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Former Auburn defensive tackle DaQuan Newkirk has committed to play for the Florida Gators in 2021 as a grad transfer. Newkirk broke the news himself in an announcement from his personal Twitter account.
Newkirk has had an injury-troubled college career, but 2020 was his most productive season since enrolling at Auburn in 2018. He started the entire 10-game slate of the Tigers’ schedule and recorded 28 tackles, including 1.5 sacks. He’s an adequate starting-caliber tackle and will slot nicely next to fellow transfer Antonio Shelton, who the Gators snagged out of the transfer portal on January 7th.
It’s a honor to be coming home, thank you @CoachDanMullen @coachdt48 @CoachTGrantham @coachcrimedawg let’s get to work @GatorsFB !!! pic.twitter.com/okLPdtWKvR
— Daquan Newkirk (@holdthat_2) January 14, 2021
Newkirk was touted as one of the best JUCO recruits in the nation when he came out of Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. in 2018. A native of Orlando, Florida, he now stands at 6-foot-3-inches tall and weighs 317 pounds. As a grad transfer, he’ll only have one season of eligibility at Florida.
“I wanted to go out with a bang for my last season,” said Newkirk to GatorsTerritory. “So I told myself, ‘why not do it at home?'”
The Gators will undoubtedly appreciate his experience and ability to battle SEC offensive linemen. Tedarrell Slaton and Kyree Campbell, the core of the team’s defensive interior in 2020, are both expected to seek homes in the NFL next season. That left Dan Mullen in a tough spot, making it no surprise that he turned to the transfer market for a little help up the middle.
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