Gators Host Football Banquet, Present Awards From 2023 Season

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Florida Football program hosted its yearly football banquet Sunday night and recognized several players for their efforts and accomplishments during the 2023 football season.

Iron Man Award
Presented to the player, or players, who have shown the most dedication to the individual and team goals of the year-round strength and conditioning program.

 Jaden Robinson

Jack Pyburn

Teradja Mitchell

Tony Livingston

Jalen Kimber

T.J. Searcy

Damieon George Jr.

Kahleil Jackson

 Commitment to Academic Excellence Award
Maintaining the greatest commitment and achievement in their academic endeavors

Graham Mertz

Jake Slaughter

Taylor Spierto

Zak Sedaros

Anthony Rubio

Connor Homa

 Outstanding Senior Scholar

Kingsley Eguakun

Ricky Pearsall

 The 12th Man Award

Presented to the staff member who plays a critical role off the field.

 Kyle Kazakevicius

 President’s Award
Presented to a player who has shown perseverance in making outstanding contributions to the team’s success.

 Jason Marshall Jr.

Tyreak Sapp

Scooby Williams

Kamryn Waites

 Florida Gator Newcomer Award

The most-outstanding newcomers (Freshman or Transfer)

 Eugene Wilson III

Treyaun Webb

Cam Jackson

Sharif Denson

Kamran James

Aidan Mizell

Ja’Keem Jackson

Kelby Collins

Jordan Castell

Andy Jean

Knijeah Harris

Bryce Thornton

 The Unsung Hero Award
Presented to the player, or players, who have made significant contributions to the success of the team and received the least amount of recognition for it.

 Ja’Markis Weston

Dijon Johnson

Brayden Slade

Hayden Hansen

Cam Carroll

Aaron Gates

Rocco Underwood

Quincy Ivory


Outstanding Defensive Performer
Presented to the defensive players who have accumulated the greatest production point totals for the regular season, as graded by the coaching staff.

 Princely Umanmielen

Up-Front Award
Presented to the most dominant offensive and defensive players on the line of scrimmage.


Offense

Austin Barber

Richie Leonard IV

Defense

Cam Jackson

Caleb Banks


Defensive Achievement Award

Presented to the player, or players, who played a critical role in the effectiveness of the defense this season.

 Jaydon Hill

Princely Umanmielen

Devin Moore

Tyreak Sapp

Offensive Achievement Award
Presented to the player, or players, who played a critical role in the effectiveness of the offense this season.

 Trevor Etienne

Montrell Johnson Jr.

Graham Mertz

Arlis Boardingham

Eugene Wilson III

 Special Teams Players of the Year Award

 Trey Smack

Jeremy Crawshaw

Ja’Markis Weston

Ja’Quavion Fraziars


Defensive Players of the Year Award

 Princely Umanmielen

Shemar James


Offensive Players of the Year Award

 Trevor Etienne

Graham Mertz

 GatorMade x Danny Wuerffel Man of the Year Award

 Derek Wingo

 James W. Kynes Award

Presented annually to the player who best exemplified the mental and physical toughness and “iron-man” determination Kynes exhibited as a Gator player and in his lifetime.

 Jake Slaughter

 Chris Patrick Courage Award

Award named after long-time Gators athletic trainer Chris Patrick. Presented to the player who, after injury, demonstrated outstanding commitment and dedication in the athletic training room in an effort to return to activity with the team.

 Kamryn Waites

 Fergie Ferguson Award
Presented annually to the senior football player who displays outstanding leadership, character and courage.

 Ricky Pearsall

Walk-Ons of the Year Award

Taylor Spierto

Brian Green Jr.

Jackson Wade

Justin Pelic

Scott Isacks

Carlson Joseph

Hayden Clem

Javion Toombs

Sebastian Vargas

Ahman Covington

Cahron Rackley

 Ray Graves Most Valuable Player Award
Presented annually to the team’s Most Valuable Player.

 Graham Mertz

Princely Umanmielen

 

Nick Marcinko
Nick is a recent graduate from the University of Florida with a degree in Telecommunications. He is passionate about all sports but specifically baseball and football. Nick interned at Inside the Gators and worked part time with Knights247 before joining the Gator Country family. Nick enjoys spending his free time golfing and at the beach.