Gators get commit from JUCO

Over a week and a half ago, we highlighted a previously unknown prospect that surfaced on the radar of the Florida Gators – that was defensive tackle Troy Epps (6-1, 275) of Coffeyville (KS) Community College. Recently, Troy received an offer from the Gators and pulled the trigger. Gator Co-Defensive Coordinator Greg Mattison was in attendance at his game Saturday when Epps showed off big time and not long after Epps was on the phone with Gator Head Coach Urban Meyer and pledging his commitment.

Saturday was yet another big game for Epps and it was enough for Coach Mattison to extend an official scholarship offer.

“I had four sacks, a fumble recovery, seven tackles and two tackles for loss,” Epps said about his game on Saturday. “I just try to stay on the hustle. I want to be the second man if I am not the first man.”

He made it official shortly after that game.

“I committed to Florida,” he said. “I talked to Coach Meyer and everything and made a really good decision for myself. Coach Meyer was really excited and said he was really looking forward to it.

“I liked (Florida) ever since I was young. They are an excellent football team. They are more of a four man front and I like that. They rotate the defense so it will give me time to rest and I will have a backup in case I get hurt or something like that.”

Epps has three years to play two after he finishes his AA degree in December.  He can enroll at Florida and has already satisfied the SEC math credit that has caused the Gators to miss on junior college recruits in the past. He chose Florida over West Virginia and Arkansas.

West Virginia is an up and coming team, they are pretty good,” he said. “Arkansas is a great team too, so either was a great situation.

Epps is having an all-American year this year and should help bolster a defensive line in dire need of help in the middle.  He says Gator fans should get ready to see someone play hard when he is on the field.

“I am focused, I’m addicted to winning, and I’m a team player,” he concluded.