Gators have packed on weight in trenches since end of last season
Friday, February 27, 2015 | Football, Scott Carter
Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Andrew Mike has added team-high 26 pounds. (Photo: Tim Casey)
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida's updated football roster reveals some significant weight gain among the offensive and defensive linemen.
The biggest gainer is redshirt freshman offensive lineman Andrew Mike, who was listed at 6-foot-6, 276 pounds last season. Mike now checks in at 302 pounds, a 26-pound boost for a young player the Gators hope to contribute in 2015.
Another redshirt freshman offensive lineman, Kavaris Harkless, is now listed at 292 pounds, adding 10 pounds to his 6-5 frame. Redshirt sophomore Cameron Dillard is now at 309 pounds, up from 297 pounds last season.
Redshirt offensive lineman Antonio Riles Jr., who is 6-foot-4, has added 17 pounds and is listed at 312 pounds. Meanwhile, sophomore David Sharpe, who played a year ago at 330 pounds, is now listed at 6-6, 350 pounds. Sharp is the heaviest player on the roster.
On the defensive line, redshirt freshman Taven Bryan is up to 275 pounds. He was listed at 6-5, 260 last season. Junior Joey Ivie, a member of the regular rotation last season, has increased his weight from 285 pounds to 293. Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Thomas Holley has added eight pounds and now checks in at 6-3, 320 pounds.
Redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Caleb Brantley, who recorded 21 tackles in 12 games last season, has bulked up to 319 pounds, a 24-pound increase over his 6-2, 295-pound measurables from last fall.
Both early enrollees have benefited from Florida's offseason conditioning program heading into spring practice. Freshman tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe has added 13 pounds and is now listed at 6-3, 225 pounds. Freshman receiver Kalif Jackson (6-4, 201) has added 10 pounds since he joined the program.
Overall, 10 scholarship players have added 10 or more pounds from a season ago, including redshirt freshman defensive back Deiondre Porter (from 165 to 176) and redshirt freshman defensive lineman Justus Reed (from 213 to 226).
