Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Bryce Lovett is making noise in his second year with the Gators. After not appearing in a single game a year ago, the Rockledge, Florida native is pushing for a starting spot in 2024.
“I’m working as hard as I can to get there. I can’t explain how much I want it. I just got to keep grinding,” Lovett said on pushing for a starting spot. “That’s what I came here to do, is play. So the sooner I can get on the field the better.”
The former three-star recruit was the lowest ranked high school addition in Florida’s 2023 class, providing Lovett extra motivation to prove Coach Rob Sale right, who believed in him from the jump.
“That drives me already, just being underrated,” Lovett said. “I have like 15 offers. So compared to other dudes, not a lot of schools were interested in me. That makes me want to work even harder. Coach Sale reminds me every day he saw something in me. I wasn’t the highest-recruited player, and that just makes me want to work harder every day to prove him right.”
Lovett started to get a feel for the game late last season, but it all snapped into place when he returned from the offseason break.
“It’s definitely night and day since I got here last spring until now,” Lovett said on his improvements. “I’ve changed my body, fixed my technique and just trusted the process.”
“I think my biggest thing was probably my body comp(osition) and my confidence, just going out and playing football and trusting my ability,” Lovett added.
The 6’5, 319-pound offensive lineman dropped 16 pounds this offseason while putting on noticeable muscle, completely transforming his body ahead of spring camp.
“I just started eating better, making sure I lifted every day throughout the break – we lifted a lot as a team,” Lovett said. “I just started taking that really seriously and taking my health more seriously and eating better.”
Lovett believes his early collegiate struggles stemmed from a lack of confidence and technique.
“It definitely wasn’t where it needed to be,” Lovett said on his confidence entering college. “I think my technique coming out of high school wasn’t where it needed to be, and I think what made my confidence on a lower level.”
Lovett spent the entirety of year one on the scout team, which he feels benefited his game and played a critical role in his development.
“Tremendously,” Lovett said on how much playing on the scout team helped him. “I was going against Princely and Sapp every day. They pushed me to be the best I could. I think that really, really, really helped me toward the end of the season.”
This spring, Lovett played all five offensive line positions after primarily playing tackle in year one, displaying his versatility and maturity at just 18 years old.
“I’ve played all five this spring,” Lovett said. “I would say most comfortable, they’re all pretty comfortable, to be honest. I’ve been playing several different positions my whole life. Right now, I’ve been playing majority right guard and mixing in the rest, so I’d say that’s most comfortable right now.”
Lovett is expected to compete for a starting spot at right guard.