Keeping Up With Roster Changes: You're Gonna Need A Roster To Keep Track
Ricky Pearsall, a wide-receiver transfer from Arizona State, has already turned a lot of heads early. Pearsall recently just got awarded the coveted Florida No. 1 jersey, an honor which must be earned each season.
By KYLE CURTIS
In an off-season of change in not only the Florida Gator football program but all of the NCAA, Florida fans have been looking for some stability.
Since Billy Napier has arrived in Gainesville, he has made it a point to establish change throughout the program. With the change, comes departure.
Not only the Gators, but programs all over the country are falling victim (and also benefiting) from the transfer portal. Most recently, former five-star running back Demarckus Bowman transferred to UCF to join former Gator Kemore Gamble. Bowman received plenty of touches in the Spring game, although fumbling twice. In a loaded running back room, Bowman was going to be fighting for touches all year.
Additionally, due to Billy Napier being a first-year head coach, he is allowed to dismiss previously instated scholarship players from the program. Although, the players are allowed to stay on campus and remain under scholarship if they wish (NCAA Bylaw 15.5.1.7).
The Florida coach was sitting at 90 scholarship players while having to whittle it down to 85. Safety Mordecai McDaniel, defensive lineman Chris Thomas, receiver/special teams specialist Fenley Graham and receiver Marcus Burke were all released from the program.
They have all since entered the transfer portal and have Billy Napier in position with his 85 scholarship players ready to suit up.
On a good note, the Gators had a productive off-season in terms of transfer portal pickups.
Ricky Pearsall, a wide-receiver transfer from Arizona State, has already turned a lot of heads early. Pearsall recently just got awarded the coveted Florida No. 1 jersey, an honor which must be earned each season.
Additionally, Napier also brought over talent from his Top 25 Rajun Cajuns from last season. All-American interior lineman O’Cyrus Torrence and all Sun Belt running back Montrel Harris will compliment Anthony Richardson in the backfield and in pass protection.
Pearsall will look to fill in for the loss of Jacob Copeland this season. Copeland entered the transfer portal shortly after the conclusion of last season and is now enrolled at Maryland.
In this new era of college football, the transfer portal is something that fans and coaches are going to have to become accustomed to.
Napier talked about the state of the transfer portal and how it is viewed in the college football landscape.
“I think that it’s a little bit like NFL free agency to some degree except when a team maybe overpays, there’s no cap penalty going forward,” Napier said (Gatorswire.com).
The way Napier compares the transfer portal in today’s game speaks volumes of where it truly stands. The new norm in college football is here.
Looking from a different parameter, this also changes the recruiting game. Now high-school players who are between two schools and end up transferring later in their college career leave the door open for school B to sweep in.
In an interesting but exciting time for college football, the additions and departures of the Florida Gators this off season will have the Gators in fine shape when the ball gets kicked off against Utah opening night.
Just curious how a guy is turning heads when he hasn't even practiced with the team yet. Are they running wind sprints in the parking lot?
Kemore Gamble, not Kenmore. He’s not a Sears appliance.
A couple of weeks ago it was declared, and Marcus Burke confirmed, that his name was errantly listed. Apparently he’s still on the team and will compete for a prominent role in the receiver rotation.