Tag: Richard Gouraige

Florida offensive lineman officially declares for the 2023 NFL draft

Senior offensive lineman Richard Gouraige has declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, joining teammates O’Cyrus Torrence and Anthony Richardson

Florida Gators’ offensive lineman [autotag]Richard Gouaige[/autotag] has officially declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, according to a statement made on his Twitter account.

The 6-foot-5-inch, 271-pound senior was considered one of the cornerstones of the Florida offensive line this season. Along with Louisiana transfer  [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag], Gouaige was vital in establishing the Gators’ rushing attack as one of the best in the nation. Torrence also declared for the 2023 NFL Draft and was named a Consensus First-Team All-American for the 2022 season.

Gouaige’s Twitter announcement came on the Monday after the Gators’ 30-3 Las Vegas Bowl loss to Oregon State, giving Florida a 6-7 record to end the season. While not made official before the bowl game, Gouaige was always expected to declare for the draft. So much so, that analyst Pat McAfee mentioned early on in the game that Gouaige was playing in the game despite his professional aspirations. Monday’s announcement can as more of a formality than a surprise.

Florida is expected to be active in the transfer portal this offseason, with over a dozen players having left the program via the portal since the end of the regular season. With Gouraige and Torrence heading to the draft, and three more in the portal (Joshua Braun, Yousef Mugharbil, Griffin McDowell), the offensive line is officially a position of need in the portal and in recruiting.

Early signing day is Wednesday, Dec. 21. The Florida Gators currently have the No. 11 class in 2023, with 19 of their 21 commitments coming from four-star prospects, according to 247Sports.

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Florida football sets team captains ahead of Las Vegas Bowl

Napier named just two Gators to lead the team in the Las Vegas Bowl. Here’s who he picked.

Just a day ahead of Florida football’s matchup with the No. 16 Oregon State Beavers in the 2022 Las Vegas Bowl the Gators announced the two players who will serve as team captains on early Friday afternoon. Linebacker [autotag]Amari Burney[/autotag] and offensive lineman [autotag]Richard Gouraige[/autotag] both earned the honor in what will be the final game wearing the beloved Orange and Blue for the two.

Typically, [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] anoints four captains per game this season but decided the buck the trend in the bowl game — perhaps due to the roster attrition experienced as the regular season came to a close.

Burney played in all 12 games this fall, recording a career-high 71 tackles as well as two forced fumbles and a pair of interceptions — one of which sealed the season-opening win over the Utah Utes. It was the third-straight season the linebacker saw action in every game the Gators played and saw him finish on top with his best overall performance in Gainesville.

Gouraige helped anchor an offensive line that was among the best seen in Gainesville since the mid-1980s, also appearing in every game this season. The redshirt junior still has a year of eligibility remaining but decided to test the waters in the professional ranks by declaring for the 2023 NFL draft.

Nonetheless, unlike some of his peers, the offensive lineman will still play in Florida’s bowl game as well as the Senior Bowl. Burney’s future after Florida is still largely unknown.

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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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Florida offensive lineman named to Senior Bowl ahead of 2023 NFL draft

Richard Gouraige has accepted an invitation to the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl. He joins Ventrell Miller for the annual pre-draft event.

Florida Gators senior offensive lineman [autotag]Richard Gouraige[/autotag] accepted an invitation to play in the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Held in Mobile, Alabama, the 2023 Senior Bowl will be announcing its participants throughout the rest of the month. It is the preeminent college showcase game for prospective NFL prospects where famously, the prospects are coached by NFL coaching staffs.

Last season, the Jets and Lions — both teams that held top-five picks in the 2022 draft — provided their sideline gurus for the event. The coaches for the 2023 Senior Bowl have not been announced yet.

As the season progressed, the Gators’ rushing attack emerged as the offense’s strong suit, with Gouraige playing an integral role in that success. The Florida offense 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). Gouraige was the offensive lineman with the most experience heading into the 2022 season.

Gouraige is expected to play in Saturday’s Las Vegas Bowl against Oregon State. With All-American [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag] sitting out due to his NFL draft prospects, Gouraige will need to step up and provide the offensive line unit with the leadership he has shown all season long if the rushing attack is going to be as successful as it has been during the regular season.

Top players like [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] and [autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag] will join Torrence in sitting out the bowl game. In addition, over a dozen players have entered the transfer portal since the end of the season. That lack of depth is concerning for their game on Saturday, which starts at 2:30 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on ESPN.

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Florida completes flip of this 4-star FSU OL commit

Billy Napier and Co. have successfully flipped four-star offensive lineman Roderick Kearney from the Florida State Seminoles.

The Gators continued to dominate the state of Florida on the recruiting trail Monday. Four-star offensive lineman [autotag]Roderick Kearney[/autotag] took to Twitter to announce a flip in his commitment from FSU to Florida, bringing the class of 2023 to 22 commits.

It doesn’t take a college football expert to understand the significance of beating out a rival program for an in-state blue chipper, but Kearney should be the highest-ranked offensive lineman signed by Florida since 2018 ([autotag]Richard Gouraige[/autotag] was ranked in the top 100). For a school and fanbase looking for signs of a swift turnaround, nothing could be more promising than a win in the trenches. The previous regime struggled to recruit offensive linemen, and [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag]’s crew is looking to change that narrative.

Landing Kearney is a good start. He’s an aggressive interior lineman that’s constantly working on the little things to get where he wants to be. His strength is against the run right now, but he’s looking to grow and become a better all-around player by the time he’s in Gainesville.

Kearney picked FSU over UF shortly after visiting the Swamp, but the Gators’ persistence paid off in the end. Kearney’s commitment secures Florida’s spot at No. 8 in 247Sports’ team rankings for now. Clemson was breathing down UF’s neck, and now there’s about a 2.5-point gap between the two programs. Passing LSU would take a major signing or two, though.

The 247Sports composite ranks Kearney at No. 123 overall in the class of 2023 and No. 4 among interior offensive linemen. On3 is even more bullish on him, ranking him at No. 66 overall in the class.

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These 4 Gators to serve as team captains for USF game

Here are the four Gators who will serve as team captains against the South Florida Bulls.

Florida football is getting geared up for its Week 3 date with the South Florida Bulls in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium this Saturday and ahead of the in-state matchup, head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] has released his four team captains for the upcoming game.

Outside linebacker [autotag]Brenton Cox Jr[/autotag]. was among those picked to lead the team against USF. The highly-heralded hybrid linebacker has been a leader on and off the field for the Gators, with his 12 tackles so far good enough for fourth-best on the team — which also included a half-tackle for a loss. The redshirt junior also leads the team in quarterback hits, with three.

Offensive tackle [autotag]Richard Gouraige[/autotag] also got the call due to his diligence on the offensive line. The redshirt junior has kept quarterback [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] protected while also helping to open seams for the running game. The offensive line has allowed just one sack so far while helping the ground game earn 423 rushing yards.

Running back [autotag]Montrell Johnson[/autotag], a transfer during the offseason who followed Napier from the Lousiana Ragin’ Cajuns, gets the nod as a sophomore thanks to his team-leading 137 rushing yards on 19 carries along with a touchdown. The sophomore has been the focal point of a Cerberus-like backfield for the Gators and is well-acclimated with the new head coach’s system.

Finally, there is punter [autotag]Jeremy Crawshaw[/autotag], who is in his second year as the Gators’ primary punter. The sophomore from Australia pinned his opponent inside their own 20-yard line on three of five attempts last week while averaging 47.4 yards per punt. He has also stood out as a vocal leader on the special teams squad.

Florida kicks off its game against USF at 7:30 p.m. EDT on Saturday, with the game broadcast on the SEC Network and head on the Gators Radio Network.

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2022 Florida Football Season Preview: Offensive Line

Florida’s offensive line was fairly strong in 2021. Returning three starters and adding a preseason AP All-American should help the unit build on what it accomplished last year.

The last group on offense left to go through in Gators Wire’s position-by-position breakdown of the 2022 Florida football roster is the offensive line.

Twenty-two players deep, the offensive line is the biggest group on the list, but [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] has recently said that the team only has around eight players in the position room ready for gameday action. The starting unit seems fairly well-defined as fall camp comes to a close, and there are a few rotational pieces that should lighten the load on those starters.

Guard [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag] was the big addition to the room via the transfer portal, and UF is returning three starters to the line. Last year’s unit was quite strong, allowing just 14 sacks, finishing seventh in college football in average sacks allowed per game and finishing 23rd in team rushing yards per game. If the returning players can build on the SEC experience they’ve gained over the years, and Torrence can live up to his preseason All-American status, then Florida should be in for another strong year up front.

Here’s a look at all 22 offensive linemen on the Gators’ 2022 fall football roster.

See also:

2023 Florida Football Season Preview: Quarterbacks

2023 Florida Football Season Preview: Running Backs

2023 Florida Football Season Preview: Wide Receivers

2023 Florida Football Season Preview: Tight Ends

These 6 Gators named to 2023 Senior Bowl watch list

These six senior Gators earned an early honor.

The start of Florida football’s 2022 campaign is right around the corner, which means it is high time for some preseason watchlists. The 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl watch list is among the many organizations that have published their prospective rosters for its upcoming annual event, which included six senior Gators.

Linebacker [autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag], defensive back [autotag]Trey Dean III[/autotag], wide receiver [autotag]Justin Shorter[/autotag], offensive lineman [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag], edge [autotag]Brenton Cox Jr[/autotag]. and offensive lineman [autotag]Richard Gouraige[/autotag] all made the cut among the 484 position players who were evaluated by the bowl’s staff. In last year’s Senior Bowl, just two Gators participated with running back [autotag]Dameon Pierce[/autotag] and defensive tackle [autotag]Zachary Carter[/autotag] representing the Orange and Blue.

Here is the organization’s summary of the honor.

We are excited to release the 10th Annual Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List.  Our scouting team has been working since last February to identify the “best of the best” draft prospects at every level of college football for the 2023 NFL Draft.  All 484 position players (non-specialists) who made the list were evaluated by our staff and tape-based grades were logged on hundreds of other senior prospects.  Every player on this list is eligible to participate in an all-star game as either a 2018 high school graduate or true four-year player (with five or more games played in three previous seasons).  This list does not include many true or redshirt juniors who could become eligible as December 2022 (or earlier) graduates.

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Return visit scheduled for this top 2024 offensive lineman

The Gators are set for a return visit from this highly-coveted blue-chip recruit.

The college football season is quickly approaching for the Florida Gators, and while the fanbase is preparing for the upcoming gridiron action, the coaches and staff continue to work tirelessly on the recruiting trail. Despite the 2023 class quickly coming to a close, [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag]’s eyes remain fixed on the long view as the program looks to rebuild the image of the Orange and Blue.

Among those the Gators have been keeping an eye on is four-star offensive lineman [autotag]Eddy Pierre-Louis[/autotag] out of Tampa Catholic in Tampa, Florida — who also happens to be the brother of current offensive lineman [autotag]Richard Gouraige[/autotag]. The in-state target recently told Gators Online that he plans on attending the team’s season opener against the Utah Utes on September 3, joining a growing number of recruits planning on making their way to Gainesville for the game.

The 6-foot-3-inch, 335-pound trench warrior had predictably made several previous trips to UF in the past given his fraternal connection, receiving an offer from [autotag]Dan Mullen[/autotag] prior before being re-offered by Napier after a stop in Hogtown last June. Things appear to be trending well in Florida’s favor, in the rising junior’s own words.

“It’s going real well. I talk to the coaches a little bit, like, every three weeks,” Pierre-Louis told Gators Online. “We’ve been building a connection lately and just seeing where it goes right now.

“They really don’t talk about me with my brother. They have mentioned me playing with him, but I doubt that’s going to happen. I would love to play with my brother though,” he added.

Pierre-Louis is ranked No. 161 overall and No. 13 at his position in his class nationally according to 247Sports, while On3 has him at Nos. 114 and 19, respectively. On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine has the Gators out front for his services with a 38.7% chance of landing him while the UCF Knights are in second at 22.8% and Auburn Tigers at 10%.

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These 2 Gators named to Outland Trophy preseason watch list

Gervon Dexter and O’Cyrus Torrence were named to the Outland Trophy preseason watch list, given to the nation’s best interior lineman.

Defensive lineman [autotag]Gervon Dexter[/autotag] and offensive lineman [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag] were both named to the Outland Trophy preseason watch list, an award issued annually to the nation’s best interior lineman, regardless if they play on the offensive or defensive side of the ball. The Football Writers Association of America has presented the trophy since 1946 and will announce this year’s winner on December 8.

This is one of the many preseason recognitions that Torrence has received this offseason. The Louisiana transfer was named to the preseason All-SEC First Team at SEC media days last week. He was also named a preseason All-American by multiple outlets including Phil Steele, Sporting News, Walter Camp and ESPN. Along with his on-field impact, Torrence has been a major help in implementing first-year head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag]’s system, even being referred to as “Coach O’Cyrus” by fellow offensive lineman [autotag]Richard Gouraige[/autotag].

Not to be overshadowed by his offensive counterpart, Dexter has earned early recognition of his own. The junior defensive lineman was named a preseason All-American by Walter Camp and Sporting News and was named to the preseason All-SEC list by Athlon and Phil Steele. He is expected to follow up a breakout 2021 season where he started nine games and appeared in all 13 games for the Gators.

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