Tyreak Sapp – Syndication Server

2023 Florida Football Position Preview: EDGE/JACK

Florida’s pass rush has a chance to be elite in 2023 with Princely Umanmielen leading the way and a group of young edge rushers behind him.

Florida’s edge rushing corps is filled with position converts and true freshmen, but it might very well be one of the deepest position rooms on the roster heading into 2023.

Despite a season-ending injury to a major contributor, the Gators still have a loaded room of edge rushers ready to go. Defensive lineman turned JACK Princely Umanmielen has the most experience among the group. He’s emerged as a team leader and should help guide the front seven during games.

Tyreak Sapp is another lineman turned edge rusher who could start, and a trio of true freshmen appear to be game-ready.

Here’s a look at every edge rusher on Florida’s 2023 fall roster.

2022 Florida Football Season Preview: Defensive Line

One of the biggest question marks heading into the 2022 season for Florida might be the defensive line. There’s not a whole lot of experience to work with but there’s plenty of talent.

There’s less than a week left until Florida kicks off the 2022 college football season, and Gators Wire is breaking down the entire roster before kick-off. After working our way through the offense, it’s time to look at the defensive side of the ball, the unit that struggled significantly more in 2021.

First up is the defensive line, which includes both tackle positions and a strongside defensive end. [autotag]Gervon Dexter[/autotag] Sr. is the outright leader of the group following the departure of veterans such as [autotag]Zach Carter[/autotag] and [autotag]Khris Bogle[/autotag] among others. The position room is relatively young and inexperienced, leaving Dexter as the only player locked into a starting role.

The good news is that those young players should be ready to take a big step forward. It will become evident who can handle the increased workload and who can’t rather quickly, and the depth chart should be much more clear following the first few weeks of action. Still, we have a pretty good idea of what things will look like up front for UF against Utah on Saturday.

Here’s a look at all 12 offensive linemen on the Gators’ 2022 fall football roster. Edge rushers will be included with our breakdown of the outside linebackers on the team.

This big-time 4-star 2021 Florida football signee enrolls

After a transcript hangup, defensive lineman Tyreak Sapp has officially enrolled at the University of Florida.

Florida added the final pieces of its 2021 recruiting class to the roster on Friday, as four-star defensive lineman Tyreak Sapp officially enrolled in school and arrived on campus for fall camp. Mullen said last week when the team began camp that it was working to get Sapp into school, which was delayed due to a transcript hangup, according to 247Sports’ Blake Alderman.

He has apparently finished what he needed to enroll in the fall, and he’ll be with the Gators the rest of camp. A four-star recruit out of St. Thomas Aquinas and the No. 100 player on the 247Sports Composite, Sapp’s matriculation was crucial for Florida. He was the third-highest-rated recruit in the class.

Sapp has been committed to the Gators since December 2018, and he signed during the early signing period this cycle. A versatile defensive lineman with the ability to add weight to his frame, he could stay outside, where he primarily played in high school, or bulk up and move inside.

According to 247’s scouting report, the latter is more likely.

Stocky build with developed shoulders and large traps. Has the ability to add more mass in the lower half once in college. A youth football star that got snaps early on in his high school career because of his quick hands and quick feet. Uses a desired motor to get sideline to sideline and track down ball carriers. Has a chance to be a big end at the next level, but likely slides inside which means that he will need to improve his pad level as he tends to play high at times out on the edge. Should find his way into the backend of a Power 5’s defensive line rotation by year two or three and then eventually develop into a starter. NFL potential given athletic profile.

With the recruiting still lagging behind the nation’s elite teams, Florida can’t afford to let top recruits not make it to campus. Sapp’s arrival should be a sigh of relief for Gators fans, and his impact on the team could be felt immediately as a rotational depth player.

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This key Florida signee reportedly working to get into school

Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said that the team expects linebacker Tyreak Sapp to qualify, but he’s still yet to enroll.

The Florida football team began it’s fall camp on Friday, but one of the top players from its 2021 recruiting class is still yet to enroll: former St. Thomas. Aquinas defensive end Tyreak Sapp. At his press conference on Friday, Gators defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said that Sapp is still working to qualify academically, though he’s expected to join the team shortly, according to Gators Territory’s Nick De La Torre.

Sapp is a four-star recruit and the No. 100 player in the nation, per the 247Sports Composite. Though the Fort Lauderdale native probably won’t see much action as a true freshman in 2021, assuming he ends up on the team as expected, he will very likely play a major role in the defensive line rotation in the years to come.

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UF is no stranger to top players failing to qualify. It has failed to bring four-star recruits to campus in the last two recruiting classes, notably 2019 linebacker Diwun Black, who eventually enrolled at Florida after all as a JUCO transfer this summer.

The Gators beat out the Miami Hurricanes to land a commitment from Sapp, who also had offers from schools like Alabama and Ohio State. At 6-foot, 2-inches and 255 pounds, he already has great size to play the position and will only bulk up once he enters Florida’s strength program. Though he has the athleticism to play on the end, he likely projects as an interior lineman once he develops.

All indicators are that Sapp will be able to make it to campus, but until he officially enrolls in the school (which he was initially planning to do on Thursday) Gator nation will hold its collective breath.

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This key Florida signee reportedly working to get into school

Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said that the team expects linebacker Tyreak Sapp to qualify, but he’s still yet to enroll.

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NFL legend Jason Taylor praises this Florida football recruit

While we still have to wait a few months until we see Tyreak Sapp on the field, NFL legend Jason Taylor is already praising him.

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As part of Dan Mullen‘s 2021 football recruiting class, the Florida Gators are welcoming in four-star defensive end Tyreak Sapp. The Fort Lauderdale, Florida native is ranked as a top 100 recruit and should make an immediate impact with the program.

The 6-foot-2-inch, 255-pound Sapp is ranked as the No. 7 defensive end in the 2021 class and pledged his commitment to Florida over Miami, Alabama, Louisville, Georgia Tech and others as he finished his recruitment with 10 offers.

But while we have to wait a few months until we see Sapp on the field, one NFL legend is already praising him.

Former NFL defensive end Jason Taylor was able to get close with Sapp in his high school career, serving as a coach on St. Thomas Aquinas’ staff.While working with Sapp in his career, Taylor broke down what Florida is getting in the big time recruit as he spoke with Rivals’ reporter Chad Simmons:

“Florida is getting a hell of a kid in Tyreak,” said Taylor. “At St. Thomas Aquinas, we are fortunate to have a great group of kids, but there are certain kids that you coach where it hurts when they are done, and Tyreak is one of those for me.

“I am going to start crying talking about it. Sapp is one of those kids. I have been with him since 9th grade, I have gotten to work with him for four years, and I have seen him grow all around as a young man.

“He is an aggressive player that loves contact. He loves to hit. He loves to play hard. He wants to dent facemasks. He wants to hurt people.

The Gators are hoping that Sapp plays at a high level and potentially more to boost their defense for the future. And if he’s anything like Taylor says, then the Gators are in for a good time.

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Florida Gators commit Tyreak Sapp and St. Thomas Aquinas to play on ESPN2

The four-star defensive end will get the chance to showcase his talents on national TV at 2020 GEICO High School Football Showcase.

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ESPN announced the matchups for the final week of their 2020 GEICO High School Football Showcase on October 23, and one of the games will feature a future Florida Gator, four-star strongside defensive end Tyreak Sapp.

A senior at St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Sapp and his Raider teammates will host the American Heritage Patriots at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, November 6 on ESPN.

In addition to Sapp, St. Thomas Aquinas fields four-star defensive end Dallas Turner, an Alabama Crimson Tide commit, and inside linebacker Jaydon Hood, a fellow four-star who has pledged to the Michigan Wolverines.

The Raiders play their home games at Brian Piccolo Stadium. Piccolo, who graduated from the school in 1961, when it was still known as Central Catholic High School, went on to earn Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Player of the Year honors with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in 1964 and player five seasons in the National Football League with the Chicago Bears.

Unfortunately, Piccolo passed in June 1970 at the age of only 26 due to cancer. His friendship with backfield mate Gale Sayers was chronicled in the 1971 made-for-TV film, Brian’s Song.

The other game on ESPN’s final week slate will feature two schools from Oklahoma, the Booker T. Washington Hornets at the Bixby Spartans at 8 p.m. ET the day prior, Thursday, November 5.

Bixby captured their second consecutive Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) state championship in 2019, while one of Booker T. Washington’s standout players will also be taking his talents to the Southeastern Conference, 2021 three-star cornerback Keuan Parker, an Arkansas Razorbacks commit.

According to the 247Sports Composite, Sapp is the fourth highest-rated prospect in Florida’s upcoming class, trailing only Miami Palmetto teammates, five-star cornerback Jason Marshall, Jr. and four-star safety Corey Collier, and Birmingham, Alabama four-star weakside defensive end Jeremiah Williams.

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Florida Gators in mix for three more 2021 top football prospects

ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren released his latest predictions for the top remaining uncommitted prospects with UF making the cut for 3 of the names.

Currently consisting of 24 members, the Florida Gators’ 2021 recruiting class is ranked No. 6 in America and third-best in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), per the 247Sports Composite.

This grade is already the highest of any of the four classes compiled during head coach Dan Mullen’s tenure, and the program appears primed to add even more firepower to the group.

ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren released his latest predictions for five of the top remaining uncommitted prospects in the cycle on August 26 (subscription required), with the Gators making the cut for three of the names.

According to VanHaaren, the player to watch is Vanguard (Ocala, Florida) four-star strong-side defensive end Bryce Langston, a teammate of fellow 2021 Florida commit Trevonte Rucker, a four-star wide receiver.

“Langston had been committed to Florida since 2018 but decommitted in 2019,” VanHaaren pointed out.

“That was a case in which a prospect made a decision too soon, backed off, but still had interest in the school. The Gators continued pursuing him, and Langston was able to visit campus before the dead period was put in place.

“The lack of any visits might help Florida get him in the end. Without the opportunity to take an actual visit and see a place like LSU in person for a game, that could make a big difference in any recruit’s process.”

Listed at 6-foot-2.5-inches and 250 pounds, Langston is the 247Sports Composite’s No. 11 player at his position in the class and a top-20 player in the state. Echoing VanHaaren’s prediction, the Gators hold all six of his Crystal Ball Predictions, including ones from Blake Alderman and Steve Wiltfong.

One of the other prospects Florida made the shortlist for was Robinson Secondary (Fairfax, Virginia) five-star offensive tackle Tristan Leigh.

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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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Gators recruiting target four-star DE Tunmise Adeleye decommits from OSU

Four-star strongside defensive end prospect Tunmise Adeleye announced on Tuesday his decision to decommit from OSU for the 2021 class cycle.

Four-star strongside defensive end prospect Tunmise Adeleye announced on Tuesday via Twitter his decision to decommit from Ohio State University for the 2021 recruiting class cycle.

The country’s No. 4 rated strongside defensive end and No. 30 overall recruit in the 2021 class according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings out of prospect powerhouse IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., committed to Ohio State back in April. At the time he said it was a lifelong dream of his to be Buckeye, but it appears that he has had a change of heart.

Elite #Gators DL Target decommits from Ohio State following Florida’s surge on the trail. UF is the obvious team to watch here. https://t.co/VWA9ZRPJ66

— Zach Goodall (@zach_goodall) August 11, 2020

OSU is one of four schools listed by 247Sports as “warm” interest locations for the young defensive lineman’s services, which also includes the University of Florida, Alabama and Texas A&M.

While there are some concerns regarding size and athleticism, the 6-foot-3-inch, 245-pounder would add some more beef to a defensive line class that already includes five-star SDE Tyreak Sapp and three-star Justus Boone, as well as three-star defensive tackles Christopher Thomas and Desmond Watson, the latter who just recently committed to the Gators back on July 30.

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