Tag: Kamryn Waites

Florida freshman LB out for spring camp, other injuries

Florida football head coach Billy Napier provided injury updates on linebacker Myles Graham and offensive lineman Kam Waites on Saturday.

Florida head coach Billy Napier provided updates on two injured Gators on Saturday.

Freshman linebacker [autotag]Myles Graham[/autotag] will sit out the rest of spring practices following a back procedure undergone to address an injury suffered in high school. Graham spent two non-contact practices with the team, but now he’s shut down.

“He (Graham) had an injury coming in and went through phase one and phase two,” Napier said. “We said, ok when we get to spring break and we feel like this is going to be a long-term issue then we want to go ahead and get it fixed. We made that decision and we anticipate getting him back for fall camp.”

The other player Napier provided an update on was offensive lineman [autotag]Kamryn Waites[/autotag], who is dealing with a lower-body injury. Waites stepped into the offensive line rotation last season and is expected to compete for a starting spot this year.

“Kam Waites had a strained calf and a soft tissue injury,” he said. “Nothing major there but he’ll be out for a bit.”

Napier added that there were some other ailments on the roster, but the only two he deemed major were Graham and Waites.

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Gators get major piece of offensive line back from injury

Eight months out from tearing his Achilles, Florida offensive lineman Kamryn Waites is nearing a full return and with the team for fall camp.

Eight months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon, Florida offensive lineman [autotag]Kamryn Waites[/autotag] has rejoined the team in the second week of fall training camp.

Waites took the field in pads and a helmet on Tuesday, according to 247Sports. He’s still in a non-contact role and working off to the side, but this is a significant step toward being ready for action during the season. Adding him back into the rotation in any capacity would be a huge boost for Florida’s offensive line, which is currently dealing with some depth issues.

At 6-foot-8-inches tall and 364 pounds, Waites has the size to play tackle in the SEC. He was moved to guard before his injury, but Florida could have him switch back following the departure of Kentucky transfer Kiyaunta Goodwin.

Billy Napier alluded to Waites’ return at SEC media days, admitting that he was “ahead of schedule a little bit.” Waites followed Napier from ULL to Florida as a redshirt freshman, and there are obvious plans to use him once healthy.

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Florida OL Kamryn Waites seriously injured during workouts

The Gators need to replace four of five starters along the offensive line before the 2023 season starts, and that job just got tougher thanks to a devastating injury.

Florida’s issues on the offensive line just got worse.

Over the offseason, the Gators lost four of five starting offensive linemen to the NFL draft and the transfer portal, putting the team in dire need of some more depth in the trenches. That need grew stronger on Friday when redshirt freshman lineman [autotag]Kamryn Waites[/autotag] went down with an Achilles injury, according to 247Sports.

An anonymous source said that the injury came during a non-contact workout and that Waites’ tore it while doing an agility drill. Many expected Billy Napier to hit the transfer portal hard, and he has, but now he needs to add at least one more offensive lineman than he expected.

Waites joined the team ahead of last season via the transfer portal, following his former coach to the Swamp. He saw action in all 13 games for Florida, getting his first start in the Las Vegas Bowl against Oregon State. Although nothing was set in stone for 2023, the expectation was that Waites would compete for a starting job.

Now, the Gators will have to lean on returning center [autotag]Kingsley Eguakun[/autotag], tackle [autotag]Austin Barber[/autotag] and transfers [autotag]Damieon George[/autotag] (Alabama) and [autotag]Micah Mazzccua[/autotag] (Baylor). Waites should be out for 6-9 months, according to UF Health‘s guidelines for an Achilles repair.

Perhaps Waites will be available toward the end of the season, but Florida will have to plan to be without him for most of the season following the devastating injury.

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Gators land commitment from priority OL target during All-American Bowl

The Gators earned another commitment from the recruiting class of 2023. Offensive tackle Caden Jones is headed to Florida.

The Florida Gators earned a commitment from De La Salle (Louisiana) offensive tackle [autotag]Caden Jones[/autotag] on Saturday during the All-American Bowl broadcast.

Jones had reportedly locked in his decision ahead of time, but he made things official to the public during a planned announcement stating that he could “see the vision Coach Napier has for the future.” He is the fourth offensive line commit/signee in the 2023 class, joining [autotag]Roderick Kearney[/autotag], [autotag]Knijeah Harris[/autotag] and [autotag]Bryce Lovett[/autotag]. Greyshirt freshman Tony Livingston is joining the team as an offensive tackle too, so he should be Jones’ primary competition.

Of course, Florida is in dire need of offensive line depth. The team is returning just one starter, center [autotag]Kingsley Eguakun[/autotag], and [autotag]Austin Barber[/autotag] has some starting experience at either tackle spot. Aside from any transfer portal additions, Florida will rely on first-time starters at the other three spots. [autotag]Richie Leonard[/autotag] is a candidate to earn time at either guard spot, and [autotag]Kamryn Waites[/autotag] played in the bowl game.

Jones won’t be the starting left tackle when September comes around, but he could be in a solid reserve spot after developing a bit over the summer.

The 247Sports composite gives him a three-star grade and ranks Jones No. 293 overall in the class of 2023 and No. 36 among offensive linemen. On3 is a bit more bullish on him, giving Jones the four-star nod and ranking him at No. 27 among those at his position.

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Florida OT Michael Tarquin entering transfer portal

Another Gator has hit the transfer portal, and now Florida might have some serious depth issues on the offensive line.

The Florida Gators will need to add some more depth to the offensive line after losing another player to the transfer portal. Offensive tackle [autotag]Michael Tarquin[/autotag] announced his decision to enter the portal on Thursday despite being a contender for a starting spot next season.

Tarquin began the year as the Gators’ starting right tackle but suffered an injury against Kentucky in Week 2 that kept him out for four games. Austin Barber emerged as an effective replacement, but Tarquin ended up playing in Florida’s final six games at his usual spot once healthy.

Some have called this the first true surprise of the transfer cycle for Florida. Tarquin was a presumed starter for next year’s club with left tackle [autotag]Richard Gouraige[/autotag] headed to the pros. Even if the staff favors Barber, shifting him over to the left side would allow Florida to play two experienced tackles on the offensive line. Now, [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] has to do some portal work of his own to replace three-fifths of the starting unit ([autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag] is headed to the NFL as well).

Napier said that the team was looking to add more players through the transfer portal during his early signing day press conference, and the Gators have been linked to Rhode Island transfer tackle [autotag]Ajani Cornelius[/autotag].

In-house options to take over Tarquin’s spot include Louisiana transfer [autotag]Kamryn Waites[/autotag], freshman [autotag]David Conner[/autotag] and incoming freshmen [autotag]Knijeah Harris[/autotag], [autotag]Roderick Kearney[/autotag] and [autotag]Tony Livingston[/autotag].

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Taking a look at Florida’s depth chart ahead of the Las Vegas Bowl

The Las Vegas Bowl is almost here and Florida is working with a different look roster after a busy start to the transfer season.

Florida’s depth chart for the Las Vegas Bowl looks a whole lot different from the opening-day roster, but that’s expected as players leave for the draft, enter the transfer portal and suffer injuries over the course of the year.

Starting with the offense, Florida is down players at every position but running back. [autotag]Jack Miller III[/autotag] is making his first start at quarterback with [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] headed to the NFL, and walk-on [autotag]Kyle Engel[/autotag] true will serve as the backup. True freshman [autotag]Max Brown[/autotag] is listed as the third-string option under center.

[autotag]Montrell Johnson Jr[/autotag]. and [autotag]Trevor Etienne[/autotag] are the only available running backs on Saturday, but that duo has the bulk of Florida’s carries over the season so it shouldn’t be a problem.

[autotag]Justin Shorter[/autotag] is preparing for the draft, which means [autotag]Xavier Henderson[/autotag] is the new No. 1 out wide for the Gators. True freshman [autotag]Caleb Douglas[/autotag] gets the No. 2 spot (and his second start) with [autotag]Daejon Reynolds[/autotag] in the transfer portal, and [autotag]Ricky Pearsall[/autotag] is still in the slot. Despite losing some talent from the receivers room, Florida is in an okay spot heading into the bowl game.

At tight end, [autotag]Keon Zipperer[/autotag] is still dealing with an injury, meaning [autotag]Dante Zanders[/autotag] is the starter once again. [autotag]Jonathan Odom[/autotag] was productive as the team’s second tight end towards the end of the season and will get another shot to audition for next year against Oregon State.

Florida’s offensive line features a new face: Redshirt freshman [autotag]Kamryn Waites[/autotag], who will get his first start at right guard with O’Cyrus Torrence headed to the pros. Left tackle [autotag]Richard Gouraige[/autotag] is also going to the NFL, but he could start in the bowl game and is officially listed as an “or” option along with [autotag]Austin Barber[/autotag]. [autotag]Ethan White[/autotag] and [autotag]Kinglsey Eguakun[/autotag] remain at left guard and center, and [autotag]Michael Tarquin[/autotag] returns to the right tackle spot. Christian Williams could see an increase in snaps as the primary backup for either guard spot with [autotag]Richie Leonard[/autotag] injured.

Now on to the defense.

Florida’s defensive line looks the same as it was through the final few games of the season: [autotag]Gervon Dexter Sr[/autotag]. and [autotag]Princely Umanimielen[/autotag] at defensive end, [autotag]Desmond Watson [/autotag]at nose tackle and [autotag]Antwaun Powell-Ryland J[/autotag]r. at the JACK linebacker spot. The big change in the front seven comes at [autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag]’s linebacker spot which now belongs to [autotag]Derek Wingo[/autotag]. [autotag]Amari Burney[/autotag] is the other starting linebacker, but expect [autotag]Shemar James[/autotag] and [autotag]Scooby Williams[/autotag] to get some work in too.

In the secondary, [autotag]Jason Marshall Jr[/autotag]. and [autotag]Jaydon Hill[/autotag] remain as Florida’s starting cornerbacks, and [autotag]Trey Dean III[/autotag] and [autotag]Rashad Torrence[/autotag] will get another run at their respective safety spots. [autotag]Jadarrius Perkins[/autotag] is stepping in for an injured [autotag]Tre’Vez Johnson[/autotag] at the STAR, but that shouldn’t disrupt the defense too much.

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Big changes made to Florida’s depth chart ahead of Week 3 meeting with USF

The Gators will be down two key starters in Week 3 against the USF Bulls, according to the newest depth chart. Here’s who is replacing them.

Florida’s Week 3 depth chart confirmed what many fans had feared since the conclusion of the Kentucky game last weekend: starting linebacker [autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag] and starting right tackle [autotag]Michael Tarquin[/autotag] are out with lower body injuries and no public timetable for a return.

Billy Napier left things at “they won’t play this week” when asked about the severity of the injuries, but he did name their replacements on the weekly depth chart that is provided each Wednesday night before a game.

Redshirt freshman [autotag]Austin Barber[/autotag] is taking over for Tarquin on the right side of the line with [autotag]Kamryn Waites[/autotag] serving as his backup. Waites was previously starting left tackle [autotag]Richard Gouraigae[/autotag]’s backup, but Josh Braun has moved into that role for now.

Braun is best served as a backup guard, but Napier decided that he’s the best option to come in at left tackle with Barber now in a starting role. The new addition to the offensive line rotation is freshman [autotag]Jalen Farmer[/autotag] at right guard. 

For Miller, Jeremiah [autotag]Scooby Williams[/autotag] is his listed backup, and the expectation is to see true freshman [autotag]Shemar James[/autotag] get some more snaps as well.

As far as the other injured players go, the same five from last week are still listed with just one exception. Cornerback [autotag]Jaydon Hill[/autotag] has been upgraded from “Out” to “Questionable,” which is an encouraging sign for a player that missed all of last year following ACL surgery. Hill could be back in the next few weeks, which would give the Gators another weapon in the secondary to work with.

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This Gator made CBS Sports’ 2022 Preseason All-America team

Florida’s best player heading into the 2022 season might be someone who wasn’t even on the team in 2021.

The SEC dominates most preseason All-American rosters, but the Florida Gators aren’t exactly stocked with the talent they’re used to having. Just one Gator made the CBS Sports 2022 Preseason All-America second team, and it’s an offensive lineman who wasn’t even in Gainesville a year ago, Louisiana transfer [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag].

Torrence was one of three Ragin’ Cajuns that followed [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] to Florida. He joined [autotag]Montrell Johnson[/autotag] and [autotag]Kamryn Waites[/autotag] as the newest additions to the Gators and has been considered a team leader since arriving. A four-year player, Torrence has come to the SEC to prove himself before entering his name into the draft pool and hopes to rack up as many accolades as he can. A preseason second-team nod is a good start, and there’s plenty of room to surprise people.

Despite his high ratings in the transfer portal and obvious interest from many Power Five programs, many still consider Torrence an underrated player. He allowed just three pressures last season in over 320 passing plays, so the numbers are there but playing in the Group of Five leaves questions for many at the next level.

The SEC doesn’t have that problem. Look no further than the makeup of the CBS Sports All-America teams for confirmation. Eighteen of 54 players across both rosters are on an SEC program. Surprisingly, not a single one of the five first-team offensive linemen hail from the conference. A big year on the ground from Florida/Torrence could change that.

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These 3 new Gators among The Athletic’s college football transfers to watch

Here is who The Athletic thinks are the best transfer portal scores for the Gators this offseason.

The college football landscape has been overhauled in recent years thanks to the implementation of name, image and likeness laws as well as the expansion of the transfer portal into an entity not dissimilar to professional free agency. In fact, the combination of those two nascent elements has given collegiate sports a much more business-like feel, quickly shedding any vestiges of its amateur past.

The latter has been a crucial element in the short-term plans of [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag], who has dealt with a fair amount of turnover so far — especially in light of the dismissal of three players recently. The good news is that the new head coach and his staff are off to a good start on that front, having brought in a pair of studs from the skipper’s previous stop with at Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns while the third crossed the country from the Arizona State Sun Devils to relocate to the Sunshine State, among others.

The Athletic’s college football staff recently assembled an overview of the transfers to watch for in 2022, including the three new Gators referenced above. Take a look below at what writer Manny Navarro offered on the topic.

Ex-Arizona State wide receiver [autotag]Ricky Pearsall[/autotag] (48 catches, 580 yards, four touchdowns in 2021) definitely will help the Gators, but Billy Napier brought over the two most impactful transfers with him from Louisiana. That would be offensive guard [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag], a 35-game starter at guard and tailback [autotag]Montrell Johnson[/autotag], who ran for 838 yards rushing with 12 touchdowns as a freshman last season. 

While there are others who arrived through the portal, such as quarterback [autotag]Jake Miller[/autotag], cornerback [autotag]Jalen Kimber[/autotag] and offensive lineman [autotag]Kamryn Waites[/autotag], none offer the experience nor can be expected to hit the ground running like the aforementioned trio. In a debut season with a challenging schedule, the Gators will need all the help they can get and hopefully the portal proves its worth for the Orange and Blue.

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CBS Sports lists its top incoming transfer for Florida football

CBS Sports published its list of top incoming transfers for Southeastern Conference schools in the coming 2022 season.

Rebuilding Florida’s football program is no easy task as new head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] is quickly learning. Among the building blocks available to the Gators’ staff is the transfer portal, which has transformed from a small creek into a massive river flowing with players due to the change in eligibility rules, which now allows a student-athlete to immediately play for their new team.

While prep recruiting is at the forefront of Napier’s agenda, the portal has also been a major component in building the 2022 roster. CBS Sports’ Barrett Sallee recently took a look at the Southeastern Conference and selected the best transfer for each school. Florida’s selection was an offensive lineman who followed his head coach from the bayous of Louisiana to the Swamp: O’Cyrus Torrence. Here is what Sallee offered about the big man on the line.

The senior earned All-Sun Belt honors twice and played on a pair of Joe Moore Award semifinalist offensive line units under Billy Napier at Louisiana. Now, Torrence provides an anchor on the Gators’ rebuilt offensive line in Napier’s first season.

Torrence was not exactly an easy selection, given some of the other talent collected in the portal so far. Two of his teammates at ULL who also came to Gainesville, running back [autotag]Montrell Johnson[/autotag] and fellow OL [autotag]Kamryn Waites[/autotag], are expected to carry a load for the Gators, while former USC wide receiver [autotag]Ricky Pearsall[/autotag] could make an instant impact on the team as well. There is also former Georgia Bulldog [autotag]Jalen Kimber[/autotag] who bolsters Florida’s defensive backfield.

Who do you think will have the biggest impact? Let us know in the comments below.

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