Gators' Tyreak Sapp not shying away from Florida doubters, wants 'all the smoke'
Former Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas star Tyreak Sapp logged his first-career start in week one, having finished with three tackles from his defensive end spot.
There is no doubt Sapp will remember that weekend forever; however, there is a certain stain associated with it following the Gators’ lost to Utah. And because of that, the sophomore wasted little time addressing the team in hopes of them utilizing those unpleasant feelings as motivation.
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“It was very important (to speak with them). I wanted to stress it. I’m like, ‘Take this feeling and kind of put this forth so that we don’t want to feel that again.’ And the guys understood it, and I’m going to keep harping on it throughout the year. Every day, every week, just keep harping on it,” said Sapp.
“Remember that feeling when we lost? Remember that feeling when we felt like you couldn’t do anything about it, when we felt like we were helpless? So, we’ve got to be the aggressors in every situation. Every opportunity to get on that field, we express that anger, we express that feeling.”
Then you have negative reaction from some of Gators Nation and those scattered all across the map
Does Sapp get motivated by some of the disrespect out there and people writing Florida off?
“I love it. Bring it on,” Sapp replied.
You don’t ever block out that negative noise from the outside?
“Never, never. Not at all. I want all the smoke,” said Sapp.
Sapp: ‘Everything I do, I do it for (No.)12’
On top of wins and losses, Sapp has plenty of reasons to get motivated week in and week out.
Obviously, all players want the opportunity to one day play in the NFL. Sapp is no different and being tabbed as a full-time starter provides him with opportunities to ultimately reach that goal. He is forever grateful for the current position he is in.
Another source of motivation comes from his teammate and close friend, Justus Boone, who is out for the season following an ACL tear in camp. Once that happened, the Gators moved Sapp from inside to his natural position at EDGE. Prior to that, he was projected to be a backup at defensive tackle.
“That was one that hit me so hard because that’s like a brother. We came here together. We just worked so hard for our opportunity because this was going to be the year we were going to make our first real impact. Yeah, we played last year, we made an impact, we were a part of that, but now we get to actually lead this team,” said Sapp.
“These young guys look up to us, and they still look up to us even with him being injured. That hasn’t meant anything. It just hit me so hard and then I had to gather my emotions and then get ready for a transition because I had to change positions. I had to gather my emotions and kind of compartmentalize and get ready for what’s the next step.
“And then for me, I had to say everything I do, I do it for 12 because I know he’s burning to be out there. He wishes so much, and I just try to play so hard for him because I know he’s playing through me. Every play, every snap, I give my all for him.”
