The Florida Gators finished the 2022 season holding a 6-7 record after losing their bowl game to Oregon State on December 17th.
Gator Country provides our superlative and awards roundtable as we reflect on Billy Napier’s first season as head coach.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
NM: Anthony Richardson
I understand this pick is going to ruffle some feathers, but it’s a logical selection. Richardson combined for 3,203 yards and 26 touchdowns in the 2022 season. In the only game Florida played without Richardson, they lost by 27 and only mustered three points.
One name I considered was Ventrell Miller, but I didn’t feel right giving anyone on the Gators’ defense MVP as they ranked 88th in the FBS.
The Gators’ offense, led by Anthony Richardson, ranked 33rd in total offense. Without Richardson, Florida’s offense doesn’t rank in the top half of the country.
The other name I considered was O’Cyrus Torrence, the best player on the Gators in 2022. However, there’s a difference between the best player and the most valuable. The only regular season game Torrence didn’t play in (LSU), Florida rushed for 210 yards, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. Richardson finished that game with 109 rushing yards and a TD. Florida scored 35 points in this contest.
Florida’s running game was non-existent in the bowl game without the threat of Richardson’s rushing ability.
GH: O’Cyrus Torrence
I’m giving the MVP award to O’Cyrus Torrence, who is a player every team needs in the trenches. Torrence was the highest graded offensive lineman this season after not giving up a single sack or quarterback hit his entire career.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
NM: Montrell Johnson
Montrell Johnson totaled 899 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Florida Gators in 2022. Johnson played a pivotal role in this offense, especially in the red zone.
GH: Ricky Pearsall
Ricky Pearsall was the pulse of an almost non-existent passing game this year for the Florida Gators. There were many times this season where Ricky Pearsall proved to the entire country that he can be one of the best receivers in the country next season if he decides to stay in Gainesville and not declare for the NFL draft.
Honorable mention: Montrell Johnson is another player who I think deserves this award. You could argue that he had more of an impact than Trevor Etienne did for the running game this season finishing with 10 touchdowns on 841 yards.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
NM: Ventrell Miller
Miller appeared in 11 games this season, totaling 74 tackles (34 solo), two pass deflections, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and 8.5 tackles for loss. Miller was a leader on and off the football field.
GH: Ventrell Miller
I was going to give the MVP award to Ventrell Miller, but unfortunately there weren’t many players to choose from here. Miller played an enormous role when it came to being a leader on not just the defense, but the entire team. He played his heart out every snap while battling through nagging injuries and gave everything he had for this football team. Ventrell Miller kept this defense together and carried them through hard-fought games all season.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
NM: Trevor Etienne
This one has to go to Trevor Etienne. From early on and fall camp it was clear that Etienne was ready for SEC competition. He finished his freshman campaign with 118 carries, 719 yards, and six touchdowns in 13 games played. Johnson and Etienne proved to be one of the best running back duos in college football.
GH: Trevor Etienne
My rookie of the year award goes to freshman running back Trevor Etienne. In my opinion, Etienne was the most polished freshman on the team who has the potential to be an all-time great here at the University of Florida. Etienne finished with 719 yards and six touchdowns this season.
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
NM: Antwuan Powell-Ryland
Antwuan Powell-Ryland broke on to the scene after Brenton Cox was dismissed a little over halfway through the regular season. Powell-Ryland made five starts and appeared in all 13 games. He totaled 29 tackles (11 solo) three sacks, six tackles for loss, one pass deflection, and three forced fumbles. His pressure grade ranked 3rd on the Gators’ defense, according to PFF.
Powell-Ryland finished with a higher defensive grade than Brenton Cox.
In a season that looked as if Powell-Ryland would have to compete for a reserved role, the edge rusher found himself making a significant impact on Florida’s defense.
GH: Amari Burney
I think Amari Burney is someone whose freshman tape would look completely different from his senior tape. Although it wasn’t perfect, Burney improved tremendously in the passing game this season and was much more physical in the secondary. In my opinion, Burney had much more of an impact late in his career.
COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR
NM: Jaydon Hill
Jaydon Hill’s two interceptions and a touchdown against Missouri lands him the comeback player of the year award. His return to the football field after suffering a season ending injury in 2021’s fall camp was as meaningful as it can get. Hill logged 435 snaps this season.
GH: Jaydon Hill
Jaydon Hill got this award the second he stepped back on the football field and played a full game in the orange and blue. After countless injuries and blows to the knee, Hill had a comeback story for the ages after snagging two interceptions in only his second game since returning from injury.
UNIT OF THE YEAR
NM: Offensive line
The best unit on the field for the Florida Gators was the offensive line. The unit led by O’Cyrus Torrence, was proficient in the run and pass block all season long. Florida has some work to do in the offseason to replace Ethan White, O’Cyrus Torrence, Michael Tarquin, and Richard Gouraige.
Honorable mention: The running back group was a close second, but they don’t find as much success without wide gaps to run through and an athletic QB keeping the edge honest.
GH: Offensive line
Florida’s offensive line was the unit of the year in my opinion. You could argue that the running backs deserve this award after an amazing season on the ground, but none of that happens without a much-improved offensive line. After losing players to injuries all season, this unit still found a way to succeed and not skip a beat. I don’t think any other unit on this team compares to the impact the offensive line had this season.