A look at Gators' 5 Midyear Enrollees as O&B Debut looms

Freshman tight end Kemore Gamble made a favorable impression this spring. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA staff photographer)

A look at Gators' 5 Midyear Enrollees as O&B Debut looms

Wednesday, April 5, 2017 | Football, Scott Carter

Florida's midyear class isn't as big as 2016 but has made an impact in spring camp.

By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Gators took the field for last year's Orange & Blue Debut spring game with a roster loaded with newcomers.

Florida welcomed a school-record 13 midyear enrollees in January 2016, including three quarterbacks who played in the program's first night spring game: Austin Appleby, Feleipe Franks and Kyle Trask. In fact, several midyear enrollees offered a glimpse of what was to come when they made their UF debuts only weeks after arriving on campus.

Kicker Eddy Pineiro was the headliner, booting field goals from 52, 46 and 56 yards and hearing those "E-d-d-y, E-d-d-y" chants for the first time at The Swamp. Junior-college transfer running back Mark Thompson rushed for a game-high 46 yards, receiver Dre Massey caught a touchdown and linebacker David Reese finished with six tackles as he split time between the Orange and Blue teams.

Gator fans also got to see defensive back Chauncey Gardner make an impact by leading the Orange with five tackles. Gardner was a regular during the fall and capped his freshman season by earning Outback Bowl MVP honors in the Gators' win over Iowa.

This year's class of midyear enrollees is small in comparison.

Five Gators enrolled in January and have been with the team since spring camp opened: quarterback Kadarius Toney, linebacker James Houston IV, defensive tackle Kyree Campbell, offensive lineman Kadeem Telfort and tight end Kemore Gamble.

With those five set to make their UF debuts on Friday, let's take a glimpse at each player's prospects:

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38361 — Freshman Kadarius Toney has flashed enough this spring to factor into the plans this fall. (Photo: Courtney Culbreath/For UAA Communications)

KADARIUS TONEY, Blount (Ala.) High

Toney has served as the third-team quarterback during camp as Franks and Trask have battled for the job without injured Luke Del Rio (shoulder) participating. Toney's strength at this point in his career is his athleticism and versatility.

Gators head coach Jim McElwain has mentioned Toney as someone who has grabbed the coaching staff's attention on more than one occasion.

"I think there's going to be some things we're going to be able to do with him in some packages, a lot like we were doing with Dre a little bit, only more so that he really has been a quarterback,'' McElwain said.

Toney should get reps at quarterback on Friday and will immediately provide the offense with a different look than either Franks or Trask. As for any special packages for Toney, coaches usually don't roll much of those out in the spring game, so we'll see. Toney has also lined up at receiver during camp.

Regardless, sounds as if Toney has done enough to get on the field in some capacity as a true freshman primarily because of his playmaking ability.

"He pulled down and took one very quickly to the end zone from a ways away and caught the eyes of not only us as coaches but the team,'' McElwain said during camp.

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JAMES HOUSTON IV, American Heritage High

Houston has worked mostly on second team as he continues to get back into football shape after season-ending knee surgery his senior year of high school.

The Gators like the 6-foot-1, 233-pound Houston's skills but he needs more time to develop over the summer to give coaches a better idea of his chances at producing as a true freshman.

"He can do some drills, can't do some drills,'' linebackers coach Tim Skipper said recently. "We just have to keep him going. I'll know more about him when we get to August, but every rep he gets out here is precious."

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KYREE CAMPBELL, Woodbridge (Va.) High

A 6-foot-3, 323-pound space eater on the interior line, Campbell has flown under the radar in camp but has been a steady performer with the look of a player the Gators can rely on as a freshman.

Campbell originally signed with North Carolina out of high school but did not qualify academically and spent last fall at Wyoming Seminary Prep. His presence at UF helps the Gators fill void left by Caleb Brantley, who left school after his junior season to prepare for the NFL Draft.

With Taven Bryan and Khairi Clark returning at defensive tackle, Campbell is in good position to provide depth and possibly more in his first season. The spring game provides Campbell a chance to display the potential others have spoken about.

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KADEEM TELFORT, Miami Booker T. Washington High

When you are 6-foot-6 and 318 pounds, you tend to stand out. In his first action with the Gators, Telfort appears to have made his mark early. While he has taken mostly second-team reps behind tackles Martez Ivey and Jawaan Taylor, Telfort is expected to be part of the regular rotation if healthy.

"I wouldn't say he's stuck behind them because he could actually push,'' McElwain said earlier this spring in response to a question about Telfort's place on the depth chart. "He's doing a nice job. The old stuck-behind-a-guy deal. He's not stuck because the best guy's going to play."

Telfort's early arrival has been crucial for him to get acclimated to first-year offensive line coach Brad Davis and the team's system, which can only help him come fall camp when the competition heats up.

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KEMORE GAMBLE, Miami Southridge High

Gamble has had arguably the best spring camp of the five early enrollees. A 6-foot-3, 241-pound tight end with the ability to stretch the field and make plays on the ball, Gamble has shown the kind of attitude that has impressed McElwain.

"He'll be a factor. As of right now, he'll be playing," McElwain said this week. "He's just got to continue the communication piece, especially in the blocking stuff we need to do. But here's the thing I like about him is he's willing. The guy has got courage, he doesn't back down. He's got as good of hand-eye coordination, great ball skills as probably anybody on our team."

Gamble joins a position group that returns C'yontai Lewis, DeAndre Goolsby and Moral Stephens. If Gamble lives up to expectations and Lewis and Goolsby continue to improve, look for Florida's tight ends to have a productive season in 2017.

As for Gamble, McElwain isn't the only one praising his play. Tight ends coach Greg Nord raved about what the newcomer has provided in camp.

"He has a good feel for how to handle his body in a tight situation and he knows how to get in and out of cuts,'' Nord said. "You see a good player like him out there playing at your position, you know you better improve your game as well or he'll get your snaps. He's a very talented player and I think there's going to be great things happening for him here at the University of Florida."