With Sharrif Floyd heading to the NFL, the Florida Gators need defensive linemen on campus in a big way and they will have one new player come spring practice.
Dade City (Fla.) Pasco defensive end Joey Ivie is set to enroll in Florida this week to begin classes and start the weight training program with Jeff Dillman.
The exact day that Ivie will enroll is unclear, but it will either be Wednesday or Thursday when he starts classes.
“I am so ready to be at Florida,” Ivie said. “I am ready for the hard work and the dedication. I am ready to do and be a part of big things at Florida with my teammates.”
The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Ivie has some goals for this spring in the weight room with Dillman and how much weight he wants to gain.
“I’m going to be working hard in the weight room this spring,” Ivie said. “I want to put on a lot of muscle and learn new techniques and learn the playbook outside of the weight room. I hope to add 10-20 pounds of muscle so I can compete right away when I get on the field this spring. I have the opportunity. I just have to take advantage of it.”
Ivie isn’t sure what number he will wear at Florida, but he will be rooming with linebacker Matt Rolin this spring.
During his senior year, Ivie had 89 tackles including 12 sacks and three forced fumbles one in which he recovered.