Gators announce signing of Michigan LB transfer Deuce Spurlock

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•01/09/23•

ZachAbolverdi

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Almost 24 hours after committing to Florida, Deuce Spurlock officially became a Gator. UF announced the signing of the Michigan linebacker transfer on Monday.

Spurlock pledged to the Gators at the conclusion of his official visit Sunday. He’s the second linebacker they’ve added from the transfer portal, joining Ohio State’s Teradja Mitchell.

The 6-foot-1, 231-pound Spurlock did not see much playing time in 2022, appearing in two games and logging three tackles. The redshirt freshman has four years of eligibility remaining.

With the addition of Spurlock, UF has now landed five transfers from the portal along with Mitchell, quarterback Graham Mertz (Wisconsin) and defensive linemen Caleb Banks (Louisville) and Cam’Ron Jackson (Memphis).

What does Spurlock bring to the Gators?

The Gators needed depth at inside linebacker, which Spurlock certainly provides. However, can he make an impact and compete for a starting job with the Gators this season? Right now, Derek Wingo and Shemar James should be the frontrunners to start, but Mitchell brings a ton of experience and Spurlock should acclimate to the team quickly as well.

On3’s Michigan site, The Wolverine, had this to say about Spurlock. Tim Verghese wrote that he was among the five most underrated signees in Michigan’s 2022 class.

“A stat sheet stuffer, three-star Michigan linebacker signee Deuce Spurlock posted 186 tackles, 27 tackles for loss with eight sacks, two pass breakups and a forced fumble as a senior. Spurlock ranks as the No. 1,049-ranked player in the nation, but his production and potential far outweigh his ranking. Auburn, Florida and even Clemson showed late attention to Spurlock, but the underrated linebacker remained locked in with the Wolverines and is signed and ready to enroll in the summer.”

The Wolverine staff writer Anthony Broome spoke with Spurlock’s high school coach, Madison Academy’s Bob Godsey, who had high praise for the versatile linebacker.

“I think he can fit in anywhere. That’s another strength of his. He’s a hybrid. He can do a lot of things. He can play the edge or the middle. He can blitz or play the pass. He can play half-field safety. Having multiple talents would be an asset for any program, especially Michigan.”

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