Gator Reads: Taven Bryan feature, Twitter poll, more tidbits

Taven Bryan has an opportunity to become a force on the Gators' defensive line in 2017. (Photo: Jay Metz/UAA Communications)

Gator Reads: Taven Bryan feature, Twitter poll, more tidbits

Friday, August 25, 2017 | Football, Scott Carter

A look at the latest links covering the Gators.

By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Taven Bryan has always been something of an enigma.

A physical specimen. A kid from Wyoming who opted to play college football at Florida. Sort of aloof and quirky. Funny without trying to be.

I recall that was my impression in January 2014 when I first met Bryan, one of nine early enrollees that season. His answer that day to a question about why he chose Florida:

"I really didn't have any plans on coming down to an SEC school,'' Bryan said. "I didn't think I would like it. My dad kind of convinced me to come down to Florida. I just kind of showed up one day. I was standing in the Gator Room and I called up one of the coaches."

35199 — Gators defensive lineman Taven Bryan in last season's win at LSU. (Photo: Courtney Culbreath/UAA Communications)

Classic Bryan. Simple and to the point, no hyperbole or spin to add artificial drama.

Nearly four years later, Bryan enters his redshirt junior season with a lot of buzz around him. His teammates rave about his pure strength. The image is Paul Bunyan in shoulder pads. The 6-foot-4, 291-pound Bryan has been a modest contributor in his two seasons of playing – he redshirted his first year on campus. He has 27 career tackles.

Still, the potential is there for so much more as Bryan moves into a more meaningful role.

"This guy is arguably the best athlete on our football team. I'm sure many of the players would tell you the same thing,'' head coach Jim McElwain told Adam Kramer of Bleacherreport.com.

Kramer recently stopped through town and spent some time with Bryan for a profile. Equally important, he visited Wyoming …

We begin 25 minutes outside of Casper, Wyoming, surrounded by hayfields and dirt roads in daylight and by pure darkness at night. It is here off Bishop Road that you'll find an industrial building unlike any you have seen before. It is 100 feet long and 50 feet wide, sitting on more than 32 acres of land …

If you are interested in learning more about Bryan, please check out Kramer's story.

*****

The season opener is eight days away and we offer you a chance to chime in on Florida's unsettled quarterback battle …

POLL: Not who "you want" to start at quarterback, but who "you think" will be #Gators starting QB vs. Michigan?
— Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) August 25, 2017

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Let's take a look at other links with the latest on Florida football heading into the final weekend before the season starts:

Veteran safety Nick Washington battling shoulder injury writes Jordan McPherson of SECCountry.com.
Freshmen James Robinson and Ventrell Miller cited for marijuana possession writes Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun.
The Jim Harbaugh Effect: More sizzle than steak? That is question Matt Baker of The Tampa Bay Times poses about the Michigan head coach.
Three quarterbacks isn't yet a crowd for Gators coach Jim McElwain writes Garry Smits of the Florida Times-Union.
Fredrick Johnson huge key for Gators offensive line writes Thomas Goldkamp of 247Sports.com.
We know you guys love uniforms, so you should check out ESPN.com's annual Uni Watch college football preview.
Freshman receiver Daquon Green is catching on via Edgar Thompson of The Orlando Sentinel.