Tag: Player profile

Florida’s Stone Forsythe was a mountain on the offensive line in 2020

After starting 28 games in four seasons, former Gators left tackle Stone Forsythe appears to have decided to move on to his next stop.

Name: Stone Forsythe

Number: 72

Position: Offensive Tackle

Class: Redshirt Senior

Height: 6’9″

Weight: 312 pounds

Hometown: Winter Garden, Fla.

High School: West Orange

Twitter: @stone_forsythe

Overview:

Stone Forsythe joined Florida’s 2016 recruiting class as just a three-star recruit and the No. 82 offensive tackle prospect in the country, according to the 247Sports Composite. But Stone’s size (officially listed by Florida as 6-foot-9-inches) made him an intriguing prospect, and former UF coach Jim McElwain locked up his commitment.

He redshirted his first year on campus in 2016, and in 2017, he didn’t appear until the final two games, starting both. His collegiate debut against UAB also marked his first career start.

Heading into his redshirt sophomore season in 2018, he served as a utility player on the offensive line. He appeared in all 13 games, starting the opener against Charleston Southern at right tackle. He saw action at both tackle and guard in 2018. The following season, he entered as Florida’s starter at left tackle. He played and started in all 13 games in 2019, contributing to an offense that ranked 16th in the nation in yards per play.

His final season in 2020, he once again started all 12 games. He provided blind-side protection for quarterback Kyle Trask, who finished as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. Though he had the option to return to school for an additional year of eligibility, Forsythe is not listed on Florida’s spring roster, and it is presumable that he will be trying his hand at the draft.

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Emory Jones has waited his turn. Now, 2021 is his year.

After three years of seeing spot duty, Jones’ time to lead Florida’s offense under center has finally come in 2021. It’s sink or swim time.

Name: Emory Jones

Number: 5

Position: Quarterback

Class: Redshirt junior

Height: 6’2″

Weight: 210 lbs

Hometown: LaGrange, Georgia

High School: Heard County

Twitter: @eXjones6

2020 statistics:

CMP ATT CMP% YDS AVG TD INT LNG RTG
18 32 56.3 221 6.9 2 1 30 128.6

Overview:

Florida quarterback Emory Jones has seen limited time over the last two seasons as the backup quarterback to Kyle Trask. A four-star recruit in 2018, he was one of coach Dan Mullen’s first big recruiting gets after he was hired by the Gators in December 2017. He closed late with Jones and convinced him to go back on his pledge to Ohio State. He signed with the Gators as the No. 5 dual-threat quarterback in the country, according to the 247Sports Composite.

He redshirted his first year on campus, appearing in just four games. He mostly saw designed packages for him, but against Charleston Southern and Idaho, he saw extended action in blowouts. Over his four appearances, he was 12-of-16 passing for 125 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He also had 41 yards on 18 carries.

As a redshirt freshman in 2019, he appeared in 11 games, becoming the backup after the injury to Feleipe Franks. He saw a lot more playing time in his second season, attempting 38 passes (of which he completed 25) for 267 yards and three touchdowns. Additionally, he finished third on the team in rushing with 256 yards.

With the emergence of Trask in 2020, Jones saw his role diminish a bit. He still appeared in nine games, going just 18-of-32 for 221 yards, two touchdowns and his first career interceptions. He was also less productive on the ground, totaling 217 yards on 32 attempts with two touchdowns. Now entering his redshirt junior season in 2021, he’s expected to replace Trask as Florida’s starter. The offense will likely look much different this season, but Mullen will hope Jones is the guy to keep up the high-scoring ways.

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Despite talent, injuries hampered Shawn Davis during his time with Florida

Former Florida Gators safety Shawn Davis flashed his potential but injuries played a part in his four-year career with the program.

Name: Shawn Davis

Number: 6

Position: Defensive Back

Class: Senior

Height: 6’0″

Weight: 206 lbs

Hometown: Miami, Florida

High School: Southridge

Twitter: @sdavjr

2020 statistics:

TCK SOLO FF INT YDS AVG LONG PD SCKS
42 25 1 2 45 22.5 37 1 0

Overview:

Leaving Southridge after winning the 2016 FHSAA Class 8A State Championship, Davis took his talents to Florida where he committed as a three-star recruit in the Gators 2017 class. The talented safety had to earn his playing time early on, appearing on special teams before making his first career start at Florida in the regular-season finale back in 2017.

As the years went on, Davis earned more and more playing time despite missing the first month of the season in 2018. But it was until 2019 where he returned to the starting lineup, starting in 9 of the 12 games he appeared in for the Gators. Davis set a career-high with two interceptions in the win over Kentucky and was solid all of 2019 helping lead Florida to a win over Virginia in the Orange Bowl.

Entering 2020, Davis was thought to be a key component in Florida’s secondary but an injury forced him to miss the final five games after starting in six of the first seven games. He once again recorded an interception in the win over Kentucky and finished his season with three total takeaways.

Davis has also appeared on the SEC Academic Honor Roll list twice in his career, doing so in 2018 and 2019.

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Trevon Grimes was a big-time wide receiver for the Florida Gators in 2020

We break down wide receiver Trevon Grimes’ career with the Florida Gators, which lasted three seasons after a transferring from Ohio State.

Name: Trevon Grimes

Number: 8

Position: Wide Receiver

Class: Senior

Height: 6’4″

Weight: 218 pounds

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

High School: St. Thomas Aquinas

Twitter: @Trevongrimes8

2020 statistics:

REC YDS TD LNG AVG RSH YDS LNG AVG
38 589 9 50 15.5 1 4 4 4

Overview:

A former five-star recruit, Grimes started his college career at Ohio State picking the Buckeyes over the in-state Gators. But after one season in Columbus, Grimes went back to the Sunshine State and transferred to Florida where he spent the final three years of his eligibility. He decided to join Dan Mullen’s squad, hoping to break a go-to receiving option to the offense.

The receiver made an impact right away in 2018 catching 26 passes for 364 yards and two touchdowns. A year later he upped that production to 33 receptions for 491 yards and 3 touchdowns. But his senior season at Florida was his cherry on top as Grimes played in every regular-season game and the SEC Championship Game recording 38 receptions for 589 yards and 9 touchdowns, a banner year for the receiver.

With the Gators having multiple weapons on offense, Grimes still found a way to stand out becoming a big target for quarterback Kyle Trask. He set  new career-high in catches against Arkansas and then matched that in the win over Tennessee.

Grimes wrapped up his Florida career in the SEC title game, catching four passes for 78 yards and a touchdown, including setting a career-high long on a 50-yard reception. He opted to sit out of the Cotton Bowl to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft.

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Former Gators star Pitts has all the tools to shine at the next level

With the loss of the nation’s top tight end Kyle Pitts, the Gators will have a lot of offensive production to replace next season.

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Name: Kyle Pitts

Number: 84

Position: Tight End

Class: Junior

Height: 6’6″

Weight: 246 pounds

Hometown: Philadelphia, Pa.

High School: Archbishop Wood

Twitter: @kylepitts__

2020 statistics:

REC YDS AVG TD LNG
43 770 17.9 12 71

Overview:

Kyle Pitts joined the Gators as one of the top tight ends in the 2018 recruiting class. A four-star recruit from Philadelphia, Pitts was expected to be a major contributor early in his Florida career.

His freshman season in 2018, he saw limited action. He played in 11 games, but most of his time came on special teams. In total, he had three catches for 73 yards, one of which went 52 yards for a touchdown against Idaho. Though his first season was a bit lackluster, his sophomore year saw him take a major step forward.

Pitts became Florida’s starting tight end in 2019, and after starting quarterback Feleipe Franks suffered an ankle injury that ended his season, Pitts became one of the favorite targets of backup quarterback Kyle Trask. He finished the season with 54 catches for 649 yards and five touchdowns.

Heading into his junior season with Trask returning under center, expectations were high for Pitts in 2020. And somehow, he exceeded them. He had 43 catches for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns, winning the Mackey Award and being nominated for the Biletnikoff Award in the process. He finished 10th in Heisman voting, the first tight end to crack the top 10 in 43 years. Injuries and the bowl game opt-out held Pitts out of four games, and it’s conceivable he could’ve competed with Devonta Smith for the Heisman if he played a full slate.

Pitts enters the 2021 NFL Draft as the top tight end prospect and a bona fide first-round pick, with some even projecting he could go in the top 10. In all likelihood, he will be UF’s first offensive skill position player taken in the first round since Tim Tebow in 2010.

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf0L7tkC5GI&feature=youtu.be

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Florida loses one of its best defensive players in Kyree Campbell

Senior Kyree Campbell, who has been a starter on the defensive line for the last three seasons, is moving on to the next stage of his career

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Name: Kyree Campbell

Number: 55

Position: DL

Class: Senior

Height: 6’4″

Weight: 295 pounds

Hometown: Woodbridge, Va.

High School: Woodbridge

Twitter: @CampbellKyree13

2020 statistics:

TOT SOLO AST SACK
24 3 21 1.5

Overview:

Kyree Campbell was never supposed to play for the Gators. When he graduated high school in 2016, he signed to play with North Carolina. But instead, he ended up attending a college prep, Wyoming Seminary. When his recruitment reopened, he signed with the Gators in December 2016 and enrolled the following January.

His first year on campus saw his action limited to a reserve role. He played in nine games and notched 12 tackles and a sack. His sophomore season in 2018, he started all 11 games he played in and made 37 tackles (3.5 for loss) and 1.5 sacks in addition to a fumble recovery.

He retained his starting role heading into the 2019 season, and he played and started all 13 games, earning a career-high 39 tackles. Injuries limited his production this season, and he appeared in just eight of Florida’s 12 games. When he played he made a big impact, such as against Georgia when he had a sack. He finished with 22 tackles (2.5 for loss) and 1.5 sacks. Following the conclusion of the 2020 season, he announced that he would not take advantage of an extra year of eligibility and is instead heading to the NFL Draft.

Video:

https://youtu.be/YUT-UVqn_Ig

Marco Wilson finishes tumultuous career in the Orange and Blue

Defensive back Marco Wilson finishes an up-and-down Florida career that saw many positive moments but many regretful ones, as well.

Name: Marco Wilson

Number: 3

Position: Defensive Back

Class: Redshirt Junior

Height: 6-foot-1

Weight: 191 pounds

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

High School: American Heritage

Twitter: @MJW_era

2020 statistics:

TOT SOLO AST SACK FF FR YDS INT YDS AVG TD LNG
33 24 9 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

Overview:

Marco Wilson joined the Gators with high expectations as a four-star recruit and the younger brother of Quincy Wilson, a star cornerback who had left for the draft the prior year. In 2017, he became just the fourth true freshman in school history to start at cornerback on opening day. Wilson went on to start all 11 games that season, notching 34 tackles and a team-high 10 pass breakups (the most by a true freshman since Vernon Hargreaves’ 11 in 2013).

He entered 2018 with high expectations, as he was selected to the Preseason All-SEC Third Team. But he suffered a season-ending injury in the second game, and he took a medical redshirt.

He returned in 2019 and started all 13 games. It was his best season at UF, as he had 36 tackles (2.5 for loss) and three interceptions.

During his final season in 2020, he struggled at times. He played in nine games (starting eight of them), and he had 33 tackles and four pass breakups. His season is perhaps best remembered for the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty he drew for throwing an LSU player’s cleat after a third-down stop, setting up a game-winning drive.

After the season, he declared for the 2021 NFL Draft, where he is considered to be a potential Day 3 pick.

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Kyle Trask ends Florida career with record-setting 2020 season

Kyle Trask finishes his Florida career as the school’s sixth all-time leader in career passing touchdowns despite only starting 22 games.

Name: Kyle Trask

Number: 11

Position: Quarterback

Class: Redshirt Senior

Height: 6-foot-5

Weight: 240 pounds

Hometown: Manvel, Tex.

High School: Manvel

Twitter: @ktrask9

2020 statistics:

CMP ATT CMP% YDS AVG TD INT LNG RTG
301 437 68.9 4,283 9.8 43 8 71 180

Overview:

Kyle Trask finishes his Florida career as the school’s sixth all-time leader in career passing touchdowns despite only starting 22 games. He finished his career with arguably the best season of any quarterback in school history in 2020, setting single-season school records in passing touchdowns (43) and passing yards (4,283) despite a shortened season against SEC-only competition.

For a while, though, it appeared Trask might not get his chance. He wasn’t even expected to get an offer at Florida. A backup in high school to D’Eriq King (now the starter at Miami), Trask’s only Division I offers other than UF were Houston Baptist, Lamar and McNeese State. But former coach Jim McElwain liked what he saw when Trask camped with the Gators, and he brought him on.

Trask joined the class with top quarterback recruit Feleipe Franks, and both redshirted their first seasons in Gainesville in 2016. The following year, Trask suffered an injury before the season that held him out the entirety of 2017. Meanwhile, Franks became the starter.

After a rocky first year under center for Franks, McElwain was fired and replaced with Dan Mullen. Franks initially struggled in 2018 and was benched during a blowout loss to Missouri for Trask. But a foot injury following that game ended Trask’s season, and he finished with 162 yards and a touchdown on 14-of-22 passing.

Trask entered the 2019 season as the backup once again but was thrust into the starter role when Franks suffered a season-ending ankle injury against Kentucky in September. Trask started the next 10 games, leading the Gators to an 11-2 record and finished with 2,941 yards, 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Franks transferred after the season, solidifying Trask’s role as the starter heading into 2020.

He improved in almost every way his last season. He was second in the nation in yards per game with 356, and he threw for 400 yards in five games (a school record). He also threw for at least four touchdowns in seven consecutive games this season, making him just the ninth FBS player since 2000 to do so.

He was a Heisman finalist for his efforts in 2020, finishing fourth in voting behind Trevor Lawrence, Mac Jones and the winner, Devonta Smith. He enters the 2021 NFL Draft as a potential Day 2 pick.

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Former Gators receiver Kadarius Toney is an athlete for the ages

Toney is one of the nation’s most electric players, and he capped his college career off with his most productive season yet in 2020.

Name: Kadarius Toney

Number: 1

Position: Wide Receiver

Class: Senior

Height: 6’0″

Weight: 193 pounds

Hometown: Mobile, Ala.

High School: Blount

Twitter: @0fficialC2N

2020 statistics:

REC YDS AVG TD LNG ATT YDS AVG TD LNG FUM LST
70 984 14.1 10 57 19 161 8.5 1 50 0 0

Overview:

Toney was initially a quarterback when he committed to play for former Gators coach Jim McElwain as part of the 2017 recruiting class. After arriving on campus, Toney quickly became a utility player, seeing sparse action as a runner, receiver and wildcat quarterback. As a true freshman, he totaled 272 yards and a score.

When coach Dan Mullen came in for the 2018 season, Toney’s role grew. He nearly doubled his production to 500 yards and he notched another score. He was expected to be a big part of the UF offense in 2019, but injuries held him out of several games. All in all, it was his least productive season. He netted just 255 yards and just a single touchdown again.

But he followed up a disappointing 2019 with a breakout 2020. Toney solidified his route-running skills and proved himself capable of being an every-down receiver. He was Florida’s leading receiver this season, making 70 catches for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns. Given his speed, athleticism and new-found technical prowess Toney could find himself an early pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

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2020-21 Florida Gators Men’s Basketball Profile Card: Samson Ruzhentsev

The Gators added Ruzhentsev as a high-end recruit, but he’s more of a play for the future than a readymade contributor.

Name: Samson Ruzhentsev

Number: 2

Position: Small Forward

Class: Freshman

Height: 6’7″

Weight: 231 lbs

Hometown: Chattanooga, TN

High School: Hamilton Heights Christian Academy

Twitter: @thesame_sam27

2019-20 Stats:

New roster addition in 2020-21

Overview:

The top recruit among Florida’s freshman this season, the 6-foot-7-inch Ruzhentsev was fairly well-known as a prep player especially thanks to his win in the Dr. Pepper Classic Dunk Contest. Searching his name on Twitter reveals a bumper crop of highlights, mostly of Ruzhentsev dominating at the rim and overpowering some unfortunate kid for an acrobatic layup or dunk.

As a Gator, he hasn’t been able to find much time on the floor yet through his first handful of games. It’s a predictable decision on the part of head coach Mike White to keep him on the bench, as Ruzhentsev is considered more of a project player than a polished one. However, if they play their cards right, Florida could have an exceptional player on their hands in a year or two.

The 247Sports scouting report on Ruzhentsev described him as a “confident scorer with ability to put up points from all three levels.” They them went on to praise his body control and defensive versatility. However, they note, to actualize his full potential, he’ll have to level up his “feel and shot selection.” Additionally, there’s room for him to add muscle to his frame as he grows into his adult body.

Don’t expect to see too much of Ruzhentsev on the court this season unless another important member of the Gators’ roster succumbs to injury. He’s a good candidate to be redshirted as the Florida coaching staff helps him transform his potential into realized talent and molds him into a feature player.

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-__2vW7TKQ

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