GAINESVILLE, Fla. — While recruiting offensive lineman
O'Cyrus Torrence, then-University of Louisiana coach
Billy Napier knew the only for-certain way to reach the prospect was to arrange a call to Torrence when he was at his grandmother's on Thursday nights.
"He could only get service in one corner of the house," Napier recalled.
And there Torrence would be, always, awaiting the call.
Torrence, of course, moved out of his grandmother's and moved on to greater things. Specifically, greatness during his one season as an offensive guard after following Napier from UL to the University of Florida. Following the 2022 season, Torrence was honored as a consensus first-team All American — just the fifth such decorated lineman in UF history — and as such earned a brick alongside the program's 70 other first-team All Americans, with the unveiling of Torrence's marker held Wednesday afternoon at the walk of stars outside the southwest entrance of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
And there, fittingly, Torrence will be. Always.
"It means a lot to be a part of Gator history and a part of this great culture they have here and be a part of something that's bigger than myself," Torrence said moments after unveiling the 72nd such brick (including two repeat selections) sealed in the storied walkway. "Coming here was the right decision for me and my career. The after effects of being in the [Southeastern Conference] and this great organization and being here is surreal and it's all hitting home for me now. I'm happy to be a part of Gator history."
If only a brief part. Torrence (aka "Cybo" to his coaches and teammates) was a lightly recruited prospect out of Hammond, La., where he played both offensive and defensive line. Recruiting services pegged him as one of the state's top 75 players. Not exactly five-star stuff.
"His defensive film, you could see the athletic ability," Napier said. "To be quite honest, the offensive film wasn't very good."
That changed quickly. Torrence started three seasons for the Ragin' Cajuns on the offensive line, including their 12-1 Sun Belt Conference championship run of 2021, after which Napier left for Florida. Torrence was one of three UL players to follow. His impact was both instantaneous and dominant.
NFL teams clearly took notice, as Torrence opted after the season to make himself available for the 2023 NFL Draft, where after solidifying his status at the combine in Indianapolis last month he's rated — far and away — as the top interior lineman in the draft and expected to be a slam-dunk first-round selection when Commissioner Roger Goodell does his podium thing April 27 in Kansas City.
In fact, Torrence's brick is situated in the sidewalk just beneath tight Kyle Pitts (first-round 2021), two belonging to cornerback Vernon Hargreaves II (first-round 2014) and defensive lineman Shariff Floyd (first round 2013). Good company, but that goes without saying.
On Thursday, the 6-foot-5, 347-pounder will take the field with about a dozen or so teammates for UF's annual pro day, where (thanks in great part to quarterback
Anthony Richardson) all 32 NFL teams are expected to be represented, including a handful of head coaches, all of whom will looking to confirm the outstanding performance Torrence displayed in Indy. Torrence will let his 40-yard dash, bench, shuttle and other scores from there stand, but will take part in all the offensive line position work.
"I've just been trying to enjoy the process," said Torrence, who projects as a guard on the next level, but says he could be a plug-and-play at tackle or center, if needed. "It gets stressful with all the meetings and the interview process — it's a lot — but I just look at it like it's a blessing to be here. Not everyone can be here, but everybody wants to be here. So, for me, it's a situation, here and now, of accepting this and showing that all the hard work I've put in over the years has paid off."
At the bear minimum, it earned him a place in UF football immortality alongside his Gator Great brothers. Torrence had walked over the bricks before and even glanced down at some of the names, but never did so thinking he'd one day be among them.
Now there he is.
"I've never actually looked at them the way I'm looking at them now," he said. "To know I'm going to be here forever is a great feeling."
