The University of Florida starts spring classes on Monday and seven new Gator football players will take part in the spring semester giving them a 6 month head start on the rest of the Class of 2014 enrollees. CB Duke Dawson, QB Will Grier, TE DeAndre Goolsby, OL Nolan Kelleher, DL Taven Bryan, OL Kavaris Harkless and JUCO transfer Drew Sarvary will enroll at Florida and start working out with Jeff Dillman as well as begin to take classes.
This is good news for the Florida coaches who desperately looking to turn things around from the 2013 football season.
These seven football players will have the opportunity to adjust to college life as well as get in the weight room with strength coach Jeff Dillman and ending it with participating in spring practices in March.
One of the biggest pieces of Florida’s class is quarterback Will Grier (6-2, 186, Davidson, NC Day) who will be among the seven early enrollees.
With the departures of Max Staver and Tyler Murphy from the team, Grier will have the opportunity to earn the backup role to returning starter, Jeff Driskel. This spring will be a huge step forward for Grier to earn that job as he learns the playbook and gets into Dillman’s strength program.
Maybe Florida’s biggest weakness last year was at the tight end position. The Gators will welcome tight end Deandre Goolsby (6-4, 225, Derby, KS High) to campus this week as well.
Goolsby isn’t a world beater as a blocker but the Kansas prep star has good hands and should see plenty of time as a true freshman as a pass catching tight end.
Rivaling tight end for the weakest position last season was the offensive line. Help is on the way as the Gators welcome three newcomers to campus this week.
Offensive linemen Drew Sarvary (6-7, 310, Tyler, TX JC), Karvaris Harkless (6-5, 269, Jacksonville, FL Trinity) and Nolan Kelleher (6-6, 285, Mt. Pleasant, SC Wando) will all enroll this week to participate in spring practice with the hopes of seeing early playing time next year.
Two defensive prospects finish up the seven enrollees as defensive end Taven Bryan (6-5, 250, Casper, WY Natrona County) and cornerback Duke Dawson (5-11, 195, Cross City, FL Dixie County) round out the early entries players.
Bryan comes to Florida as a defensive end prospect but the Wyoming native has played both defensive end and offensive tackle and the Gators coaching staff has told Bryan that his position will work itself out over the coming months.
Dawson is one Florida’s longest commits in the Class of 2014 and he comes to Gainesville with the expectations to play as a true freshman either at the nickel back position or on special teams.
The Gators were thinking that an additional prospect would gain early entry status in defensive end Gerald Willis (6-4, 247, New Orleans, LA Edna Karr) but due to academics Willis have to enroll in the summer time.