When it comes to college football, student-athletes will do anything to get more time on the playing field. Even if it requires them to switch positions… or even the side of the ball they play on.
It is not uncommon for a member of the Florida football roster to shift spots ahead of an upcoming season. This year, former edge defender [autotag]Gavin Hill[/autotag], a redshirt freshman from the nearby Buchholz High Bobcats, has made his decision to change horses midstream to the tight end position.
According to Swamp247, Hill has already started working out with the corps, which includes fellow scholarship players senior Keon Zipperer, sophomores Arlis Boardingham, Hayden Hansen and Tony Livingston, and true freshman Amir Jackson.
The change is not a drastic one for the Gainesville local, who was a two-way player for the Bobcats, though he spent the majority of his time at defensive end during his tenure; he did log 10 catches for 84 yards and two touchdowns in seven varsity games as a freshman.
The switch to tight end follows a trend of head coach Billy Napier’s when it comes to converting defensive players to the position. He has clearly had an eye on the young man’s talents since early on.
“(He) played some tight end in the past,” Napier said of Hill’s recruitment. “I thought his senior tape was special. He played with a shoulder, tough as nails. Obviously, Coach Whittemore runs a great program over there. They made a great run in the playoff. He’s a Gator through and through. There’s just a different level of passion that he’s going to bring.”
Assistant coach Russ Callaway, who was in charge of the tight end room in 2023, returns in the same role in a full-time capacity.
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