ShareTE Michael McFarland transfers from Florida
Just days after the Florida Gators announced redshirt freshman Chris Martin transferred from the program, UF announced he will be joined by redshirt freshman tight end Michael McFarland.
Transfers have become quite common for the Gators since new head coach Will Muschamp’s arrival, as McFarland marks the sixth player to leave the program since the new head coach took over.
“Michael and I have come to the conclusion that it is in his best interest to transfer from the University of Florida,” Muschamp said in a press release. “We wish him the best as he continues his career somewhere else.”
In addition to McFarland, wide receivers Javares McRoy and Chris Dunkley transferred, running back Mike Blakely transferred and Martin transferred. Cornerback Janoris Jenkins left the team following his second citation for marijuana.
McRoy went to Texas Tech, Dunkley went to South Florida, Blakely went to Auburn and Jenkins went to North Alabama.
Martin and McFarland have not yet said where they will transfer.
McFarland is a 6-foot-6, 235-pound redshirt freshman who dressed for three games in 2010 but did not play. He was held out of Florida’s spring game in April with an ankle injury.
He was initially asked by Florida to grayshirt in 2010, but the Gators changed their mind and awarded him a scholarship right away.
He was expected to compete for limited playing time at the second tight end position, known as the “F-12” position in new offensive coordinator Charlie Weis’ system.
His departure leaves Florida shallow on the depth chart at tight end, with only redshirt sophomore Jordan Reed and true freshman A.C. Leonard currently at the position.
Sophomore Gerald Christian split time between tight end, fullback and linebacker during spring football practice, but will likely play almost exclusively on offense following McFarland’s transfer.
About the author
Thomas Goldkamp
Thomas Goldkamp is the Gator Country beat reporter for football and basketball. He graduated from the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications and has been covering the Florida Gators since late 2009. He previously worked as a freelancer on the Rivals network, as well as at the Palm Beach Post. You can find his latest stories here.
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Sheesh. I’m not speechless very often...hopefully we’ll have enough guys to field a team. I guess the guys left will have great attitudes!
This is almost historic. I have been following Florida football since 1977, and I don’t think we’ve have this many transfers in two years in that time period let alone one.
We have been through several coaching changes in that time frame also. Muschamp must be really “my way or the highway.”
You don’t achieve discipline from winning but you sure achieve winning from discipline.
Perhaps our program equated one with the other in the past and now its time to really get it right.
Discipline is not merely staying out of trouble, but it is also realizing that if you are given an opportunity to shine and someone shines more than you, you have to accept that you are going to play a secondary role or not be a part of the program.
I expect big things from Reed and Leonard. McFarland must not have wanted to be listed as third? I know we have a stud coming in. At this point, I’m just trying to make sense of all these transfers. The coaching staff’s probably being very honest with these guys. All of the transfers seem to be in about the same position with regards to their rank and the position they play.
It’s no coincidence that there aren’t any starters transferring.
hit the road jack and don’t come back no more no more hit the road jack and don’t come back no more!
I hope Coach Muschamp knows what he is doing, but I also see this as a great opportunity to open up sholarships to players that really want the privilege of playing for the FLORIDA GATORS. If these players a afraid of competion, it will not be any different any where else.
LOL. This one way for Muschamp to switch out Meyer’s recruits for his own.