Countdown to Kickoff 2025

#59 Cal Dixon OL (1988-91)
Dixon, from Merritt Island High, was a backup lineman as a true freshman in 1988 (seeing time at center, guard and tackle), then started
the next three seasons at center. He was a first-team All-SEC selection in ’90 and ’91. He also was a four-time SEC academic honor roll pick.
He is one of our Jacobs winners and the only Gator to win a Jacobs and a Fergie. The Fergie Ferguson Award goes to the Gator senior who
displays great leadership and character. That he was the starting center on teams that won the 1990 (according to all sane people) and
1991 SEC championships says a lot. Other notables: LB Mark Korff, LB Mike Nattiel, C Wyley Ritch, OL Butch Condon..

 

Correct, he passed in 1998 at 35.
Kick a Mercedes in his honor.

Mark Curtis Korff (1963-1998) - Find a Grave...

 

#58 Johnny Rutledge LB (1995-98)
He starred at Belle Glade Glades Central, then became a three-year starter for Florida. He was a first-team All-SEC pick as a senior in 1998 after getting a second-team nod in ’97. He was part of one of the best linebacking trios in UF history in 1998, lining up with Jevon Kearse and Mike Peterson on either side of him. Rutledge finished his career with 307 tackles and 37.5 tackles for loss.
Other notables: LB Fred Abbott, DT Dominique Easley, DE Mike Kerr, LB Ron Moten.

 

#57 Kevin Carter DE (1991-94)
Carter was a stud linebacker at Tallahassee Lincoln, but played end at UF. He was a three-year starter and is sixth in sacks (21.8) and 11th in tackles for loss (42.3) in school history. He was an All-American as a senior in 1994 and was the first defensive player selected in the 1995 NFL Draft (sixth overall). Other notables: OL Carl Johnson, LB David Poff, DE Jeremy Mincey, DE Bobby McCray, LB Jerry Odom.

 

#56 Maurkice Pouncey C (2007-09)
Pouncey and his twin, Mike (55), were part of a seven-player contingent from Lakeland High that signed with Florida in the 2007 recruiting cycle. He started at guard as a freshman (he was
the first true freshman to start a season-opener at guard in school history), then moved to center in his final two years on campus. Pouncey won the Rimington Award as the nation’s best center in 2009, when he was a consensus All-American. He left school after his junior season and was a first-round pick in the 2010 draft. Other notables: All-American (1987) OLB Clifford Charlton, DT Tim Newton, DE Cameron Davis, LB Daryl Owens, OL Tony Rowell.

 

#55 Ralph Ortega LB (1972-74)
Ortega is considered one of the all-time great defensive players in UF history. He was a two-time All-SEC selection and a first team All-American in his senior season.
He was a three-year starter who had 357 tackles, 12 forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries and five interceptions in his career.



#55 Scot Brantley LB (1976-79)
He was the national high school defensive player of the year in 1975 at Ocala Forest and was an immediate starter at UF, earning SEC freshman of the year plaudits in 1976. He was a first-team All-SEC selection in 1977 and ’78. He is second in school history with 467 tackles even though he missed the final nine games of his senior season after suffering a head injury. Only two Gators ever had their numbers retired -- Steve Spurrier and Brantley (the numbers were later unretired by Spurrier). Brantley is a true Florida legend. Other notables: C Mike Pouncey, LB Channing Crowder, DE Willie Cohens, OL Jimmy Ray Stephens, OL Richard Kensler.