Good Morning Gators: Jason Marshall standing out; Kelly Rae Finley hired
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After making an impact as a true freshman, Florida cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. is also standing out away the field this offseason.
Marshall has apparently been putting in work with his diet and studies. He was recognized for his efforts Monday, earning both Nutrition Athlete of the Week and Scholar Athlete of the Week from the new football staff.
Marshall appeared in 12 games last season with five starts, making 23 tackles, three pass breakups and one interception. He made his first-career pick in the regular season finale against FSU and allowed just one reception for 18 yards on six targets in that game.
Marshall also gave up zero receptions on eight targets vs. Vanderbilt and finished the year with a 36.8 completion percentage against him. Only Western Michigan’s Dorian Jackson had a better completion percentage nationally (34.5), according to Pro Football Focus.
Marshall had fewest yards allowed (186) among SEC cornerbacks in 2021, per PFF (minimum of 300 snaps). Second behind Marshall was Kaiir Elam with 191 yards.
With Elam forgoing his senior year for the NFL Draft and former LSU assistant Corey Raymond now coaching Florida’s cornerbacks, the door is open for Marshall to become a full-time starter in 2022 and get developed at his position by the best in the business.
Under the direction of first-year coach Billy Napier, Florida started naming nutrition and scholar athletes of the week on Feb. 7. Three athletes are selected for each category every Monday.
Here are the UF players who were recognized in February:
Nutrition athletes of the week: Anthony Richardson, O’Cyrus Torrence, Lorenzo Lingard (Feb. 7), Kingsley Eguakun, Jack Miller, Kamryn Waites (Feb. 15); Keon Zipperer, Justin Pelic, Josh Braun (Feb. 21); Jason Marshall Jr., Ja’Quavion Fraziars, Yousef Mugharbil (Feb. 28)
Scholar athletes of the week: Antwuan Powell, Chris McClellan, Trent Whittemore (Feb. 7); Montrell Johnson, Demarkcus Bowman, Desmond Watson (Feb. 15); Devin Moore, Gervon Dexter, Nay’quan Wright (Feb. 21); Jason Marshall Jr., Jalen Kitna, Justin Shorter (Feb. 28)
In other Florida football news
- With camp approaching, Gators Online will preview Florida’s offense, defense and special teams over the next two weeks. Up first: the quarterback position.
- Gators Online’s Nick de la Torre continues his countdown of 10 players he’s excited to see heading into spring camp with running back Demarkcus Bowman.
- Former UF running back Dameon Pierce is rising up NFL Draft boards after his showing at the Senior Bowl, executive director Jim Nagy told On3’s Matt Zenitz.
- Former Florida wide receivers coach Billy Gonzales is staying in the Sunshine State. FAU will hire Gonzales for the same role, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
UF recruiting roundup
- Gators Online’s Corey Bender provides UF-related takeaways from the updated 2023 On300 rankings released Monday.
- Florida’s group effort from Napier, Sean Spencer, Jamar Chaney and Katie Turner is paying off with four-star DT Jordan Hall.
- Four-star running back Treyaun Webb is feeling the love from Napier’s staff ahead of his trip to Gainesville this week.
- Despite being committed to Michigan, top-100 linebacker Raylen Wilson will be visiting UF this month as well.
- Four-star tight end Jelani Thurman will get his first taste of the Gators at some point in March, either by himself or with his teammates.
Gators sports roundup
- In a very cool moment captured on video (see below), UF athletics director Scott Stricklin named Kelly Rae Finley permanent head coach of Gators women’s hoops in front of her team Monday.
- After a season-high 27 points against Georgia and a Mardi Gras-like celebration, Florida guard and Athens native Phlandrous Fleming Jr. is looking to build on breakout performance Tuesday night at Vanderbilt.
- UF infielder Colby Halter was named Co-SEC Player of the Week on Monday and also honored as one of Collegiate Baseball’s National Players of the Week after hitting three homers and scoring nine runs.
Let’s keep talking
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Gators Twitter updates
Watch the reaction from Finley’s team after Stricklin names her permanent coach:
Florida defensive back Kamar Wilcoxson is counting down the days until spring ball:
The new On300 rankings for the Class of 2023:
