Countdown to Kickoff 2025

#66 Robin Fisher NG (1978-81)
At barely over 200 pounds Fisher was too small to play nose tackle in the rugged SEC. But don’t tell him (or his opponents) that. He overcame his lack of size with great quickness and effort and was one of Florida's best defensive players in the 1980s. Fisher, from Satellite Beach, started for most of his career from 1978-81 and used his quickness and surprising strength (he could bench 505 pounds) to amass 21 sacks (tied for eighth in school history) and 41 tackles for loss (13th). He also is eighth in school history in tackles with 348. Other notables: DT Keith Williams, DT Scott Hutchinson, NG David Hitchcock, DL Larry Beckman.

 

#65 Jawaan Taylor OT (2016-18)
Taylor was an unheralded recruit from Cocoa High who basically was a starter at right tackle from the moment he stepped on campus. Originally committed to Miami, he switched his commitment to Florida. He was a freshman All-America selection in 2017. He turned pro after his junior season and was a second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.



#65 Jimmy Ray Stephens DE, C, LB, TE (1972-76)
In 1973, Stephens was second-team All-SEC at center. He was again second-team All-SEC three seasons later at tight end. In the 1990s, Stephens joined Florida's staff as an offensive line assistant and helped us win our first Natty. Other notables: OL Dan Plonk, OL Gary Lenard, DL Robbie Rebol.

 

Of course, his jersey was #49 so look for him there.

 

#64 Walter Mayberry QB (1934-37)
Walter “Tiger” Mayberry was a quarterback and a halfback for the University of Florida football team. He became the Gators’ first ever All-SEC player in 1937.
Walter was also widely recognized for his punting ability.
Mayberry was the 8th pick in the first round of the 1937 NFL draft. During World War II, he became a Marine fighter pilot. His plane was shot down and he was captured.
Mayberry died in a Japanese POW camp in 1943 during an Allied air raid on Rabaul. He was one of seven former Gator football players who lost their lives in the war.



#64 Burton Lawless OL (1972-74)
Lawless was a high school tight end at Punta Gorda Charlotte who was converted to guard during his freshman season. He became a three-year starter at guard. He earned All-American honors as a senior in 1974, when the Gators averaged 271.8 rushing yards per game. UF asked its guards to pull a lot, and Lawless’ athleticism (he also starred in basketball in high
school) served him well.

 

#63 Mike Williams OT (1973-75)
Williams was one of the best players in the state as a high school senior at Orlando Jones in 1971 and ended up being a three-year starter for the Gators. UF ran the Wishbone in those years, and Williams helped pave the way for three of the most prolific rushing attacks in school history. He was a first-team All-SEC pick and an honorable mention All-American as a senior in 1975. Other notables: DL Jack Thomson, OL Jim Tartt, OL Tracy Daniels.

 

#62 Mac Steen OL (1967-69)
In 1969, the “Super Sophs” were guided by a strong senior class that included Steen, who was a steading influence on the offensive line, and one of the reasons Reaves-to-Alvarez became such a big hit that season. Steen, from Melbourne High, started for three seasons with the Gators; he played guard in 1967 and ’68, then moved to tackle as a senior. He was a team captain as a senior, when he was a first-team All-SEC pick. He also was an academic All-American, and became an orthodontist. Coach Ray Graves rated Steen as the Gators best right tackle of the 1960's. Other notables: DE Alonzo Mitz, OG Corey Yarbrough, OT Dean Golden.

 

#61 DT Ellis Johnson (1991-94)
He was a do-everything player at Wildwood High, then became a three-year starter for the Gators. Johnson was stout against the run and had pass-rush skills as well.
He was MVP of the 1994 SEC championship Game victory against Alabama. Johnson is 14th in school history with 37 tackles for loss, and was a first-round pick in the 1995 draft.



#61 DT Gerard Warren (1998-2000)
‘Big Money’ was BIG and damn disruptive up front for the Florida defense in his time. He finished off his career with 159 tackles and 30 tackles-for-loss.
But if they counted hurt pride among offensive linemen he faced, he might be higher up on this list. He just absolutely overwhelmed the opposition.
Other notables: OT Mo Mitchell, D Ron Coleman, OG Gerald Loper.

 

#60 Mark White T/G (1988-91)
He blocked for Emmitt Smith in high school at Pensacola Escambia, then blocked for him at UF. White redshirted as a true freshman in 1987, was a backup guard in ’88, then started for the next three seasons — at guard in ’89 and at tackle in his final two seasons. He was a second-team All-SEC pick as a senior left tackle. His versatility is notable: He started at guard in a run-heavy offense (an extremely run-heavy offense) in ’89, then was a solid tackle in Spurrier’s offense in 1990 and ’91.


#60 Billy Hinson OL (1982-84)
Hinson signed with the Gators to play defensive tackle, but this physical athlete moved to offensive guard and became a key cog in UF’s “Great Wall” offensive line of 1984.


#60 Mike Williams OL (1972-75)
Williams was one of the best players in the state as a high school senior at Orlando Jones in 1971 and ended up being a three-year starter for the Gators. UF ran the Wishbone in those years, and Williams helped pave the way for three of the most prolific rushing attacks in school history. He was a first-team All-SEC pick and an honorable mention All-American as a senior in 1975. Other notables: DT Henry McMillian, DT John Lacer.