Over the next 55 days, Gator Country will preview the players that make up the 2013 Florida Gators football team as we inch closer and closer to the season.
Each day we will count down using the player whose jersey number corresponds with how many days there are left until Florida kicks off against Toledo in the Swamp on August, 31.
Today we take a look at JUCO transfer Darious Cummings.
History
Cummings committed to, signed and played two seasons at Florida State before transferring to East Mississippi Community College. He spent a year at the community college level before committing to Florida in November. He chose the Gators over Ole Miss, a school he was previously committed to.
A couple of factors make Cummings different than other members of the 2013 recruiting class. First, he has D1 game experience from playing at Florida State. Cummings also enrolled mid-year at Florida and was able to participate in spring practice for the Gators, giving him a head start on the rest of the 2013 recruiting class.
Player Evaluation
Strengths
At 6’3”, 310-pounds Cummings has great size to play defensive tackle and can even play nose tackle when needed to.
Cummings excels against the run where his is a big space eater. Cummings can take on double teams and drive his man off of the line of scrimmage with ease.
Cummings plays with a high motor for a big man. He is a relentless pursuer of the ball carrier and uses his hands well. Cummings can also be a disruptive force from the interior. He uses his size and brute force to drive offensive linemen back into the pocket.
Weaknesses
Cummings was a little small coming out of high school but has added the necessary size to play on the interior since he’s been in college. Unfortunately, he lost some of his initial burst and speed off of the line when he added on the pounds.
He can sometimes get too high and needs to work on staying low and playing with leverage on every snap.
What to Expect
Will Muschamp has shown a desire to bring in JUCO players. For one, they come in with experience and are normally more ready to step in and play right away. That is exactly the case with Cummings. Expect Cummings to be a regular contributor on the defensive line. While he isn’t expected to start right away, Cummings will fit right into the rotation from day one. Cummings will be an impact player for the Gators in 2013.