A Big Man, A Big Impression
Friday, August 19, 2016 | Football, Scott Carter
Gators offensive lineman lost 50 pounds prior to UF arrival and has made his mark early.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Gators head coach Jim McElwain spoke Friday of the transformation of freshman defensive back McArthur Burnett, who arrived at UF in January weighing 157 pounds. Burnett has added 29 pounds to his 5-foot-9 frame over the past seven months to elevate his status in the secondary.
Another promising freshman took the opposite route. Offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor weighed more than 380 pounds when he participated in a UF camp in the summer of 2015. Offensive line coach Mike Summers had a piece of advice: lose weight.
Taylor went back home to Cocoa, Fla., and dropped 50 pounds during his senior season. The 6-foot-5 Taylor was listed at 339 pounds soon after joining the Gators in late June.
The physical transformation has allowed Taylor to stand out among the first-year players in preseason camp.
"He's dominating,'' sophomore O-lineman Martez Ivey said. "He's going to play somewhere."
Defensive end Bryan Cox Jr., who checks in at 6-3, 260, was impressed immediately with Taylor's athleticism for such a big frame. His toughness, too.
"He can move out there,'' Cox said. "He definitely has a mean streak in him."
Taylor has been taking reps at left tackle behind projected starter Fred Johnson. He recently injured his ankle, which cost him some playing time as the Gators sort out roles on a line that is now missing Antonio Riles, who is out for the season with a knee injury.
The Gators offered Taylor a scholarship near the end of his senior season at Cocoa High, where he was a teammate of freshman defensive back Chauncey Gardner and a member of the Class 4A All-State Team.
McElwain is encouraged by Taylor's quick adjustment to the college game during camp
"He started out great,'' McElwain said. "Now we've got to see if he can fight through this. But he's a guy we definitely thought was going to help us this year. He is an Energizer bunny out there. He's got to learn how to deal with the ankle a little bit and go out and get it."
