GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Gators have learned there's going to be individual concerns when running a training camp during a pandemic. That was evident on the first day when four players – receivers
Kadarius Toney,
Trevon Grimes and
Jacob Copeland, plus defensive lineman
Zachary Carter – opted to remain away from the team for precautionary reasons.
By the start of the second week, all four players were in camp as the Gators prepare for their Sept. 26 season opener at Ole Miss. Gators head coach
Dan Mullen said Tuesday that having the trio of receivers back on the field provides an obvious boost.
"It's good to have those guys out there," he said. "I mean, I support all the decisions the guys make. They've got a lot going on, a lot of different personal deals and we're here to support them and help them as best we can. Good to have some of those guys out to create depth."
Grimes had 33 receptions for 491 yards last season, Copeland 21 for 273, and Toney 10 for 194 in his injury-marred season (seven games). For those interested in the math, the trio owns 64 of the 66 catches last season by returning wide receivers, or 96.9 percent.
Rick Wells hauled in the other two receptions. Junior tight end
Kyle Pitts led the Gators in 2019 with 54 receptions but the wideout foursome of
Van Jefferson,
Freddie Swain,
Josh Hammond and
Tyrie Cleveland took a combined 139 receptions and 1,705 yards with them to the NFL.
Justin Shorter
While Mullen is likely sleeping better at night having the players back, transfer receiver
Justin Shorter made a favorable impression during their absence. The Gators remain hopeful the NCAA grants Shorter, a redshirt sophomore from Monmouth Junction, N.J., who had 12 receptions for 137 yards at Penn State last season, immediate eligibility for the 2020 season.
Mullen said the school continues to wait for a ruling as Shorter states his case on the field.
"The great thing, you have a veteran guy like Justin Shorter doing an unbelievable job," Mullen said. "He was there kind of leading the way. It was great for him, great adjustment for him being an older, veteran guy getting in there while those guys were gone and really showed what he can do."
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Shorter arrived at Penn State as the No. 8 overall prospect and No. 1 receiver in the 2018 recruiting class. He was the highest-rated offensive prospect to sign with the Nittany Lions since Derrick Williams in 2005.
Following the 2019 season, Shorter opted to enter the transfer portal. He entered the transfer portal in late November and announced in January that he was transferring to Florida.
FITTING IN
Mississippi State grad-transfer offensive lineman
Stewart Reese, who played for Mullen at Mississippi State, is finding his footing with the Gators. The 6-foot-6, 350-pound Reese is the older brother of Gators sophomore linebacker
David Reese.
Newcomer Stewart Reese in action during his career at Mississippi State. (Photo: Courtesy of MSU)
Reese started 13 games at right tackle for the Bulldogs in 2017, Mullen's final season in Starkville. He started at right tackle in 2018 and in 2019, he played in eight games, starting the first seven at right guard.
He adds a veteran influence to a deeper UF offensive line.
"One, he understands what we expect in the program, so that's not a shock for him, there's no change there," Mullen said. "It's been two years since he has kind of run the system and we've tweaked some things, but I think there's a lot of familiarity and he's played a lot of football. I think it's coming back to him pretty quickly, which is great and a little different than a regular grad-transfer because it's a guy who has played in the system before."
COVID-19 TESTING
The University Athletic Association released updated test results on Tuesday afternoon:
QUOTE OF NOTE I
"We're not a program that relies purely on guys' talents. We try to continue to build, nurture and grow those talents to make them better football players." – Mullen on player development philosophy
QUOTE OF NOTE II
"He's an athletic dude. He made a spectacular catch today, leaping over somebody. It was ridiculous." – Mullen on junior tight end
Kyle Pitts
EXTRA POINTS
Mullen praised redshirt junior running back
Malik Davis as a receiver, specifically his ability as a route runner to create space. Davis and junior
Dameon Pierce will be counted on to pick up some of the production from the departure of
Lamical Perine, who had 40 receptions in 2019 … Mullen said Tuesday was the eighth practice of camp and that the Gators have had two days in full pads … To create depth and experience, Mullen said the Gators have used five different players at center, including sophomore
Ethan White.
