Tag: O’Cyrus Torrence

This Gators offensive lineman named to AP preseason All-America team

Only one Gator made the Associated Press All-America teams and he hasn’t even played a snap in the SEC yet.

The preseason honors for Florida offensive lineman [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag] continue to roll in and the latest is a spot on the Associated Press All-America Second Team.

Torrence has yet to play a down in the SEC, but he’s already well respected as one of the conference’s best. He followed [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] from Louisiana to the Swamp and immediately received first-team honors from SEC reporters during the conference’s media days. He also recently was named a preseason All-American by CBS Sports, making their second team as well.

There’s no shortage of hype surrounding Torrence, which isn’t always typical for an interior offensive lineman. But the fourth-year player immediately became a veteran leader of the team. Players and coaches respect him, and they aren’t afraid to let others know how great it is to have Torrence on the team.

“Unbelievable human first, right, person and character,” Florida co-offensive line coach and offensive coordinator [autotag]Rob Sale[/autotag] said of Torrence to 247Sports. “Identified that when we were there at the other place. But he’s big, he’s twitchy, football comes easy to O’Cyrus, it really does.”

Defensive lineman [autotag]Gervon Dexter[/autotag] praised Torrence for helping him develop as a pass rusher too. Dexter, a projected first or second-round pick in his own right, said he didn’t know what going up against a pro was like until he went against Torrence.

All the praise isn’t going to Torrence’s head either. He said it motivates him to achieve the goals he believes are worthy of that recognition.

“For me, I use (preseason awards) as fuel,” he said. “I feel like it feels good to get the type of recognition. I feel like I work hard to get that recognition, but I still feel like I haven’t done anything yet to deserve it. It feels good, but I still don’t feel too deserving, so it makes me want to work harder to prove to myself that I do deserve it.”

[mm-video type=video id=01g9k1zfm6k09v4z56b0 playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g9k1zfm6k09v4z56b0/01g9k1zfm6k09v4z56b0-6b3d37b0ad3549d7d94c6ab6e64777dd.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=89875,89905,89872,89820,89798]

[listicle id=89316]

[listicle id=89575]

[listicle id=88493]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Let us know your thoughts and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

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.

[mm-video type=video id=01g95kkdf8zxef930p5y playlist_id=01eqbwhebtqp7ahdjt player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g95kkdf8zxef930p5y/01g95kkdf8zxef930p5y-fa9a6ddbd321112e31f9e69a04952473.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=89624,89617,89612,89611,89606]

[listicle id=89586]

[listicle id=89316]

[listicle id=89024]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Let us know your thoughts and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Three Gators ranked inside ESPN’s top 100 college football players for 2022

These three Gators are considered among the best in college football heading into the 2022 season, per ESPN.

Florida had a trio of players turn up on ESPN’s list of the top 100 college football players heading into 2022 on Wednesday. Linebacker [autotag]Brenton Cox Jr[/autotag]., quarterback [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] and offensive guard [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag] all fell in final 20 spots of the list.

Cox fell 21 spots from No. 59 in 2021 to No. 80 on this year’s list. After collecting 8.5 sacks and 41 tackles (26 solo) as a redshirt sophomore, he’s looking to set a new school record in sacks before heading to the pros. Injuries hurt the linebacker room early on last season, but the ESPN staff thinks that a healthy group could open things up for Cox to reach his goals.

“Change is everywhere you look in Gainesville, but Cox is a constant. He combined 8.5 sacks with 10 run stops at or behind the line in 2021, and he broke up four passes in coverage, too. With [autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag] returning from injury, Cox could helm a dynamite LB corps.”

Richardson comes in at No. 93 on the rankings after not placing a year ago as the backup to [autotag]Emory Jones[/autotag]. The ESPN staff isn’t shy about praising Richardson’s potential, but it’ll take actual production for him to move any higher on this list.

“He’s huge (6-4, 252 pounds). He’s got a big arm (among his 38 completions last year were six over 30 yards), and he’s ridiculously fast (rushes of 80 and 73 yards). The man has all the tools. Now we get to see if he can put them all together.”

Four spots under Richardson is Torrence, one of the five men who will be charged with protecting the first-year quarterback. Despite allowing just three pressure in 378 pass-block snaps last year, Torrence moved up from No. 100 to just No. 97. Go figure.

“An under-the-radar recruit, Torrence (listed at 6-5 and 347 pounds) was an immediate star for head coach Billy Napier at Louisiana. Now the former Freshman All-American and All-Sun Belt star will play his trade with Napier in Gainesville. He immediately becomes Florida’s most proven and high-upside lineman.”

If Napier’s guy turns out to be a success in the SEC, he could get drafted in the first three rounds this spring.

A surprising snub on the list is defensive tackle [autotag]Gervon Dexter[/autotag], who was ranked earlier in the week in Todd McShay’s top-50 NFL draft prospects. Like Richardson, he needs to add a little more consistency to his game, but Dexter has been considered one of Florida’s best project players for a few years.

[mm-video type=video id=01g95kkdf8zxef930p5y playlist_id=01eqbwhebtqp7ahdjt player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g95kkdf8zxef930p5y/01g95kkdf8zxef930p5y-fa9a6ddbd321112e31f9e69a04952473.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=89603,89567,89557,89538,89521]

[listicle id=89316]

[listicle id=89024]

[listicle id=88059]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Let us know your thoughts and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

This Gator among On3’s top 10 most impactful OL transfers

New Florida Gator O’Cyrus Torrence comes in near the top of On3’s recent list of most impactful offensive line transfer players.

O’Cyrus Torrence comes in at No. 2 in On3’s top 10 most impactful offensive line transfers list ahead of the 2022 season.

Torrence joins first-year head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] in trading Lafayette, Louisiana, for Gainesville, Florida, making the move from the Sun Belt to the SEC. A three-year starter at Louisiana, Torrence is expected to continue in that role in an offense that he already has familiarity with. New Florida offensive coordinator [autotag]Rob Sale[/autotag] spent 2018-20 as Louisiana’s offensive coordinator and offensive line coach before his one-year stint with the New York Giants as their offensive line coach last season. It seems familiarity was a big factor in Torrence’s decision to sign with the Gators in January.

It’s not just On3 that is taking notice of the big guy and his dominance in the trenches. Torrence was named to the Walter Camp All-American watch list last month and was named to ESPN’s 2022 way-too-early All-American team back in January. PFF named him the third best interior offensive lineman in college football, highlighting the fact that Torrence has the most pass block snaps played since 2019 without allowing a sack at 1,091.

At 6-foot-5-inch, 335 pounds, Torrence will look to continue to translate that size into dominance in the SEC like he did in the Sun Belt. Watch as he manhandles the Sun Belt competition in this clip.

Torrence is expected to play right guard opposite of left guard [autotag]Ethan White[/autotag] and next to center [autotag]Kingsley Eguakun[/autotag] on the Gators offensive line this season. Torrence will play in his first game as a Florida Gator, alongside head coach Billy Napier, on Saturday, September 3 at home against Utah at 7:00 p.m. EDT on ESPN.

 

Pair of Gators named Walter Camp 2022 Preseason All-Americans

Two Florida players were named to All-American teams by the Walter Camp Football Foundation on Monday.

Florida has some talent to look forward to in the trenches.

Offensive lineman [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag] and defensive lineman [autotag]Gervon Dexter[/autotag] were named to the Walter Camp 2022 Preseason All-American teams on Monday. Torrence, who was one of the top offensive linemen in the transfer portal this offseason, was named a first-teamer, and Dexter earned second-team recognition as a junior.

Both players are expected to be major contributors for the Gators this year. Torrence played for three years under Billy Napier at Lousiana and has become a leader in the locker room during the transition period. He stood out in spring practices, according to a report from 247Sports, shutting down his opponents during 11-on-11 practice sessions.

Dexter is entering his third year with the Gators and is expected to garner plenty of attention as he attempts to raise his draft stock with a big junior year. A five-star recruit coming out of high school, the hype is nothing new for Dexter, but he’ll need to best the 51 tackles and 2.5 sacks he managed in 2021.

In 2021, cornerback [autotag]Kaiir Elam[/autotag] was named to the Second Team, and tight end Kyle Pitts was named to the First Team in 2020. Prior to that, the foundation released a Preseason Player of the Year Watch List, so this marks the first time UF has had two representatives on the lists.

[mm-video type=video id=01g6n71ys2gkjcdzct05 playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g6n71ys2gkjcdzct05/01g6n71ys2gkjcdzct05-ecf0705d088dc45bc00b54b1db81948e.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=86581,86573,86569,86504,86511]

[listicle id=86266]

[listicle id=86046]

[listicle id=86339]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Let us know your thoughts and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

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.

[mm-video type=video id=01g55andn2qnqq9g8d94 playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g55andn2qnqq9g8d94/01g55andn2qnqq9g8d94-78d8edc95b32e7b888ef6476dfaeea2f.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=85361,85355,85353,85368,85222]

[listicle id=85370]

[listicle id=85296]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Let us know your thoughts and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Here’s where Florida’s incoming transfers stand, per 247Sports

The Top247 transfer rankings have been finalized and there are five incoming Gators on the list.

It’s no secret that Florida has seen a decent amount of movement through the transfer portal this offseason, and there’s reason to be excited about the new names and faces coming to Gainesville next season.

247Sports finalized its Top247 college football transfer portal player rankings, and five incoming Gators made the cut. Offensive guard [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag] leads the way at No. 33 overall and is joined by fellow Louisiana-Lafayette offensive line transfer [autotag]Kamryn Waites[/autotag] at No. 41.

Torrence was a three-year starter for the Ragin’ Cajuns and [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] decided that his skill set fit the needs of his new team. Playing his final year in the Southeastern Conference should help his draft stock rise, assuming he takes the step forward he’s expected to. Waites only played one year at ULL, but Florida needed offensive linemen and he’s got the size (6-foot-8-inches, 358-pounds) to compete at the highest level in college football.

Next up is former Georgia cornerback [autotag]Jalen Kimber[/autotag] at No. 49 on the list. Kimber was targeted by cornerbacks coach [autotag]Corey Raymond[/autotag] after playing just three games in two years at UGA due to a shoulder injury that limited him for most of 2021. He likely would have seen plenty of playing time with the Bulldogs this season had he stayed, but now he’ll compete for a starting job at Florida instead.

[autotag]Montrell Jonhson[/autotag], the third Lousiana transfer to make the cut, is ranked No. 70 among transfers and has a shot to be a major contributor in his first season with the Gators. He knows Napier’s playbook and was the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year in 2021 after rushing for 838 yards on 162 attempts (5.17 yards per carry) and 12 touchdowns.

Finally, there’s the newest addition to the team, Arizona State transfer [autotag]Ricky Pearsall[/autotag] at No. 155 on the list. He was one of the best receivers in the Pac-12 last season and gives the Gators some depth at a position where they don’t have much experience from returning players to rely on.

Of course, Florida did lose its share of Top247 talent as well. The Gators lost linebacker [autotag]Mohamoud Diabate[/autotag] (No. 42) to Utah, receiver [autotag]Jacob Copeland[/autotag] (No. 60) to Maryland, linebacker [autotag]Ty’Ron Hopper[/autotag] (No. 86) to Missouri, EDGE [autotag]Khris Bogle[/autotag] (No. 88) to [autotag]Michigan State [/autotag]and tight end [autotag]Kemore Gamble[/autotag] (No. 135) to UCF.

Quarterback [autotag]Jack Miller[/autotag] is the only incoming transfer not ranked by 247Sports. [autotag]Emory Jones[/autotag],[autotag] Carlos Del Rio-Wilson[/autotag] and [autotag]Gerald Mincey[/autotag] comprise the list of outgoing players that failed to make the Top247.

[mm-video type=video id=01g3sq65b67sdvptkjw2 playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g3sq65b67sdvptkjw2/01g3sq65b67sdvptkjw2-197c62ebc9982f7edd4c3c0204fbd77d.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=84574,84564,84556,84549,84538,84488,84484]

[listicle id=83732]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Let us know your thoughts and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Michigan State football offers OL O’Cyrus Torrence

MSU is getting in the mix for one of the top OL transfers in the market

Michigan State’s coaching staff has its eyes set on another prospect in the transfer portal, this time in the form of offensive lineman O’Cyrus Torrence. Torrence is in the transfer portal after spending three seasons at Louisiana.

Torrence has been a standout offensive guard for the Ragin Cajuns, starting almost every game for the past three seasons, including during his true freshman season.

He has already reported offers from the likes of Auburn, Clemson and Ole Miss so far. This will be a very hotly contested recruitment.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

Clemson offers OL in transfer portal

Clemson has extended an offer to an offensive lineman that recently put his name in the NCAA transfer portal. The Tigers have offered University of Louisiana transfer O-lineman O’Cyrus Torrence, he announced via social media Tuesday night. Torrence …

Clemson has extended an offer to an offensive lineman that recently put his name in the NCAA transfer portal.

The Tigers have offered University of Louisiana transfer O-lineman O’Cyrus Torrence, he announced via social media Tuesday night.

Torrence has started for the Ragin’ Cajuns the past three seasons and has two years of eligibility left.

The 6-foot-5, 335-pounder enter the portal on Sunday. He has since announced offers from Auburn and Ole Miss, in addition to Clemson.

The Greensburg, La., native is a two-time all-conference selection.

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks