Countdown to Kickoff 2025

#32 Eugene McCaslin RB/LB (1995-99)
Predominantly a blocking back, he played for UF’s first national championship team and was Florida’s second-leading rusher in 1998. As a senior, he moved to linebacker to help the team.
That year, McCaslin was on second the squad with 5.5 QB sacks.



#32 Reggie F. Nelson (2005-06)
We’re cheating a bit, as Nelson wore No. 32 for just one season, in 2005 after he transferred in from junior college (he switched to No. 1 in ’06, then turned pro and was a first-round pick). Nelson, from Melbourne Palm Bay, started four games in ’05, then was a consensus All-American in ’06, when he had 51 tackles, six interceptions, five pass breakups and two blocked kicks. In 2005, he had four sacks, which was second on the team. Other notables: LB Dustin Doe, RB Kedra Malone, DB Marquette Oliver, RB Andy Sumers, DB Ricky Mulberry, RB Alan Poe, RB Willie Green.

 

#31 Carlton Miles LB (1989-92)
Miles was one of the Gators’ most underrated and underappreciated talents of the Steve Spurrier era. He was co-captain with quarterback Shane Matthews in 1992 and he finished that season with 142 tackles, which is top-10 all time at UF. He also led the team in tackles during the 1991 season, when the Gators won their first official SEC title. As a senior, Miles was First-Team All-SEC.

#31 Jalen (Teez) Tabor (2014-16)
Tabor, who was a five-star recruit from Washington, D.C., was a freshman All-American as a true freshman in 2014, when he was a part-time starter. He was a fulltime starter in the next two seasons and was a first-team All-SEC selection in both seasons. He also earned second-team All-America mention as a junior in 2016; he turned pro after that season. He is third in school history with 37 pass breakups and had 18 breakups in 2015, second-most in a season in UF history. Other notables: RB James Richards, WR Andy Cheney, S Shawn Davis, RB Octavious Gould.

 

#30 James Jones RB (1979-82)
Jones was a big-time recruit from Pompano Beach Ely and started a handful of games at tight end as a true freshman in 1979. He moved to running back during spring practice before his sophomore season and led the Gators in rushing for the next three seasons. Jones was a first-team All-SEC pick in 1981 and ’82. He also was a good receiver and made the game-winning catch against Miami in 1982 while backpedaling into the end zone. He was a first-round pick in the 1983 NFL Draft. Other notables: LB Earl Everett, CB Bennie Alexander, RB Earl Carr, DB Jim Revels, DB Paul Maliska, Amari Burney LB/DB.

 

#29 Mike Peterson LB (1995-98)
Peterson went to Alachua Santa Fe and he made the 25-or-so-minute drive south on US 441 to UF for college. He was signed as a safety and didn’t move to linebacker until the spring of his redshirt freshman season. He started for two seasons and was an All-American as a senior in 1998, when he led UF with 127 tackles. He had 249 tackles in his UF career. Later, Peterson was
an excellent pro who finished with 951 tackles in the NFL. Other notables: CB Robby Ball, CB Tim Aydt, DB Dwight Jackson, PK Trey Smack, LB Owen Bartruff, CB Janoris Jenkins.

 

I'm eager to hear more about Edger.

 

#28 Chris Doering WR (1992-95)
A walk-on from Gainesville’s P.K. Yonge High — his dad was a pharmacy prof at UF — Doering eventually earned a scholarship and became a vital part of some devastating passing attacks. Chris was a first-team All-SEC pick as a senior in 1995, when he caught a then-SEC record 17 TD passes. His late touchdown catch in 1993 at Kentucky is among the most talked about plays ever in Gator lore. Doering is sixth in school history with 149 receptions, 10th with 2,107 receiving yards and first with 31 TD receptions; he is tied for first, with Amari Cooper, in SEC history in TD receptions. Other notables: CB Richard Fain, CB Randy Talbot, CB Ryan Smith, CB Dock Pollard.

 

#27 Neal Anderson RB (1982-85)
Anderson is from tiny Chipley, in the Florida Panhandle, and chose UF over Alabama. As a true freshman in 1982, he was part of backfield that also included James Jones, John L. Williams and Lorenzo Hampton; all four became NFL first-round picks. Anderson led UF in rushing three times and left as the leading rusher in school history with 3,234 yards, a figure that now is third. He was an All-SEC pick as a senior after being a second-team selection in each of the previous two seasons. Other notables: CB Henry Davis, RB Dameon Pierce, LB Travis Harris, CB Demetric Jackson.

 

#26 Jarvis Williams S/CB (1984-87)
Williams was a standout at Palatka High, and made the short trek on State Road 20 to Gainesville and became a standout for the Gators, as well. He started every game (45) in his four seasons (1984-87). He was known for his big hits — he led UF with 77 tackles in 1987 — and had good ball skills, too, finishing with 10 career picks. He was an All-American as a senior and also was a two-time All-SEC choice. Other notables: S Todd Johnson, S Marcell Harris, CB Ivory Curry, P Jeremy Crawshaw, KR George Grandy.