Tag: marcus burke

Florida losing WR Xzavier Henderson to transfer portal

Florida’s third spring transfer is a big one. Wide receiver Xzavier Henderson, who started 11 games for the Gators in 2022, is hitting the portal.

Florida wide receiver [autotag]Xzavier Henderson[/autotag] is entering the NCAA transfer portal, according to a report from Swamp247.

Henderson started 11 games for Florida last year and was expected to step into a bigger role with [autotag]Justin Shorter[/autotag] moving on to the NFL. 247Sports’ Jacob Rudner said that sophomore [autotag]Caleb Douglas[/autotag] and freshman [autotag]Andy Jean[/autotag] had strong springs behind Henderson, which may have influenced the decision to leave.

[autotag]Ricky Pearsall[/autotag] is the clear leader of the receiver room, but [autotag]Marcus Burke[/autotag], Douglas and Jean are all young players showing promise.

Henderson leaves Florida with 835 career receiving yards and five touchdowns on 73 catches over 35 games. His best game in the Orange and Blue came against Georgia when he hauled in five receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown.

Receivers coach Billy Gonzalez reported strong spring scrimmage performances from Henderson, and head coach Billy Napier also spoke highly of him during the spring. The transfer is somewhat surprising, but he’s not the first player to leave the team during the second portal period of teh year.

Offensive lineman [autotag]David Conner[/autotag] and edge rusher [autotag]Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr[/autotag]. were the first two Gators to leave the team in the spring. Following Henderson’s departure, Florida will have five open scholarship spots to hand out to transfers.

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Florida lacking receiver depth ahead of rivalry game against FSU

The Gators don’t have a ton of depth at the receiver spot this week after injuries have ravaged the position room over the past few weeks.

The Florida Gators are once again dealing with depth issues ahead of their final game of the 2022 regular season against Florida State.

After getting back starting wide receiver [autotag]Justin Shorter[/autotag] a week ago for the Vanderbilt game, No. 4 finds himself back on the injury report this week. He’s not the only starting receiver listed as “out” this week, either. The team’s No. 2, [autotag]Xavier Henderson[/autotag], won’t be playing against the Seminoles, and starting slot receiver [autotag]Ricky Pearsall[/autotag] is “questionable” after missing most of last week’s game.

Pearsall suffered an upper-body injury against the Commodores, but Billy Napier expects him to be ready on Friday. [autotag]Ja’Quavion Fraziars[/autotag], [autotag]Marcus Burke[/autotag] and [autotag]Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman[/autotag] won’t be available either.

In place of Shorter and Henderson will be redshirt freshman [autotag]Daejon Reynolds[/autotag] and true freshman [autotag]Caleb Douglas[/autotag]. Reynolds had a breakout game against Vanderbilt last week, leading the team with 165 yards and two touchdowns on eight catches. He dropped just one pass and made up for it two plays later with his second score.

Douglas got the start against South Carolina and hauled in three catches for 53 yards. He’s appeared in six games so far this season and has two touchdowns on the year.

Tight end [autotag]Keon Zipperer[/autotag] is still dealing with a lower-body injury that has him listed as questionable and down to the third-string spot on the depth chart. If he’s fully healthy, Zipperer could get some of his snaps back, but there doesn’t seem to be a ton of optimism that he’ll be ready to go. [autotag]Dante Zanders[/autotag] and [autotag]Jonathan Odom[/autotag] should be Florida’s two main tight ends this week. True freshman [autotag]Arlis Boardingham[/autotag] is also listed on the depth chart for the first time after dealing with an injury for most of the year.

Florida has fewer depth problems on the defensive side of things. Safety [autotag]Rashad Torrence II[/autotag] is listed as the starter this week, but he suffered an injury during the Vanderbilt game that could limit him. Florida’s other starting safety, [autotag]Trey Dean[/autotag], said that the team would be fine if either true freshman, [autotag]Kamari Wilson[/autotag] or [autotag]Miguel Mitchell[/autotag], had to step up in place of Torrence.

Finally, linebackers [autotag]Derek Wingo[/autotag] and [autotag]Shemar James[/autotag] are expected to see the field a bit more often with [autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag] likely to miss the first half of the game after being disqualified for targeting against Vanderbilt.

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Depth Chart: Shorter returns from injury, Henderson out

The Gators are getting one starting receiver back this weekend but are losing another to injury. Check out the team’s depth chart ahead of the matchup with Vanderbilt.

The Florida Gators are getting back their top receiver, [autotag]Justin Shorter[/autotag], this week, but they’ll also be down their No. 2 at the position with [autotag]Xavier Henderson[/autotag] making his way to the injury list.

Shorter has missed the past two weeks with an injury, but he’s now expected to return to his starting role with [autotag]Marcus Burke[/autotag] at the other wide receiver spot. True freshman [autotag]Caleb Douglas[/autotag], who made his first career start for Florida against South Carolina and currently has the fifth-most receiving yards of any pass catcher on the roster, is listed behind Shorter as a second-string option. He was thrust into a starting role when Shorter and [autotag]Ja’Quavion Fraziars[/autotag] hit the injury report, but it appears that Burke will get a shot this week.

Henderson has served as Florida’s punt returner for most of the year, so slot receiver Ricky Pearsall will step in to fill that role while he is out.

[autotag]Ja’Markis Weston[/autotag] is making is debut on the depth chart this week as a third-string option at receiver behind Pearsall and [autotag]Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman[/autotag].

Tight end [autotag]Keon Zipperer[/autotag] is also off the injury report, but he’ll serve as the team’s third-string option, presumably to ease him back into playing time. [autotag]Dante Zanders[/autotag] is the listed starter with [autotag]Jonathon Odom[/autotag] behind him. Odom scored his first career touchdown last weekend.

Kicker [autotag]Trey Smack[/autotag] and cornerback [autotag]Devin Moore[/autotag] also remain on the injury report. Smack has been sidelined for two weeks now and was seen warming up before the South Carolina game but he wasn’t able to go. Moore’ season is over following surgery and the team hopes to get him back for offseason workouts.

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Three Gators cut from team by Napier, fourth on thin ice

Three Gators are no longer with the team after Billy Napier informed them of his decision.

At some point, this moment had to come for Billy Napier and the Florida Gators. On Wednesday, the first-year head coach informed three players that they were no longer on the team, according to 247Sports. Safety [autotag]Mordecai McDaniel[/autotag], defensive lineman [autotag]Chris Thomas[/autotag] and receiver [autotag]Fenley Graham[/autotag], who switched to the position during the offseason after playing in the secondary for the past two seasons, are expected to enter the transfer portal as a result.

Receiver [autotag]Marcus Burke[/autotag] was initially removed from the updated roster as well, and the sports information director told several reporters that he was also cut, but that turned out to be a miscommunication after team leaders went to Napier in hopes of reversing the decision. Napier obliged, but the three remaining cuts still came off as a bit of a shock, both to the team and the fanbase.

Graham was a fan favorite. One of the many former Lakeland Dreadnaughts that have come to Florida, his willingness to switch positions earned him praise from wide receivers coach [autotag]Keary Colbert[/autotag] during the spring and it was believed that he’d be in the conversation to be a kick returner in the fall. But these cuts reportedly had little to do with talent and where they were at on the depth chart and more about who was buying into the new culture.

McDaniel is another name that many expected to see contribute in some fashion this season after playing in all 13 games last year and 10 as a freshman. Thomas was a three-star recruit who saw action in just a single game as a freshman, so his cut is less surprising, but it still sends a message to the team. At the same time, doing this after the spring has given Napier enough time to earn the respect of his players.

First-year coaches are able to make these cuts of scholarship players thanks to an NCAA bylaw, but they can still stay on scholarship at the school until they graduate. Most players test the portal, though, and find new opportunities. The only problem is that the May 1 deadline has come and gone, so these players need a waiver to be eligible at another school in the upcoming season.

Florida is down to 87 scholarship players following the move. That means there’s a chance that two or more players are cut.

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Florida receives two crystal ball predictions for legacy 4-star RB

When could Florida see four-star running back Treyaun Webb hop on board after these crystal ball predictions?

Four-star running back [autotag]Treyaun Webb[/autotag] said after one of his visits earlier this month that he thought about committing to Florida before departing campus. Webb and his cousin and former star Gators cornerback [autotag]Dee Webb[/autotag] visited the Swamp again this past weekend.

247Sports’ Florida recruiting reporters Blake Alderman and Jacob Rudner have opted to submit crystal ball predictions with high confidence of seven for Webb after another strong visit to the Gators this weekend.

Webb hails from nearby Jacksonville, Florida, and plays for Trinity Christian that have produced players like Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade, Florida wide receiver [autotag]Marcus Burke[/autotag], Florida State and Indiana receiver D.J. Matthews Jr. recently. The 247Sports composite rankings have Webb as the 116th overall prospect and as the fifth-best running back in the country.

Coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] had his work cut out for him once he took over the Gators program. Florida was an afterthought for Webb under previous head coach [autotag]Dan Mullen[/autotag]. They quickly surged up his leaderboard and became the favorite.

Napier and running backs coach [autotag]Jabbar Juluke[/autotag] want to take two tailbacks this cycle. The top target on their board is [autotag]Cedric Baxter Jr.[/autotag] and would love to couple him with Webb.

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These two true freshmen have ‘bright futures’ with the Florida offense

It’s hard to get playing time as a true freshman but these two Gators are making their names known during fall camp.

Tight end Nick Elksnis and receiver Marcus Burke are two names to watch after impressing teammates and coaches in fall camp, according to 247Sports.

Elksnis enrolled early and received praise for his athleticism and maturity during spring practices. Tight ends coach Tim Brewster has claimed that he has one of the best groups in the country and Elksnis could very well be a big part of it. Burke, a four-star recruit in high school, is just joining the program but is turning heads as well.

“They’re doing good, learning. There’s a lot of learning curve,” coach Dan Mullen said. “They’re out there getting reps. You can see both of them are going to have really bright futures with us with how they play.”

Elksnis is behind Kemore Gamble and Keon Zipperer at tight end but could make his way onto the field this year as the Gators look to replace Kyle Pitts. An athletic 6-foot-6-inch, 243-pound tight end, Elksnis certainly fits the build of what Florida is looking for and he’s stronger than Pitts was at this time in his career.

Burke provides a different skill set for the Gators. While Elksnis impresses with his physicality, Burke is fast, quick and sure-handed in traffic. He can go up against most defensive backs and give his team a chance. The talent is there for him to make an impact but he’ll have to prove his knowledge of the offense to see the field consistently as a true freshman.

“Come in and learn, just sit back and learn and try to learn as much as you can because at this level it’s not always about talent and what you can do,” senior running back Malik Davis said. “That’s not really what gets you on the field. Your coach has got to build trust in you. By doing that, that’s just going out and practicing, executing plays and showing him that you know what you’re doing.”

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How Florida Gators commits fared in high school football action Week 7

Many of Florida’s recruiting class of 2021 were in action last Friday, here’s a summary of how they all fared in high school competition.

Ranked No. 8 in the latest Amway Coaches Poll Powered by USA TODAY Sports, the Florida Gators will travel to TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville to clash with one of their fiercest rivals, the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs, on Saturday.

There will be plenty of action the two days before this showdown, as well, as the program’s 2021 commits will be in action in their respective high school games.

As we at Gators Wire have done each of the last six weeks, here is a look at how some of these skill position pledges fared in their most recent showings.

Prospect rankings courtesy of the 247Sports Composite.

Florida Gators make SI’s list of top wide receiver hauls in 2021 class

Although none of Florida’s four commits at the position made the SI99, the program still slotted in at No. 2 on the website’s rankings.

Sports Illustrated’s All-American staff released their top-five wide receiver groups in the 2021 class on September 2, with the Florida Gators earning recognition.

Before we dive in, a quick note: Star rankings are courtesy of the 247Sports Composite.

Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide, who feature two wideouts in the SI99 – a comprehensive ranking of the publication’s top-99 players in the cycle – led the way.

Orlando four-star slot receiver Christian Leary and IMG Academy five-star Jacorey Brooks, who checked in at No. 42 and 46 on the SI99, respectively, are the Tide’s top-two players at the position in the cycle; Valrico’s Agiye Hall, another four-star, was also mentioned.

Although none of Florida’s four commits at the position made the SI99, the program still slotted in at No. 2 on the website’s rankings.

Ocala four-star Trevonte Rucker, who pledged to the Gators on February 11, is the school’s highest-rated wide receiver in the class, with a trio of fellow four-stars, Loganville, Georgia’s Daejon Reynolds, Jacksonville’s Marcus Burke, and Seffner’s Charles Montgomery, who might also see some snaps at running back in Gainesville, following closely behind.

“Rucker is a prospect we’ve tracked since he was a freshman, and while he currently plays quarterback, we project a similar role to current Gator Kadarius Toney in Dan Mullen’s offense,” SI began of their Florida breakdown.

“Montgomery is another versatile prospect who can play running back, as well as H-receiver for Florida. Reynolds is a thick-bodied receiver with impressive ball skills and body control, plus he can develop into a solid blocker, something Mullen asks of his receivers.

“However, the most intriguing player amongst this group is Burke. At 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds, Burke possesses length and long speed to become a vertical threat for the Gators as an X-receiver.”

The Michigan Wolverines, who, as of September 2, do not have a firm start date for their upcoming season, were No. 3 on SI’s list.

Jim Harbaugh’s program possesses four wideout pledges in the cycle, and two of them made the SI99, headlined by Fresno, California four-star Xavier Worthy, who does most of his damage out of the slot. The other Wolverine to make the cut, Santa Ana, California’s Cristian Dixon, also a four-star, holds the unique distinction of occupying the No. 99 spot on the SI rankings.

Clayton, Ohio’s Markus Allen and East Lansing, Michigan’s Andrel Anthony, both three-stars, are Michigan’s two other commits for offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Josh Gattis, who joined the program in 2019 following a one-year stint on Saban’s staff.

The Clemson Tigers, featuring three wideouts in the SI99, and Oregon Ducks, who hold a commitment from one receiver on the list, rounded out the list.

Manny Diaz’ Miami Hurricanes, Dave Aranda’s Baylor Bears, and Mark Stoops’ Kentucky Wildcats earned honorable mention.

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The Athletic complimentary of the Florida Gators’ latest work on football recruiting trail

Florida’s upcoming class now stands at 24 members. Marshall, the lone five-star, is the highest-rated of the group, followed by Tyreak Sapp.

Releasing his latest “This week in recruiting” article on August 12 (subscription required), The Athletic’s Ari Wasserman praised the recent work of head coach Dan Mullen and the rest of his Florida Gators coaching staff on the recruiting trail.

“This week, Mullen enjoyed perhaps his best two days on the recruiting trail as Florida’s head coach,” he began.

“Mullen went into South Florida and landed teammates from Miami (Fla.) Palmetto who both rank in the top-100 nationally: (five-star cornerback Jason Marshall) and four-star safety Corey Collier, the No. 83 overall player. Florida’s class jumped to No. 6 nationally with the two commitments.

“We could make this a discussion about how Miami, which is recruiting quite well this season, missed on two local players who could have vaulted its class into the top-three in the nation. Remember, the Hurricanes have two five-star prospects from Miami committed, including defensive tackle Leonard Taylor, who also plays at Palmetto. The Hurricanes had a chance to do something truly remarkable.

“But you have to give credit to Florida for recruiting these two Palmetto stars. Even though they are much closer to Miami’s campus, they are still in-state prospects for the Gators.”

Florida’s upcoming class now stands at 24 members. Marshall, the lone five-star, is the highest-rated of the group, followed by Collier and Fort Lauderdale four-star defensive end Tyreak Sapp.

A name to watch to join this group is Bradenton four-star defensive end Tunmise Adeleye, who decommitted from Ryan Day’s Ohio State Buckeyes on August 11.

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Playing his first three seasons at Katy (Texas) High School, Tunmise plans to suit up for IMG Academy, one of the nation’s premier talent-producing programs, as a senior.

Florida first extended him an offer on January 29, 2019 and have twice secured his presence on campus, first on February 1 for a Junior Day and again on March 7 for an unofficial visit.

Defensive line coach David Turner and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham have been leading the charge on his recruitment.

On the offensive side of the football, Ocala wide receiver Trevonte Rucker and Loganville, Georgia quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson and wideout Daejon Reynolds lead the way, with another receiver, Jacksonville’s Marcus Burke, not far behind.

As Wasserman mentioned, this collection of pledges now ranks No. 6 in America, per the 247Sports Composite, trailing only Ohio State, Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide, Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers, Mario Cristobal’s Oregon Ducks, and Jeremy Pruitt’s Tennessee Volunteers.

Ed Orgeron’s LSU Tigers, Clay Helton’s USC Trojans, and Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines round out the top-10.

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2021 Gators Football Recruiting Profile: Marcus Burke

This is a prospect player profile for wide receiver Marcus Burke of the Florida Gators football recruiting class of 2021.

Name: Marcus Burke

Position: Wide Receiver

Height: 6’3″

Weight: 180 lbs

Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.

High School: Trinity Christian Academy

Twitter: @CERTIFIED_MB4

247Sports Composite: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rivals.com: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Overview:

Burke committed to Florida on July 20, choosing the Gators over the rival Georgia Bulldogs and Penn State Nittany Lions.

Despite his verbal pledge, he does plan to visit Athens and State College once the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) lifts their recruiting restrictions because of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Kirby Smart’s program is worth keeping an eye on here, as the Bulldogs have had wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton and tight ends coach Todd Hartley remain in consistent contact with Burke and have made him a clear priority in the 2021 cycle.

A four-star prospect and the No. 40 wideout in the class, per the 247Sports Composite, Burke caught 37 passes for 831 yards (22.4 avg.) and nine touchdowns for the Trinity Christian Academy Conquerors as a junior, including a 99-yard score against the Venice Indians on September 6.

Measuring in at 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds, the in-state prospect has displayed some versatility in his game, showing the ability to line up either in the slot or out wide.

Including Seffner’s Charles Montgomery, Burke is the fourth wide receiver in the cycle for the Gators, joining Ocala’s Trevonte Rucker and Loganville, Georgia’s Daejon Reynolds, all of whom are four-stars.

Overall, he is the sixth-highest rated of the program’s 22 commits and the fourth-highest on the offensive side of the football, trailing only Rucker, Reynolds, and quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, who is set to play his senior season with Reynolds for the Grayson Rams.

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