Florida Gators

Eleven Florida football players were named to Phil Steele's 2012 Midseason All-SEC Team, released on Thursday. Punter Kyle Christy, safety Matt Elam, defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd, running back Mike Gillislee and kicker Caleb Sturgis were all first team selections.

The Gators had three second-team selections with linebacker Jon Bostic, offensive lineman Jon Halapio and BUCK linebacker Lerentee McCray. Offensive linemen Jonotthan Harrison and Xavier Nixon joined tight end Jordan Reed on the third team offense.

Florida's 11 overall selections were more than any other school, while Florida and Alabama tied for the most first-team selections with five each. Florida and Texas A&M each had five offensive players selected, more than any other school, while the Gators' four defensive selections were one behind South Carolina's five players selected. Auburn, Florida and Texas A&M each had two special teams players chosen, although the Gators were the only school with both their punter and kicker selected.

Gillislee, who leads the Southeastern Conference at 109.6 rushing yards per game, has totaled 548 yards and seven touchdowns through the first five games. He has three 100-yard rushing games, highlighted by a 34-carry, 146-yard performance against LSU last weekend. Gillislee was named the Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week and the SEC Offensive Player of the Week following the LSU game.

Elam ranks third on the team with 26 tackles and has 3.0 tackles-for-loss with one sack. He also has one interception, two pass breakups and one forced fumble. Elam was named the SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week after racking up seven tackles against LSU and forcing a fumble in the third quarter that was recovered by the Gators. Floyd has 18 tackles and 3.5 tackles-for-loss with two quarterback hurries and helps lead a defense that ranks fourth in the SEC and 16th nationally against the run (allowing 103.8 yards per game).

Sturgis is 8-for-10 (.800) on field-goal attempts this season and made multiple attempts in the first three games. Sturgis has connected on both of his field goal attempts from beyond 50 yards and now has a school-record seven 50-plus yard field goals in his career. Christy leads the SEC with a 46.5-yard average on 24 punts. Nine of his 24 of his punts have been over 50 yards, nine have been inside the 20-yard line and eight have been fair caught.

Halapio, Harrison and Nixon have been the anchors of a much-improved offensive line that has paved the way for Florida's rushing attack. The Gators rank third in the conference and 24th nationally with 214.8 rushing yards per game.

Bostic is the team's second-leading tackler on the season, totaling 28 tackles with 5.0 tackles-for-loss and 2.0 sacks. He also has two pass breakups and two quarterback hurries. McCray has been a disruptive force in the BUCK position, recording 14 tackles with 2.5 tackles-for-loss and 2.0 sacks. He also has one interception, a forced fumble and two quarterback hurries.

Reed leads the Gators in both receptions and receiving yards this season. He ranks 13th nationally among tight ends with 19 catches and 19th nationally with 223 yards. Reed has been targeted 23 times and caught 19 passes, with 10 receptions resulting in first downs and 11 catches of 10-plus yards.

The Gators travel to Vanderbilt this weekend for a 6 p.m. kickoff on ESPNU.