Countdown to Kickoff 2025

We continue our Countdown with a great tight end from the late 60's and early 70's.

#87 Jim Yancey, TE (1968-71)
Yancey, who played at Miami Palmetto, was a two-year starter for the Gators. He had 64 receptions for 842 yards and six TDs as a starter in 1970 and ’71. Yancey, whose nickname
was “Monk,” was a first-team All-SEC pick in 1970. Jim Yancey was an AP honorable mention All-American in 1970. He once had an 81-yard TD reception against Florida State.
Other notables: DE Mike Clark, DE Rodney Jones.

 

At #86 we honor a pair of Gator Greats from years gone by.

#86 Pat Patchen E (1957-60)
Known mostly for his defensive work, Patchen had his moments on offense, including catching the game-winning TD pass against Miami as a sophomore in 1958. He was a first-team All-SEC pick as a senior in 1960, when he also earned honorable mention All-America notice.

#86 Gary Rolle WR (1982-84)
He is yet another great UF success story, going from unknown walk-on to starting wide receiver and major contributor. Rolle, who grew up in Miami, went on to attend medical school at UF, then spent five years as a resident in New Orleans before landing a fellowship in sports medicine at UF in 1995. He says his experience as an athlete has helped tremendously in his career. Last we heard Gary was the team doctor for Florida A&M and a Florida Foundation board member in 2007.
Other notables: WR Riley Cooper, DE Darrell Lee, DE Vince Jones, TE Charlie Dean.

Gary Rolle & family in 2007

 

We continue our countdown with #85.

#85 David Galloway, DL (1978-81)
A big-time recruit from Brandon High, Galloway is one of the best defensive linemen in UF history despite injuries; he missed all of one season after a knee injury and half of another with a broken foot. He started at both end and tackle during his career, and was a first-team All-American as a senior in 1981. He finished his career with 20 sacks and 10 fumble recoveries, which is an unofficial school record. He was drafted in the second round by the St. Louis Cardinals. Other notables: WR Frankie Hammond, WR Paul Ewaldson.

 

#84 Lynn Matthews DE (1962-65)
Matthews, from Tampa Chamberlain, was a three-year starter. He went both ways as a sophomore in 1963, also playing tight end, but was strictly a defender in his final two seasons. He was a first-team All-American as a senior in 1965 and earned All-SEC plaudits as a junior and senior.

#84 Ben Troupe TE (2000-03) – One of the most athletic tight ends to wear a Gator jersey, Troupe led the team in receptions in 2003. A fan favorite, Troupe totaled 64 catches for 958 yards and 7 touchdowns over the course of his career. Other notables: WR Harrison Houston, TE Tate Casey, TE Kyle Pitts.

 

We continue our countdown with a local player who became a Gator Great.

#83 Dwayne Dixon WR (1981-83)
He grew up near Gainesville and went to Alachua Santa Fe. He was a two-year starter and led Florida in receiving both those seasons (1982 and ’83); he was a first-team All-SEC pick as a senior in ’83. Dixon later served as a wide receiver coach for the Gators under Spurrier. He was one of UF’s best and most productive receivers in the 1980s. He led the Gators in receptions his junior and senior years, combining to catch 87 passes for 1,185 yards and four touchdowns. Other notables: DE Harvey Thomas, TE Jack Coons, WR David Nelson.

 

We honor another pair of Gator Greats at #82.

#82 David Ghesquiere LB (1967-69)
While the Super Sophs on offense were grabbing most of the headlines in 1969, Ghesquiere was a senior and steadying (and playmaking) influence on defense, earning first team All-SEC honors.

#82 Aubrey Hill WR (1991-94)
Hill played in a Wishbone offense as Miami Carol City, but developed into a solid receiver in Spurrier’s attack. He started for only one season — as a senior in 1994, when he was a captain — but he was an important rotation receiver. He had 86 career receptions, and 18 went for TDs (a TD every 4.8 receptions); he averaged 16.7 yards per catch in his career. Other notables: TE Walter Odom, TE (Iron) Mike Mularkey, WR Louis Murphy.

 

#81 Dallas Baker WR (2002-06)
Baker, aka “The Touchdown-Maker,” was a star at New Smyrna Beach High who started as a junior and senior at UF. He was a first-team All-SEC pick as a senior in 2006, when he helped the Gators win the national title; he had 60 receptions for 920 yards and 10 TDs that season. He finished his career with 21 TD receptions, a figure that is ninth in school history. Baker left UF ranked near the top of all 3 career lists with 151 catches (5th), 2,236 yards (6th), and 21 touchdowns (9th). Know as an Orange and Blue Game star, Baker put it all together in his final season.


#81 Aaron Hernandez TE (2007-09)
Because of what he went on to eventually become, most won’t remember what this guy did on the field for the Gators. But he was exceptional, the first All-American tight end in school history and the first SEC tight end to win the John Mackey Award. He was a big-time playmaker who owns the school record for most catches by a tight end in a season (68) and for his career (111).
Other notables: TE Hank Foldberg, WR Antonio Callaway.

 

#80: Chris Faulkner TE (1979-82)
Faulkner was both athletic and extremely physical; he actually started two games at guard as a sophomore in 1980 before moving back to tight end. He battled numerous injuries and shared time at tight end with future NFL coach Mike Mularkey throughout his career. Faulkner was an All-SEC pick in 1980, when he had 24 receptions for 259 yards and three TDs. Other notables: WR Gene Peek, TE Shawn Nunn, FB/TE Ron Enclade.

 

#79 Mo Collins OT (1994-97)
Since there is 79 Days left to kickoff...we honor the late great OL Mo Collins (1994-97).
He was a three-year starter for the Gators (though he missed six games in one of those
seasons because he was declared ineligible by the school), mostly at right tackle.
He left early for the NFL draft and was a first-round pick in 1998. Other notables:
OL Wayne Griffith, OL David Forrester, OL Steve Rissler, OL Joe Wunderly.