Gators Open Spring Practice on Feb. 28; Pro Day Set for March 28

Gators Open Spring Practice on Feb. 28; Pro Day Set for March 28

Monday, January 30, 2017 | Football

Florida’s five early enrollees will start their collegiate careers in one month.

By: Will Pantages

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The two-time defending SEC East champion Florida football team opens spring practice on February 28. In addition, the Gators will host their Pro Day on March 28 at Florida's Indoor Practice Facility.

Coming off a 9-4 season in head coach Jim McElwain's second season, the Gators will have a different look in 2017. That makeover starts this spring with five early enrollees starting their collegiate careers this spring.

The group of mid-year enrollees includes defensive lineman Kyree Campbell (Woodbridge, Va./Wyoming Seminary Upper School), ), tight end Kemore Gamble (Miami/Miami Southridge), linebacker James Houston (Fort Lauderdale/American Heritage), athlete Kadarius Toney (Eight Mile, Ala./Blount) and offensive lineman Kadeem Telfort (Miami, Fla./Booker T. Washington).

After practicing during the week of Feb. 28, Florida will not practice during the week of March 6 due to spring break. The Gators will resume their spring schedule the following week beginning on the Monday the 13^th.

The Gators are looking to build on the momentum they've created in and around the program as Florida enters Coach McElwain's third season. Since he arrived at Florida, UF ranks second in the SEC in total wins (19) and conference wins (13). However, the team that stands first in each of those categories is Alabama, who defeated UF in the last two SEC Championship Games.

McElwain recently said just getting to Atlanta is not the goal.

"When we get back to Atlanta next season, we're going to kick the door down!" -- @CoachMcElwain #GoGators #Swamp17 #ChompChomp pic.twitter.com/gUiURak6ha
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) January 21, 2017

McElwain will speak to the media twice before the start of spring camp. First, he will meet the press on Wednesday, Feb. 1 to discuss National Signing Day. McElwain will then speak late in the month of February prior to Florida's first spring practice.

Spring practice will conclude with Florida's annual spring game on the evening of April 7. The 2017 Orange & Blue Debut, presented by Sunniland, will be held that night in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Admission to the game will be free. More details, including a kickoff time, will follow regarding events surrounding the game.

The Gators lost several key players from last season, highlighted by defensive linemen Caleb Brantley, Joey Ivie and Bryan Cox, linebackers Jarrad Davis and Alex Anzalone, defensive backs Marcus Maye, Teez Tabor and Quincy Wilson, quarterback Austin Appleby and offensive lineman David Sharpe.

Those players will participate Florida's Pro Day, which is closed to the public. Details for that event will be announced at a later date.

Stay tuned to FloridaGators.com to find all of UF's National Signing Day coverage this week and more news regarding spring football and all things Florida Gators.