidifying Trask’s role as the starter heading into 2020.

He improved in almost every way his last season. He was second in the nation in yards per game with 356, and he threw for 400 yards in five games (a school record). He also threw for at least four touchdowns in seven consecutive games this season, making him just the ninth FBS player since 2000 to do so.

He was a Heisman finalist for his efforts in 2020, finishing fourth in voting behind Trevor Lawrence, Mac Jones and the winner, Devonta Smith. He enters the 2021 NFL Draft as a potential Day 2 pick.

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Former Gators receiver Kadarius Toney is an athlete for the ages

Toney is one of the nation’s most electric players, and he capped his college career off with his most productive season yet in 2020.

Name: Kadarius Toney

Number: 1

Position: Wide Receiver

Class: Senior

Height: 6’0″

Weight: 193 pounds

Hometown: Mobile, Ala.

High School: Blount

Twitter: @0fficialC2N

2020 statistics:

REC YDS AVG TD LNG ATT YDS AVG TD LNG FUM LST
70 984 14.1 10 57 19 161 8.5 1 50 0 0

Overview:

Toney was initially a quarterback when he committed to play for former Gators coach Jim McElwain as part of the 2017 recruiting class. After arriving on campus, Toney quickly became a utility player, seeing sparse action as a runner, receiver and wildcat quarterback. As a true freshman, he totaled 272 yards and a score.

When coach Dan Mullen came in for the 2018 season, Toney’s role grew. He nearly doubled his production to 500 yards and he notched another score. He was expected to be a big part of the UF offense in 2019, but injuries held him out of several games. All in all, it was his least productive season. He netted just 255 yards and just a single touchdown again.

But he followed up a disappointing 2019 with a breakout 2020. Toney solidified his route-running skills and proved himself capable of being an every-down receiver. He was Florida’s leading receiver this season, making 70 catches for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns. Given his speed, athleticism and new-found technical prowess Toney could find himself an early pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

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