Luke Del Rio
The redshirt sophomore started the Orange and Blue Debut with the first team offense and was sharp early on. Del Rio connected on his first four passes and six of seven in the first half. Del Rio connected with C.J. Worton for a 46-yard pass and catch and DeAndre Goolsby for a 14-yard score on the first drive of the game.
Del Rio, who worked exclusively with the first team on Friday night, finished the game 10-11, for 176 yards and 2 touchdowns. He showed what we have seen most of the spring: that this quarterback race is his to lose and he holds a healthy lead.
Eddy Pineiro
The roar that betook Ben Hill Griffin Stadium was deafening. It wasn’t a 60-yard bomb, a kickoff returned for a touchdown or even an interception. It was a PAT by Eddy Pineiro that made the fans lose their minds.
That’s the state of Florida football after years of maddening inconsistency at kicker. When Pineiro sent a PAT into the second deck of the Swamp the crowd went wild. The biggest cheer of the day, however, came after Pineiro’s 52-yard field goal on the Orange team’s first drive of the game. You would have though Florida had just clinched the SEC East or won a National Championship.
Pineiro finished the day 3-5, hitting from 52, 46 and 56, while missing wide right from 52 and 46.
It’s just spring, but Pineiro has the fan base excited.
Kylan Johnson
The safety turned linebacker got a chance to play with the first string defense on Saturday with Alex Anzalone sidelined, still nursing a shoulder injury. Johnson was injured for most of his redshirt freshman season, and got banged up briefly this spring but made the most of his opportunity Friday night, leading the blue team with eight tackles (6 solo) and an interception. Florida is thin at linebacker with Davis and Anzalone, so Johnson’s play this spring could really get him in the mix this season.
Jordan Sherit
Sherit gave Florida’s second team tackles fits. The redshirt junior totaled six tackles (5 solo) and would have had several sacks in a real game scenario. Florida is looking for someone to fit in at the RUSH linebacker spot left vacant by Alex McCalister. Sherit, when healthy, was able to put together a nice spring. He’s ahead of Justus Reed and should be the starting RUSH linebacker for the Gators when they open up in the fall. If he can replace McCalister’s 6.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for a loss from a year ago, that’s an added bonus.
Duke Dawson
After a tough start to his career — bouncing between safety, corner and nickel — Dawson finally has a place to call home. Dawson has locked down the starting nickel position with his play this spring. Many thought Chauncey Gardner could contend for a starting spot there but was moved to safety immediately.
Dawson had a great game on Friday with two interceptions, one that he returned for a touchdown. Dawson give Florida three talented cornerbacks, alongside Jalen Tabor and Quincy Wilson.