This Gator named a top-25 player of the 2022 season, per ESPN

An NFL-bound former Florida Gators player was included in ESPN’s list of the top 100 players of the 2022 college football season.

After being named the 34th consensus All-American in Florida Gators history, O’Cyrus Torrence has been named to ESPN’s “Top 100 Players of the 2022 Season” list. The offensive guard came in at No. 23. He is the 4th highest offensive lineman on the list and the highest-ranked offensive guard on the list.

Torrence was a vital part of the Florida run game. He transferred to Florida from Louisiana, joining [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] in the move from Lafayette to Gainesville. He brought stability and familiarity in a run game that became the Gators’ offensive identity.

The offensive line was a position of need before Napier was hired and brought Torrence with him to the SEC. Once Torrence was brought in, the unit flourished. They finished the season No. 1 in SEC yards per carry (5.8), and second in the SEC in sacks allowed (12) and tackles for loss allowed per game (4). Torrence was also named to the First-Team All-SEC team for his role in one of the best offensive lines in the conference.

Here is what the ESPN staff had to say about Torrence:

Billy Napier’s first season as head coach at Florida was rocky. But no one is questioning his decision to bring Torrence with him from Louisiana during the offseason. The junior wound up anchoring a better-than-expected offensive line and played his way into being a high-level NFL draft pick.

Torrence opted to sit out the Gators’ 30-3 Las Vegas Bowl defeat to Oregon State to prepare for the upcoming NFL draft. He is currently projected to go to the Buffalo Bills with the No. 29 pick of the 1st round, according to USA TODAY Sports’ Draft Wire publication’s latest mock draft. He joins teammate [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] as the two Florida Gators players projected to go in the first round.

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2023 Chiefs NFL draft prospects: Group 15

Our group of 2023 NFL draft prospects to watch for the #Chiefs during the first weekend of bowl season.

It’s officially bowl season!

Our annual draft prospects series returns for the sixth consecutive year. We’ve identified over 200 college prospects to keep an eye on ahead of the 2023 NFL draft, all of whom might be potential fits with the Kansas City Chiefs. Last season’s prospect list included several of the Chiefs’ 2022 NFL draft picks including George Karlaftis, Skyy Moore and Bryan Cook. Who will be next?

Our fifteenth group of prospects includes an underrated edge rusher, a First-Team All-American offensive lineman, a Last Chance U standout and an interior offensive lineman from Andy Reid’s alma mater.

ESPN has these two Gators being drafted in the first round

Is Anthony Richardson a first-round pick? ESPN’s Todd McShay thinks so, according to his latest mock draft.

Todd McShay of ESPN released his latest mock draft on Tuesday and has two Gators going in the first round: quarterback [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] and guard [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag].

Although Torrence is the higher-ranked player on McShay’s draft board, it’s Richardson that McShay thinks will come off the board first. Plenty of teams need a quarterback and the position was weak in last year’s draft. Richardson isn’t one of the top three quarterbacks in this draft, but his physical upside has McShay thinking he’ll go just outside of the top 10.

The Carolina Panthers desperately need a new man under center, and taking a chance on Richardson with the 11th overall pick might be worth it.

“OK, this one is going to raise some eyebrows,” McShay said. “Full disclosure, taking Richardson this early is way too rich for my blood. He lacks experience and isn’t NFL-ready. We’ve seen a QB with 13 or fewer starts go this high only two other times since 2000, per ESPN’s Stats & Information (Alex Smith and Mitch Trubisky). But what choice do the Panthers have?”

McShay doesn’t have another quarterback going in the first round, so Richardson might have to wait until Day 2 if the Panthers feel he’s not the answer.

If Richardson does go at No. 11, it shouldn’t be too long until the anchor of his offensive line comes off the board. Torrence is among the top offensive linemen in the draft class and is the top-ranked guard on the board. McShay has him going to the New York Jets at No. 17, but the reality is he could go to any team prioritizing the interior of its offensive line. Detroit at No. 16 would be another good fit.

“Torrence, who has allowed one sack over 47 career starts. His 347-pound frame is tough to get around, and he plays a technically sound game. Not only would Torrence provide interior protection for whomever starts at QB in 2023, he’d also help spring Breece Hall (also out for the year) as an excellent run-blocker.”

McShay’s mock is optimistic that two Gators will come off the board in April, but there’s still a lot of time before the draft actually takes place. Richardson’s projection is the more volatile of the two, but his stock could improve just as easily as it could drop.

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Two Gators crack ESPN’s Todd McShay’s latest 2023 draft big board

Two Gators are among ESPN Senior Writer Todd McShay’s top 32 prospects in the upcoming draft cycle.

With the 2022 regular season over and bowl season about to kick off, ESPN Senior Writer Todd McShay has updated his big board of the top 32 prospects in the upcoming draft cycle, and Florida has two players featured on it: quarterback [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] and offensive lineman [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag].

Neither name is a surprise on the list, but each player presents a wildly different story coming into the draft. Richardson, a starter for just one season at Florida that produced mixed results, has been described as the biggest wildcard in this cycle. His arm talent is obvious and his scrambling ability is even more noticeable, but there’s no denying that Richardson is a work-in-progress player. Ranked No. 32 (the last spot on the list), McShay obviously sees both sides of the coin with the Gainesville native.

“On one hand, he displays excellent physical traits,” McShay wrote. “He has the arm strength to drive the ball downfield, and his speed and elusiveness allow him to make an impact as a runner (654 rushing yards, nine TD runs). But on the other hand, he is still relatively inexperienced (13 starts) and is still ironing out his accuracy (53.8% completion percentage). Richardson is a huge projection, but the talent and upside are definitely there.”

Conversely, Torrence, who McShay ranks at No. 27, is about as sure an NFL prospect as it gets. He was Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded offensive guard this year and continues to collect postseason accolade after postseason accolade. If an NFL team needs a plug and play interior offensive lineman this year, Torrence is the guy. Although is name might not have the same star power attached to it as Richardson’s, Torrence could be the most successful Gator to hit the pros this cycle.

Torrence isn’t without his flaws, but it’s hard to nitpick a guy who hasn’t given up a sack since 2019.

“He’s a wide-based blocker who rarely gives up ground to powerful rushers, but he lacks ideal mirror-and-slide agility and can get in trouble with mobile 3-techniques… Torrence does a great job of latching on and controlling defensive linemen while moving laterally in zone-blocking scheme, though his second-level range is only average.”

Being ranked by McShay among the top 32 doesn’t mean that both Richardson and Torrence a guaranteed to go in the first round, but there is a good likelihood of that happening given all the hype surrounding Richardson. Torrence should be an easy pickup for some team. It just depends on draft position and what the team needs most.

The first night of the 2023 NFL draft begins at 7 p.m. EST on Thursday, April 27.

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ESPN gives First-Team All-American nod to Gators’ offensive lineman

ESPN agrees with the rest of the media: O’Cyrus Torrence was a beast for the Gators on the O-line this season.

Florida football scored big-time in the transfer portal last offseason when offensive lineman [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag] decided to follow his head coach from the bayous of Louisiana to the swampland of north Florida. The big man left no doubt as to who was in charge in the trenches, resulting in an avalanche of accolades following his junior season.

The latest publication to express its cumulative confidence in the young man’s talents is ESPN, where senior writer Chris Low published his 2022 All-America first and second teams. Here is what he had to offer on the cornerstone of the Gators’ superlative offensive line this year.

It wasn’t a lengthy stay for Torrence at Florida, but it was a successful one. The 6-5, 346-pound junior had already made a big impression at Louisiana, but he was equally impressive in his one season with the Gators after transferring. Going back to his freshman year at Louisiana, Torrence has 46 career starts. He has another year of eligibility remaining but instead has declared for the NFL draft.

Torrence officially declared for the 2023 NFL draft and will not play in the Las Vegas Bowl against the Oregon State Beavers. He will, however, play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl which will be held on Feb. 4 in Mobile, Alabama, with kickoff scheduled for 2:30 p.m. EST.

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Gators OL earns another honor, lands on USA TODAY Sports’ All-America team

Chalk another First-Team All-American honor for the Gators’ big man.

The accolades keep coming for Florida offensive lineman O’Cyrus Torrence, who added another All-America inclusion when USA TODAY Sports announced its team. Like his other nods, the transfer who followed Billy Napier to the Swamp during the offseason made the first-team on this list as well.

The 6-foot-5-inch, 374-pound trench warrior had a fantastic collegiate career stretching back to his days in the bayou with the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. Amazingly, he has never allowed a single sack while only permitting 24 quarterback hurries over his four years on the college gridiron.

Although he only spent one year wearing orange and blue, Torrence anchored one of the best offensive lines seen in Gainesville in ages that laid the groundwork for one of the top rushing attacks in the nation.

Torrence officially declared for the 2023 NFL draft and will not be playing in the Las Vegas Bowl against the Oregon State Beavers. He will, however, play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl which will be held on Feb. 4 in Mobile, Alabama, with kickoff scheduled for 2:30 p.m. EST.

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This Gator made The Athletic’s 2022 All-Portal First Team

A familiar name scores another accolade on the way to the NFL draft.

It is that time of year again when the awards are flowing following the conclusion of the college football regular season and one particular Gator has been hauling in the hardware.

Offensive tackle [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag], who followed [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] from the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns to the Swamp during the offseason, was a standout for a mediocre team that went only 6-6  in the new head coach’s debut campaign. Among the accolades the 6-foot-5-inch, 347-pound guard has received so far is inclusion on The Athletic’s 2022 All-Portal Team as a first-team offensive lineman.

Here is what senior writer Max Olsen had to say about the Gators’ big man.

Everyone wanted Torrence when his name popped up in the portal in January, but he trusted Billy Napier and his Louisiana coaches and followed them to Gainesville. The four-year starter left no doubt about whether he could compete at the SEC level this fall. Torrance earned first-team All-America honors from The Athletic after allowing zero sacks over his 11 starts at right guard, and he’s currently the top-rated guard in the country in PFF grading.

Torrence officially declared for the 2023 NFL draft and will not be playing in the Las Vegas Bowl against the Oregon State Beavers. He will, however, play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl which will be held on Feb. 4 in Mobile, Alabama, with kickoff scheduled for 2:30 p.m. EST.

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Florida offensive lineman named a Walter Camp First-Team All-American

Florida Gators offensive lineman O’Cyrus Torrence has been named a Walter Camp First-Team All-American, earning a brick outside The Swamp in his honor.

Florida Gators offensive lineman [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag] has been named a Walter Camp First-Team All-American for the 2022 season. He will have a brick laid in front of the Bull Gators statue at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in honor of his selection.

The 6-foot-5-inch, 347-pound senior was a vital part of the Florida run game. He transferred to Florida from Louisiana, joining [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] in the move from Lafayette to Gainesville. He brought stability and familiarity in a run game that became the Gators’ offensive identity.

The offensive line was a position of need before Napier was hired and brought Torrence with him to the SEC. Once Torrence was brought in, the unit flourished. They finished the season No. 1 in SEC yards per carry (5.8), and second in the SEC in sacks allowed (12) and tackles for loss allowed per game (4). Torrence was also named to the First-Team All-SEC team for his role in one of the best offensive lines in the conference.

Unfortunately for the Gators, Torrence will be unavailable for the upcoming bowl game. In fact, the Gators will finish their season with a depleted roster after over a dozen players have entered the transfer portal.

Other top players like [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] and [autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag] have also declared for the NFL draft and will not be playing against the Oregon State Beavers in the Las Vegas Bowl. That game will be played on Dec. 17 starting at 2:30 p.m. EST and broadcast on ESPN.

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This Gator named to The Athletic’s First-Team All-American

Florida Gators offensive lineman O’Cyrus Torrence has been named to The Athletic’s First-Team All-American team, the lone Gator on the list

Florida Gators offensive lineman [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag] has been named to The Athletic’s All-American team as a member of the First Team.

The 6-foot-5-inch, 347-pound senior was a vital part of the Florida run game. He transferred to Florida from Louisiana, joining [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] in the move from Lafayette to Gainesville. He brought stability and familiarity in a run game that became the Gators’ offensive identity.

The offensive line was a position of need before Napier was hired and brought Torrence with him to the SEC. Once Torrence was brought in, the unit flourished. They finished the season No. 1 in SEC yards per carry (5.84), and second in the SEC in sacks allowed (12) and tackles for loss allowed per game (4). Torrence was also named to the First-Team All-SEC team for his role in one of the best offensive lines in the conference.

Here is what The Athletic College Football Staff said about Torrence in their All-American piece:

G O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida: The Louisiana transfer starred in the Sun Belt and continued to be a mauler in the run game in the SEC for a Florida team that ranks 10th in yards before contact per rush and third in yards per rush. Individually, he didn’t allow a sack and was penalized zero times, per PFF.

Unfortunately for the Gators, Torrence will be unavailable for the upcoming bowl game. In fact, the Gators will finish their season with a depleted roster after over a dozen players have entered the transfer portal. Other top players like [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] and [autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag] have also declared for the NFL draft and will not be playing against the Oregon State Beavers in the Las Vegas Bowl. That game will be played on Dec. 17 starting at 2:30 p.m. EST and broadcast on ESPN.

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Florida G O’Cyrus Torrence named to CBS Sports All-America team

Florida’s 6-6 season wasn’t very impressive, but don’t let that overshadow the stellar season right guard O’Cyrus Torrence had.

When [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag] transferred from Louisiana to Florida there were questions about how well he would do at the SEC level. Torrence answered emphatically and anchored an offensive line that only gave up 15 sacks all season and finished third in the conference in rushing yards per game.

Just as it was no surprise to see Torrence declare for the NFL draft, he unsurprisingly made CBS Sports’ All-America first team on Wednesday. What makes the honor even more impressive is that this was a down year for the SEC in terms of first-team selections. The Big Ten led the way with 10 players making the cut, and the SEC trailed significantly with just five.

Torrence should be a first-round pick when the draft rolls around, but there is a chance that he slips to Day 2 of the event. Postseason honors such as this help strengthen his draft stock and are well deserved. Pro Football Focus lists Torrence as the highest-graded guard in all of college football.

It’s currently unknown whether Torrence will be available or not for Florida’s bowl game against Oregon State on Dec. 17 but it is becoming increasingly common for high-profile players to skip minor bowl games when they are pegged as a first-rounder.

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