Ten Florida Gator signees were invited to participate in the Under Armour All-America game on January 3rd, 2023. Defensive back Dijon Johnson and wide receiver Eugene Wilson didn’t make the trip to Orlando, so Florida had eight participants, the 2nd most of any college football team.
Team Phantom won the game 14-7. The contest consisted of just two offensive touchdowns as Zachariah Branch returned a punt 84 yards for a touchdown. This game was expected to be low scoring as the offensive lines struggled for both teams all week.
GAME MVP KELBY COLLINS
The best player on the field was Gators’ signee Kelby Collins. He was awarded MVP for Team Speed, totaling two sacks and a pass break up in a disruptive performance. Collins proved that he is a candidate for early playing time in 2023.
WILL NORMAN
Norman had a great week in Orlando. He flashed in today’s game, ripping through the line and pressuring the QB. He totaled one solo tackle and a pass break up.
JADEN RASHADA
The Florida Gators QB put together a solid week of practice but had a quiet game this evening. Team Speed’s offensive line and wide receivers weren’t doing Rashada any favors. He finished the game completing 4 of 8 passes for 25 yards.
I wouldn’t put too much stock in any quarterback’s performance tonight, as 3 of the 4 QB’s didn’t reach 50 yards passing. Every QB was running for their life.
Rashada did a good job of escaping the pocket and keeping his eyes downfield. Rashada has a nice touch on his ball and his arm strength shouldn’t be slept on either.
RODERICK KEARNEY
Kearney started at RG for Team Phantom. Kearney showed flashes of greatness and put together a really good series on Team Phantom’s 2nd drive of the game. He played a big role on Cedric Baxter’s TD run, sealing the edge and allowing Baxter to get outside and score.
Kearney is a mean blocker and isn’t afraid to drive his opponent downfield.
KNIJEAH HARRIS
Harris started at center for Team Speed and struggled snapping the ball early on. Florida’s staff has flirted with the idea of starting Harris at center when he arrives in Gainesville, but he’ll need to improve on his ability to snap the football before he sees the field at that position.
JORDAN CASTELL, JA’KEEM JACKSON, SHARIF DENSON
It was a quiet game for the Gators’ defensive back trio, simply because there wasn’t much action downfield in this one. These three put together an impressive week in Orlando.