Prior to fall camp getting underway in August, take a look back at the rich tradition that is Florida football.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Gator Standard.
Relentless Effort.
Those two phrases have become synonymous with Florida football since
Dan Mullen came home to Gainesville on Nov. 26, 2017. Embedded within those words is the tradition and foundation for success that has created the brand for this special program.
Before the next chapter of Gator football is written this fall, let's take a look back at the rich tradition that has been built in Gainesville position-by-position.
Week 1:
Quarterbacks
Week 2: Defensive Line
- Facts:
- UF has had 12 defensive lineman selected in the first round of the NFL Draft since 1989, which is most of any school over that span.
- All-Time UF Defensive Linemen Selected in the First Round
- 3rd overall, 2015: DE Dante Fowler, Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
- 3rd overall, 2001: DT Gerard Warren, Cleveland Browns
- 6th overall, 1995: DE Kevin Carter, St. Louis Rams
- 8th overall, 2008: DE Derrick Harvey, Jacksonville Jaguars
- 12th overall, 1989: DT Trace Armstrong, Chicago Bears
- 15th overall, 1995: DT Ellis Johnson, Indianapolis Colts
- 15th overall, 1991: DE Huey Richardson, Pittsburgh Steelers
- 16th overall, 1999: DE Jevon Kearse, Tennessee Titans
- 17th overall, 2017: DE Jarvis Moss, Denver Broncos
- 20th overall, 1971: DE Jack Youngblood, Los Angeles Rams
- 23rd overall, 2013: DT Sharrif Floyd, Minnesota Vikings
- 24th overall, 1999: DT Reggie McGrew, San Francisco 49ers
- 29th overall, 2018: DT Taven Bryan, Jacksonville Jaguars
- 29th overall, 2014: DT Dominique Easley, New England Patriots
- Ten defensive lineman have been recognized as First-Team All-Americans:
- Val Heckman (1958)
- Lynn Matthews (1965)
- Jack Youngblood (1970)
- David Galloway (1981)
- Trace Armstrong (1988)
- Huey Richardson (1990)
- Brad Culpepper (1991)
- Kevin Carter (1994)
- Alex Brown (1999, 2000)
- Sharrif Floyd (2012)
- Culpepper was Florida's first William V. Campbell Trophy recipient in 1991, which is presented to the nation's premier scholar-athlete.
- DT Ellis Johnson garnered National Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1994.
Each of those men listed above, and others not mentioned, had excellent careers and memorable moments during their time at the University of Florida.
However, for the brevity of this article we're going to focus on three individuals.
Youngblood:
Culpepper:
Carter:
As you can see above, each of them had a laundry list of accolades throughout their playing careers.
But it's never about the awards and individual honors. It's about the comradery, brotherhood built with their teammates and the memories that were last a lifetime.
Check out some highlights of these three Gator Greats.
Youngblood:
Culpepper:
Carter:
Starting Sunday our series will move onto kick returners.
