During Florida’s Football Media Day on Wednesday, Inside the Gators was able to catch up with returning Gator players and get their opinions on the signees from the 2017 recruiting class, some of which enrolled at the start of the Summer B semester.
Sophomore Chauncey Gardner Jr. on cornerbacks Brian Edwards and Shawn Davis: “As a whole, from the young guys coming in, I don’t really individualize them because everybody has their own strengths and weaknesses. As a whole, their strengths are amazing. Their weaknesses, some just need to work on. But like I said, we try to focus on being more of a mental game and help them grow as one instead of focusing on what one can do, or what the other one can’t do.”
* Redshirt Senior Nick Washington on the incoming freshmen: “Seeing those guys come in. Obviously, everyone that came in, no one really knew what exactly to do. But they’re willing to listen and just take in what we say. They’re coming along really well and I can’t wait to see what they do in camp.”
* Sophomore David Reese on the incoming linebackers: “Those guys are great talents. They’re very athletic. We just have to hope everyone stays healthy and make sure they get into the playbook. Make sure they learn everything and have less doubts as possible because you never know what happens. Like last year, we had three guys, we would have never expected Jarrad Davis and Alex Anzalone, two NFL Draft picks, to get hurt and we’d have to play as true freshmen. As long as their prepared just like we were prepared, they should be fine.
* Sophomore Antonneous Clayton on Tedarrell Slaton and the other freshmen: “Those guys came in and they’re ready to play. This is one of the best freshmen classes I’ve ever seen that I’ve ever been around. I watch other freshmen classes from other schools. But I think the freshman class that came in this year, I don’t even really feel like they’re freshmen. It feels like they’ve been here.”
* Junior Cece Jefferson on how the freshmen defensive linemen looked during PRP’s: "Those are some big dudes, man. You know, they catch on fast, they are like sponges. Whatever the older guys or the coaches say, they just suck it in and do it during OTA's. They are very coachable and I love that about those guys. They have a willing to learn, so I think they are going to help us a lot this year."
* Redshirt Freshman Feleipe Franks on quarterback Jake Allen: "He's a good person. He's just a good person. obviously a good quarterback. He tried to approach the game and bring everything down and make it simple and he's a good learner. He takes things in like a sponge like what we are saying to him. He's just a good learner. Good player. Good learner. Good person."
* Sophomore Jawaan Taylor on offensive lineman T.J. Moore: “T.J. Moore can contribute at any position, whether it’s center, guard, or tackle. We bought him in to help us out, to give us more depth on the line. He can contribute from day one for us. He’s a good, physical guy.”
* Redshirt Freshman Brett Heggie on Moore: "So, he's definitely coming in with the body type and he comes with the work ethic and he's a humble kid. I think he's going to do the little things and eventually, I think he's going to find the field. He's a very hard-working kid. He's quiet and he just does what he needs to do. I'm excited about his future."
* Sophomore Tyrie Cleveland on wide receiver Daquon Green: "He's very quick, smart guy. I feel like he just needs to know the playbook like any other freshman coming in. I feel like once he learns the playbook and gets comfortable, the sky is the limit. One thing I keep telling him is just to keep working and just keep studying."
* Redshirt Junior Dre Massey on how Daquon Green looked during PRP’s: "I think he's a very mature freshman. He runs great routes; he can catch the ball well."
* Sophomore Lamical Perine’s thoughts on the Summer B enrollees Malik Davis and Adarius Lemons: "They are top-tier guys. They just need to get in here and learn and play ball. That's the biggest part when you try to come in and play."
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