Over the next 25 days, Gator Country will preview the players that make up the 2013 Florida Gators football team as we inch closer and closer to the season.
Each day we will count down using the player whose jersey number corresponds with how many days there are left until Florida kicks off against Toledo in the Swamp on August 31.
Today we take a look at redshirt junior Gideon Ajagbe.
History
Ajagbe was a 3-star linebacker from Ransom Everglades high school in Miami, Florida who chose Florida over offers from Florida State, Boston College, North Carolina, USF and UCF.
Ajagbe tore his rotator cuff his first season on campus and took a redshirt. The next season, Ajagbe played in four games – all on special teams – but didn’t record any stats. Ajagbe didn’t see any game action in 2012 after suffering an MCL injury.
He was moved to fullback this past spring and seems to have found a home on offense. At 6’3” 243 pounds, Ajagbe has tremendous size for the position and as a former defensive player, he won’t shy away from contact, something that makes playing fullback second nature to him.
Player Evaluation
Strengths
Ajagbe took on the position change with an open mind and a full head of steam. He completely jumped into and committed himself to his new role and he has finally found his niche on the team. Ajagbe is a very tough, physical player who can fill in for Hunter Joyer when he needs a break.
Weaknesses
Ajagbe will need to learn the finer points of the position like which gap to fill, blocking responsibilities and the pre-snap shifts and motions that Brent Pease uses. If you flip back on film from 2012, you can regularly see Hunter Joyer and Jordan Reed motioning and shifting before the snap and that is something Ajagbe will need to pick up before he gets more playing time.
What to Expect
The starting fullback job is all Hunter Joyer’s. However, Will Muschamp has said that Joyer could be used as a ball carrier in two-back sets and Ajagbe could be the guy lead blocking for Joyer in those situations. Ajagbe should also continue his role on special teams.