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Kam Waites 6'8" 372 LB, ULL OL commits to Gators; targeting 2 others- CB Mekhi Garner& OG O'Cyrus Torrence.

Jeff from Jax

Jeff from Jax

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The Gators landed a commitment from the transfer portal on Monday afternoon, securing the talents of offensive lineman Kam Waites. Though Waites was an unrated recruit and didn’t play in any games during his freshman season last year, the Gators are already familiar with his play. He was a Louisiana recruit out of high school under Billy Napier and spent the 2021 season working with current Florida offensive line coach Darnell Stapleton.

https://sports.yahoo.com/gators-land-commitment-massive-transferring-202349396.html?src=rss

EDIT

Articles differ in number of games played but should be an automatic RS either way.

"...Waites only played in 3 games this year & received a RS; has 4 years of eligibility left."

https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/f...of-transfer-offensive-lineman-from-louisiana/

Plays center now; who knows where he will end up.

Remember Ethan White & the changes he made in one year.
 
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He played in 3 games last year for ULL and was able to keep his redshirt
 
"...The two Louisiana-Lafayette players also happen to be a couple of the best players Florida Gators coach Billy Napier has coached during his time as head coach at ULL over the past four years."

Redshirt sophomore cornerback Mekhi Garner 6-foot-2, 217 pounds, was an Honorable Mention All-Sun Belt Conference performer in 2020

and sophomore offensive lineman O'Cyrus Torrence, 6-foot-5, 332 pounds, is a right guard, who has played sparingly at right tackle.

They put their names in the transfer portal on Sunday, according to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg.

https://www.si.com/college/florida/...t-ull-transfer-portal-players-garner-torrence
 
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Jeff from Jax said:
"...The two Louisiana-Lafayette players also happen to be a couple of the best players Florida Gators coach Billy Napier has coached during his time as head coach at ULL over the past four years."

Redshirt sophomore cornerback Mekhi Garner 6-foot-2, 217 pounds, was an Honorable Mention All-Sun Belt Conference performer in 2020

and sophomore offensive lineman O'Cyrus Torrence, 6-foot-5, 332 pounds, is a right guard, who has played sparingly at right tackle.

They put their names in the transfer portal on Sunday, according to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg.

https://www.si.com/college/florida/...t-ull-transfer-portal-players-garner-torrence
Click to expand...
I’d take Torrence for sure. He’s a good player and would have a good chance to start for us. As for Garner he’s a good player but not a huge need unless Elam does go pro and then I would say that would open up a spot for him.
 
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PacoGator19 said:
I’d take Torrence for sure. He’s a good player and would have a good chance to start for us. As for Garner he’s a good player but not a huge need unless Elam does go pro and then I would say that would open up a spot for him.
Click to expand...
Paco,

Elam has announced he going Pro.

Any new thoughts on Garner ?

Also, I note that -
4* CB Dwight McGlothern from LSU - 6'2" 180 lbs class of 2020
and
4* CB Latrell McCutchin from Oklahoma - 6'1" 176 lbs class of 2021

Both entered the transfer portal today.

Any feel for either of them as a replacement for Elam ?
 
Jeff from Jax said:
Paco,

Elam has announced he going Pro.

Any new thoughts on Garner ?

Also, I note that -
4* CB Dwight McGlothern from LSU - 6'2" 180 lbs class of 2020
and
4* CB Latrell McCutchin from Oklahoma - 6'1" 176 lbs class of 2021

Both entered the transfer portal today.

Any feel for either of them as a replacement for Elam ?
Click to expand...
Garner committed to LSU. It doesn’t appear UF pursued him at all
 
Michi_Gator said:
What is Billy’s plan here?

transition classes suck but we are currently 5th as far as transition classes go.

Hopefully something on NSD can bump us a little
Click to expand...
I think his plan is to try to mitigate the disaster Mullen left. The class was worse than the Titanic when he was fired. Frankly, if his plan was to put 99% of his effort into next year's class (and later years) I could get on board with that.
 
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Gator DB's projected for 2022:
I listed all DB's instead of just CB's, because several of them can play either plus Nic.

Starters Gone:
S/Nic/CB Trey Dean III
CB Kaiir Elam
=====

CB Jaydon Hill 6-0 182 (pre-season injured out 2021)
CB Jason Marshall Jr 6-0 191 So
CB Jadarrius Perkins 6-1 182 Sr
CB Avery Helm 6-1 180 rsSo
CB Ethan Pouncey 6-1 175 rsSo (2 Gms)
CB Jordan Young 6-0 185 rsFr (1 Gm)
CB/Nic Dakota Mitchell 5-11 182 rsFr

S Tre'Vez Johnson 5-11 192 Jr
S Rashad Torence II 6-0 205 Jr
S Mordecai McDaniel 6-1 191 Jr (7 Gms)
S Kamar Wilcoxson 6-1 200 rsSo
S/KR Fenley Graham Jr 5-9 171 rsSo (1 Gm)
S Donovan McMillon 6-1 197 So (6 Gms)
S Corey Collier Jr 6-1 176 rsFr

Recruits: (per 247)

#2 S Kamari Wilson 6-0 200 ***** signed
#21 S Devin Moore 6-3 190 **** signed

CB/S/Nic Positions will wait for Spring to begin to settle out.
 
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LizardGrad89 said:
I think his plan is to try to mitigate the disaster Mullen left. The class was worse than the Titanic when he was fired. Frankly, if his plan was to put 99% of his effort into next year's class (and later years) I could get on board with that.
Click to expand...

i get that.

but the old “save them for next year strategy” isn’t going to work like it did pre-portal

still have to fill spots this year even if its with portal kids who only stay a year or two

but the old “take 14 this year and 32 next year” days are long gone
 
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instaGATOR said:
Gator DB's projected for 2022:
I listed all DB's instead of just CB's, because several of them can play either plus Nic.

Starters Gone:
S/Nic/CB Trey Dean III
CB Kaiir Elam
=====

CB Jaydon Hill 6-9 182 (pre-season injured out 2021)
CB Jason Marshall Jr 6-0 191 So
CB Jadarrius Perkins 6-1 182 Sr
CB Avery Helm 6-1 180 rsSo
CB Ethan Pouncey 6-1 175 rsSo (2 Gms)
CB Jordan Young 6-0 185 rsFr (1 Gm)
CB/Nic Dakota Mitchell 5-11 182 rsFr

S Tre'Vez Johnson 5-11 192 Jr
S Rashad Torence II 6-0 205 Jr
S Mordecai McDaniel 6-1 191 Jr (7 Gms)
S Kamar Wilcoxson 6-1 200 rsSo
S/KR Fenley Graham Jr 5-9 171 rsSo (1 Gm)
S Donovan McMillon 6-1 197 So (6 Gms)
S Corey Collier Jr 6-1176 rsFr

Recruits: (per 247)

#2 S Kamari Wilson 6-0 200 ***** signed
#21 S Devin Moore 6-3 190 **** signed

CB/S/Nic Positions will wait for Spring to begin to settle out.
Click to expand...
I thought Dean said he was coming back
 
instaGATOR said:
Gator DB's projected for 2022:
I listed all DB's instead of just CB's, because several of them can play either plus Nic.

Starters Gone:
S/Nic/CB Trey Dean III
CB Kaiir Elam
=====

CB Jaydon Hill 6-9 182 (pre-season injured out 2021)
CB Jason Marshall Jr 6-0 191 So
CB Jadarrius Perkins 6-1 182 Sr
CB Avery Helm 6-1 180 rsSo
CB Ethan Pouncey 6-1 175 rsSo (2 Gms)
CB Jordan Young 6-0 185 rsFr (1 Gm)
CB/Nic Dakota Mitchell 5-11 182 rsFr

S Tre'Vez Johnson 5-11 192 Jr
S Rashad Torence II 6-0 205 Jr
S Mordecai McDaniel 6-1 191 Jr (7 Gms)
S Kamar Wilcoxson 6-1 200 rsSo
S/KR Fenley Graham Jr 5-9 171 rsSo (1 Gm)
S Donovan McMillon 6-1 197 So (6 Gms)
S Corey Collier Jr 6-1176 rsFr

Recruits: (per 247)

#2 S Kamari Wilson 6-0 200 ***** signed
#21 S Devin Moore 6-3 190 **** signed

CB/S/Nic Positions will wait for Spring to begin to settle out.
Click to expand...
Trey Dean is back for 2022.
gatorswire.usatoday.com

Key Florida starter to return for a 5th year in 2022

Trey Dean will forego the NFL draft and return to Florida for his fifth and final season.
gatorswire.usatoday.com gatorswire.usatoday.com
 
Michi_Gator said:
i get that.

but the old “save them for next year strategy” isn’t going to work like it did pre-portal

still have to fill spots this year even if its with portal kids who only stay a year or two

but the old “take 14 this year and 32 next year” days are long gone
Click to expand...
I like the addition of Trevor but I'm hoping to see some more razzle dazzle out of the skill positions on offense. Especially the WR position. I don't even care if it's the athletic type like Toney.
 
Ooopppps on Dean. 🙃 -- Thanks for the correction guys.

But that means that by listed position, they are OVER-LOADED (10) at the safety position.
Some of those safeties are going to need to play Nic/CB I'm guessing???

S/Nic/CB Trey Dean III 6-3 206 rsSr+
S Tre'Vez Johnson 5-11 192 Jr
S Rashad Torence II 6-0 205 Jr
S Mordecai McDaniel 6-1 191 Jr (7 Gms)
S Kamar Wilcoxson 6-1 200 rsSo
S/KR Fenley Graham Jr 5-9 171 rsSo (1 Gm)
S Donovan McMillon 6-1 197 So (6 Gms)
S Corey Collier Jr 6-1176 rsFr

Recruits: (per 247)
#2 S Kamari Wilson 6-0 200 ***** signed
#21 S Devin Moore 6-3 190 **** signed
 
On a different note, how about this guy?

Listed as an Ath, but he played QB with his team making the FL 7A Playoffs.
He also competes in track and field events.
Mom was a 3X All-SEC volleyball player at Florida.
Dad played WR at UCF and is now the head coach at Bucholz.
A very solid, smart, team player, like his older Gator brother, WR Trent.
I've been hoping that he'd want to join his brother as a Gator.

Ath/QB-dt Creed Whittemore 6-0 175 ***
Offers - UF-- aTm-Neb-Stan-UCF-FSU-Mia-WF-WVa -- 13 total.

2021: Played primarily QB for a Bucholz team that went 8-2 and made the FL 7A state playoffs.
HS Sr 10 Games
Passing - 1,675 yards with 23 TD's, 4 Ints.
Rushing - 353 yds, 2 TD's, 5.4 ypc.
 
PacoGator19 said:
O’Cyrus Torrance visiting UF this weekend
Click to expand...
Paco,

Late addition but Good to hear !

Transfer Portal shows him as "100%", but does not have the "Committed" tag next to his name.

Not sure what that means. Assume he either has not signed the final paperwork or it may be working its way through the system.

Maybe it will pop out over the weekend & get several of the other players there to committ.
 
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Jeff from Jax said:
Paco,

Late addition but Good to hear !

Transfer Portal shows him as "100%", but does not have the "Committed" tag next to his name.

Not sure what that means. Assume he either has not signed the final paperwork or it may be working its way through the system.

Maybe it will pop out over the weekend & get several of the other players there to committ.
Click to expand...
He’s not committed anywhere at the moment. It’s likely down to UF, LSU & Auburn. Auburn has apparently offered him a very nice NIL package
 
Michi_Gator said:
i get that.

but the old “save them for next year strategy” isn’t going to work like it did pre-portal

still have to fill spots this year even if its with portal kids who only stay a year or two

but the old “take 14 this year and 32 next year” days are long gone
Click to expand...
But if you want a net +10 transfers out of the portal this year, you need 10 schollies to be available. So you would still be sitting at 14 freshmen. I don't think we are disagreeing on this. If the pickings are slim in the recruits, then portal up and stay at 14 freshmen. If those guys mostly have 1 year left, then next year you are still looking for a big class.
 
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LizardGrad89 said:
But if you want a net +10 transfers out of the portal this year, you need 10 schollies to be available. So you would still be sitting at 14 freshmen. I don't think we are disagreeing on this. If the pickings are slim in the recruits, then portal up and stay at 14 freshmen. If those guys mostly have 1 year left, then next year you are still looking for a big class.
Click to expand...

yes, I was just saying you no longer need to leave “empty” spots.
 
Michi_Gator said:
What is Billy’s plan here?

transition classes suck but we are currently 5th as far as transition classes go.

Hopefully something on NSD can bump us a little
Click to expand...

The plan better be competing with NIL some if we want top 6 classes starting with the 2023 class. Hopefully we can add a few more good ones this class.
 
gatordad3 said:
Football-Gators-add-second-ULL-lineman-OCyrus-Torrence-through-portal
Click to expand...
gatordad,

Can't take credit for this quote, but loved it !

"...6-5, 355 and already knows the system. Hopefully, he’ll be a leader and help instill some pride and fight in the False Start Superstars we’ve had to suffer with the last few years."

Mr Truth - comment on Saturday Down South

"...Torrence was inserted into a starting spot at guard in the second game of his true freshman season in 2019 and started 13 of the 14 games the Ragin’ Cajuns played that year. He became the first true freshman to start a game for ULL on the offensive line since Jesse Newman started against ULM on Nov. 20, 2004."

"...Across 37 games and 1,146 pass-blocking snaps, Torrence has yet to allow a sack in his career, according to Pro Football Focus."

https://www.si.com/college/florida/football/florida-gators-ocyrus-torrence-transfer-louisiana
 
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instaGATOR said:
Gator DB's projected for 2022:
I listed all DB's instead of just CB's, because several of them can play either plus Nic.

Starters Gone:
S/Nic/CB Trey Dean III
CB Kaiir Elam
=====

CB Jaydon Hill 6-0 182 (pre-season injured out 2021)
CB Jason Marshall Jr 6-0 191 So
CB Jadarrius Perkins 6-1 182 Sr
CB Avery Helm 6-1 180 rsSo
CB Ethan Pouncey 6-1 175 rsSo (2 Gms)
CB Jordan Young 6-0 185 rsFr (1 Gm)
CB/Nic Dakota Mitchell 5-11 182 rsFr

S Tre'Vez Johnson 5-11 192 Jr
S Rashad Torence II 6-0 205 Jr
S Mordecai McDaniel 6-1 191 Jr (7 Gms)
S Kamar Wilcoxson 6-1 200 rsSo
S/KR Fenley Graham Jr 5-9 171 rsSo (1 Gm)
S Donovan McMillon 6-1 197 So (6 Gms)
S Corey Collier Jr 6-1 176 rsFr

Recruits: (per 247)

#2 S Kamari Wilson 6-0 200 ***** signed
#21 S Devin Moore 6-3 190 **** signed

CB/S/Nic Positions will wait for Spring to begin to settle out.
Click to expand...
Love the addition of Jalen Kimber
 
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The Gator's 2022 Spring Projected Roster,,, by class order:
2022 Summer/Fall additions are in BOLD.

QB's
Emory Jones 6-2 211 rsSr - EE
Anthony Richardson 6-4 236 rsSo- EE
Jalen Kitna 6-4 210 rsFr - EE
Carlos Del Rio-Wilson 6-2 225 rsFr
Jack Miller 6-4 210 rsFr - (tOSU xfer)
Jack Anders 6-1 203 rsSo (W-O)
Kyle Engel 6-0 190 rsSo (W-O)
-----
Max Brown 6-3 200 Fr
==========

RB's
Lorenzo Lingard 6-0 203 rsSr
Nay/Quan Wrightr 5-9 196 rsJr
Demarkcus Bowman 5-10 193 rsSo
Carlson Joseph 5-10 191 rsSo
Montrell Johnson 5-10 184 So - (ULL xfer)
Cornelius Barnes 6-0 171 rsFr (W-O)
Justin Curtis ?? rsSr (W-O xfer Stetson, WR/ST/KR)
Carlson Joseph 5-10 194 rsFr (W-O)
-----
Trevor Etienne 5-9 218 Fr
==========

WR's
Jordan Pouncey 6-1 210 rsSr
Justin Shorter 6-5 228 rsSr
Trent Whittemore 6-4 211 rsJr
Ja'Markis Weston 6-3 215 rsJr
Ja'Quavion Fraziars 6-3 220 Jr
Xzavier Henderson 6-3 195 Jr
Marcus Burke 6-4 187 rsFr
Daejon Reynolds 6-2 205 rsFr
Taylor Spierto 5-11 206 rsFr
-----
Caleb Douglas 6-3 185 Fr
=====

#31 Ath/TE-WR Arlis Bordingham 6-4 220 Fr
=====

TE's
Keon Zipperer 6-3 242 Sr
Jonathan Odom 6-5 240 rsSo
Nick Elksnis 6-6 243 rsFr - EE
Gage Wilcox 6-4 230 rsFr
-----
Tony Livingston 6-4 260 Fr (TE/OT?)
Hayden Hansen 6-6 256 Fr
==========

OL
LT Richard Gouraige 6-5 312 rsSr
LG Ethan White 6-5 319 Sr
OC Kingsley Eguakun 6-4 303 rsJr
RT Michael Tarquin 6-5 302 rsJr
Riley Simonds 6-6 303 rsJr
Will Harrod 6-5 325 rsJr
Kaleb Boateng 6-4 285 rsJr
RT/OG Josh Braun 6-6 342 Jr
RG O'Cyrus Torrence 6-5 322 Jr (ULL xfer)
Richie Leonard 6-2 310 rsSo
Mark Pitts 6-6 322 rsSo
Austin Barber 6-6 312 rsFr
Jake Slaughter 6-5 303 rsFr
Yousef Mugharbil 6-4 318 rsFr
Hayden Clem 6-2 290 rsFr
Kamryn Waites 6-8 372 rsFr (ULL xfer)
-----
OG Jalen Farmer 6-5 325 Fr
OG Christian Williams 6-4 320 Fr
OT David Conner 6-6 270 Fr
==========

Other than WR, could portal a couple more there, the positions rooms on offense look well stocked. And barring a nasty rash of injuries at WR, they should be good for 2022.

Feel free with posting any corrections or additions...
 
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LrgK9 said:
yeah, this one hurt. Cristobal got Addae too.

Looks like trying to replace with Auburn’s Zac Etheridge.

Addae was really good recruiting, relationships, and coaching.
Click to expand...

Mario is going to be a huge pain in the ass. Maybe BN biggest roadblock to get to where he wants.

i feel sorry for Norvell. (Well I don’t but that guy is finished)
 
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