Defensive tackle Chris Thomas Jr. rejoins the Florida football team

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•08/04/22•

ZachAbolverdi

Chris Thomas Jr. has rejoined the Florida Gators, six weeks after being cut from the team.

The redshirt freshman defensive tackle was added back to the 2022 roster on Thursday morning, Gators Online has learned. Thomas went through spring football camp with the new coaching staff but was one of three Gators removed from the roster on June 22.

Thomas was initially cut due to disciplinary reasons, multiple sources indicated to Gators Online. However, one source said he has since worked his way back in the good graces of the staff and earned another opportunity to play for the Gators this season.

His return provides more depth at the defensive tackle position, where Florida lost three players from last year in Daquan Newkirk, Tyrone Truesdell and Antonio Valentino. Moreover, top returning defensive lineman Gervon Dexter will play more end this fall, so Thomas gives UF another interior option.

In addition to Thomas, who made his collegiate debut in the Gasparilla Bowl, the Gators have six other defensive tackles on the roster in Jaelin Humphries, Jalen Lee, Jamari Lyons, Chris McClellan, Griffin McDowell and Desmond Watson

Sean Spencer on his D-line

Florida co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Sean Spencer gave his assessment of his position group Tuesday at the start of training camp and how the players have taken to his coaching style.

“It was a little bit of a shock when we first got here, right? Like, we come in and everything on and off the field is full speed. I think the deer in the headlights, and then the anticipation that they wanted to get better, knowing that here’s change, right? And you got to be willing to accept change,” Spencer said.

“They understood that it was just going to be different, and this is the way we’re going to do things. Then I think when it becomes nature to them and natural for them to do this thing, and they meet our expectations, they see that it’s really not that difficult. It’s really what’s required and let’s get a little bit higher.”

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