KYLE CURTIS: O'Cyrus Torrence Could Never Work For Publix Because He Doesn't Allow Sacks
Updated: Aug 6, 2022
“You wouldn’t know you’re going against a pro until you go against O’Cyrus (Torrence). He does it the right way.” – Gervon Dexter.
By KYLE CURTIS
GatorBaitMedia.com
The biggest thing O’Cyrus Torrence had to endure since moving from Louisiana to Florida wasn’t necessarily blocking 312-pound Gervon Dexter, or even the heat you’re thinking of.
Torrence claims the biggest difference between Gainesville and his old hometown of Lafayette, LA is people here don’t like spicy food. Other than that, football has been football for Torrence as he has been a standout to the staff during offseason preparation.
Torrence approaches every day as a pro and just another opportunity to get better.
“He’s big, he’s twitchy,” said offensive line coach Rob Sale. “Football comes easy to O’Cyrus.”
Torrence’s stats speak for themselves as he has yet to give up a sack in his collegiate career of over 1,000 snaps. Torrence credits his success to his time at dedicating to correct technique and continuing to work on his craft. While receiving a lot of preseason recognition, Torrence is not getting caught up in the media and continues to keep his head down and work.
“It feels good,” said Torrence on his preseason recognition during recent UF Media Day. “But it makes me want to work harder to make me deserve it. I still feel like I got more to unlock to be at my best.”
With Torrence, Ethan White and Michael Tarquin all holding the trenches for the Gators, the sky is the limit for this group.
The constant theme of everyone who spoke at media day was the attention to detail Napier adheres to, similar to what Torrence referred to when discussing his habits with technique and work ethic.
One of Napier’s standards that he has set is that all players wear the same color socks. An emphasis this offseason was for the team to become one unit rather than offense, defense and special teams. Napier emphasized that in order to be a well-oiled machine, all the parts must be working to complement each other.
“Complementary football,” is a common term around the team.
“He’s going to work you hard. But he’s going to love you too,” said Torrence. “It’s more than just football. It’s like a family deal.”
Napier has instilled these thoughts not only into Torrence onto the whole team. When practice first began under Napier, fights broke out and it wasn’t uncommon for teammates to have to break each other up. Now, as Torrence referred to, teammates are willing to compete against each other but also want to help each other get better with the same end goal in mind.
“I have seen so many changes from the first practice to now,” said Torrence. “Now we can practice together, and it is smooth.”
Back to the socks.
While it may seem like a small, irrelevant detail, it symbolizes more. It symbolizes this team becoming one unit that moves in unison.
“You won’t see a blue sock out there,” said Gervon Dexter.
Napier likes white socks.
Sure enough, on the first day of Fall camp, all players were in their white socks like what was said just 24 hours before by his players.
Torrence embodies the sock symbol of what it is like to take each rep and every little detail seriously. This is what separates good teams from great teams, he says.
“You love playing for coaches like him (Billy Napier). He’s calm but very stern in his approach and pays attention to detail,” said Torrence. “He makes you want to play as hard as you can for him.”
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