Carter's Corner: Waites Arrives, Diabate Departs, Jones Remains, More Gators Tidbits
Wednesday, January 5, 2022 | Football, Scott Carter
In college football, the transfer portal is buzzing the first week of 2022.
There are 1,400 FBS players in the portal - or about 11 players per team.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) January 4, 2022
Coaches are creating new portal-focused scouting positions, the NCAA increased signing limits to combat portal transfers & now we have "QB Portal Flips."
"It's a new reality." https://t.co/ZHpD8DVNXh
The Gators' roster, like pretty much every other program in the country, is currently fluid. The latest addition is offensive lineman Kamryn Waites, a transfer from Louisiana where he played in three games last season.
A 6-foot-8, 358-pound prospect from Dallas, Waites arrived at UF over the weekend to rejoin former Louisiana coach Billy Napier at Florida. Prior to signing with the Ragin' Cajuns, Waites garnered attention as a center in basketball while at the Universal Academy in the Dallas area.
Welcome home @Kamariwilson1 & @Thegreatwaites 🐊 #ChosenFew22 #GoGators pic.twitter.com/9JMzVMecpr
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) January 3, 2022
Meanwhile, linebacker Mohamoud Diabate made it official on Tuesday night and announced he is transferring to Utah. Coincidentally, Diabate's first game with the Utes is scheduled to be at "The Swamp" in the 2022 season opener.
Diabate led the Gators with 89 tackles as a junior. He is expected to be a leading candidate to replace NFL-bound Devin Lloyd at Utah. In three seasons at UF, Diabate appeared in 37 games, starting 17, racking up 176 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, six sacks, three forced fumbles, two pass breakups and an interception.
Let's get it #GoUtes @Utah_Football pic.twitter.com/9rvwoh1M4D
— Mohamoud Diabate (@MDiabate11) January 5, 2022
The Gators reconvened Tuesday afternoon for a team meeting that included quarterback Emory Jones in attendance. Jones announced last month that he planned to transfer after the Gasparilla Bowl, and while that may still be the case later in the year, Jones is not currently in the transfer portal.
An update on Florida QB Emory Jones:
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 5, 2022
Had been expected to enter the transfer portal but hasn't officially done so at this point and, per sources, is still with the team at Florida. Is enrolled in classes and took part in a team meeting yesterday.https://t.co/dVpPTB07U9
ONE-MONTH ANNIVERSARY
Napier touched down in Gainesville a month ago today for his introductory press conference. A lot has happened since then, primarily the Early National Signing Day, the coming and going of staff members, and Florida's loss to UCF in the Gasparilla Bowl.
However, the Napier era is officially underway and he is making a public appearance at the O'Dome tonight:
Gator Nation, join @coach_bnapier in the O'Dome tomorrow night 👀 @GatorsMBK hosts Alabama in their SEC opener 🐊
— Florida Gators (@FloridaGators) January 4, 2022
🗓Wednesday Jan. 5th
🕛 7 PM
🎟: https://t.co/XQNLq7ASxJ#GoGators pic.twitter.com/s4OmgLYjrq
QUICK READS
-- Gators get an A for hire of Napier writes CBSSports.com columnist Dennis Dodd in his coaching hire grades.
-- A post-Rose Bowl read on the Utes from Josh Newman of the Salt Lake City Tribune for anyone interested on more about the Gators' first opponent under Napier.
-- UF President Kent Fuchs announces a transition from leading the university to becoming a professor via a UF News press release.
-- Former Gators head coach Steve Spurrier discusses keys to Florida's rematch win over FSU for 1996 national title with Georgia-Alabama rematch looming for this year's title, via The Sporting News.
TOPICAL TWEETS
Quarterback Jack Miller, a transfer from Ohio State, has arrived at UF and part of the program ...
Welcome home @jackjamesmiller 🐊#ChosenFew22 #GoGators pic.twitter.com/u4bjiZAazt
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) January 5, 2022
Fifth-year senior running back Malik Davis says goodbye as he pursues a career in the NFL ...
All Glory to the most high 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/5ibJwx6p7q
— Malik Davis (@Campaign_Lik) January 5, 2022
Best of luck to former Gators strength & conditioning director Nick Savage if this unofficial report becomes official ...
Ole Miss is expected to hire ex-Florida head strength coach Nick Savage as its new head strength coach, sources tell @on3sports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 4, 2022
Was Florida's strength coach under Dan Mullen. Previously worked in Mississippi as the strength coach at Mississippi State.https://t.co/k5bN5NhJoE https://t.co/PhgasJkQzV
