Gator legend and two-time National Champion Brandon Spikes recently made his way back to Gainesville to finish his degree and join the Gators’ football program as a student assistant.
“I’ve been very impressed with Brandon, you know, Vernell Brown reached out to him, really it’s been pretty recent, I think going back to June, Brandon came into town, he’s coming back to get his degree and he wanted to have a role, he wanted to contribute to this place,” Head Coach Billy Napier announced during fall camp.
A hard-hitting linebacker from 2006-2009, Spikes started 39 games for the Gators, totaling 307 tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 QB sacks, two forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and six interceptions, four of which were returned for touchdowns. Since 1996, he is one of only three linebackers in the nation to have four interceptions returned for touchdowns.
Spikes would go on to get selected by the New England Patriots with the 62nd overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. The North Carolina native played six years in the NFL with two teams.
“He really cares about the University of Florida and what this place did for him not only as a football player but as a man, as a student, that helped get is path in life, and he’s had legitimate success at the professional level, immediately he brings credibility, pedigree, production, and I respect Brandon, Brandon is very intelligent, he’s been around a lot of football, a lot of players, a lot of coaches, a lot of teams and he cares about this place and I think he’s really brought something, there’s a presence there,” Napier said on the addition of Spikes.
Napier wants Spikes to provide leadership for his young 2023 squad.
“I told him, I said, look, be vocal. He’s done a good job of mentoring players. He’s already connected with a number of guys. I think Spikes is going to make our team better,” Napier said. “It’s always good to get a guy who’s doing the right thing coming back to get his degree, that has experience and that can influence our young people in a positive way.”
One player Spikes has already connected with is sophomore edge Jack Pyburn.
“One of my earliest memories is actually in Jacksonville for the Brandon Spikes hit in 2008,” Pyburn said. “I was there, I was at that game and, you know, I saw that and, you know, for the next, like, five years, I’d play that every Saturday morning before my little league football game, trying to be like him.”
Pyburn grew up a Gators fan, so being able to see Brandon Spikes in the flesh was a surreal moment for him.
“It was just a moment of like, ‘Holy crap, that’s B. Spikes!’ And then just getting to know him makes it really cool. But it was just in general surreal,” Pyburn said. “When you get to know him, he’s just another guy. He’s got the right mentality and he’s done things the right way that have made him who he is.”
“B. Spikes loves me too because I bring the hit and I bring the energy,” Pyburn added. “So, he really likes me and I really appreciate everything he does and the fact that he’s here and helping out with the guys. It’s just really cool to have someone like that in the building that you respect and you know every day is going to be stable, the same person.”
Pyburn also benefited from former Gators’ defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd, who was with Napier’s staff last season in the same role Spikes is in this season.
“Coach Sharrif that was here last year. He’s with the Cowboys now, but he really helped me with a lot of pass rush moves and a lot of different things,” Pyburn said on Floyd. “So, that’s one of the best things about coming to a place like the University of Florida. When you do have players and people that come back, they’re probably a great. A great in the NFL or a great here, so it’s just special that we have that.”
Having Brandon Spikes back around the program and inside the locker room is not only great from a leadership standpoint, but it’s another set of eyes on a defense that has not lived up to the Gator standard in recent years.
“He’s definitely a part of the defense, he’s actually broke us down in huddles… he gives us a little pep talk”, Justus Boone said on Spikes’ involvement.
BRANDON SPIKES CAREER ACCOLADES
2009
· Butkus Award Finalist
· Bednarik Award Finalist
· Lombardi Award Semifinalist
· Lott Trophy Quarterfinalist
· Bronko Nagurski Watch List
· Walter Camp First-Team All-American
· Sporting News First-Team All-American
· AP First-Team All-American
· Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List
· CBSSports.com Second-Team All-America (LB)
· First-Team All-SEC LB (coaches)
· AP Second-Team All-SEC (LB)
· Sporting News All-SEC LB
· First-Team All-SEC LB (Phil Steele)
· Second-Team All-American LB (Phil Steele)
· Pro Football Weekly Honorable Mention All-America Team ILB
· SEC Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 10)
· 2009 Sports Illustrated Preseason All-America Team MLB
· Preseason First-Team All-American (Phil Steele)
· Playboy’s Preseason All-American Football Team selection
· Preseason First-Team All-American LB (Sporting News)
· Preseason First-Team All-American (ESPN)
· Preseason First-Team All-American (CBS Sports)
· Preseason All-SEC First-Team LB (coaches)
· Preseason All-SEC First-Team LB (media)
· Preseason All-SEC First-Team (Phil Steele)
2008
· Bronko Nagurski Trophy Finalist
· Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalist
· Lombardi Award Semifinalist
· Lott Trophy Quarterfinalist
· Butkus Award Watch List
· SEC Defensive Player of the Week (10/13 – LSU)
· 2008 Team Captain
· 2008 UF Football Leadership Committee
· Preseason First Team All-SEC (Football Time in Tennessee)
· Preseason All-SEC Team (Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook)
· Preseason Second Team All-American (Phil Steele)
· Preseason First Team All-SEC (Phil Steele)
· Preseason Second Team All-American (Athlon)
· Preseason First Team All-SEC (Athlon)
· Preseason First Team All-SEC (SEC Coaches)
· Preseason First Team All-SEC (Media)
2007
· First-team All-SEC selection by the league’s coaches and the AP
· Second-team All-SEC honoree by Rivals.com
· 2007 UF Football Leadership Committee