#D23AMTEAM: Meet the 10 transfers from Florida's 2023 class

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi02/06/23

ZachAbolverdi

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida coach Billy Napier and his staff landed a total of 10 transfers in the Class of 2023, including nine signees after the December signing day.

All 10 players are enrolled on campus to participate in offseason workouts and spring practices. Meet the Gators’ new 2023 roster additions from the transfer portal.

DL Caleb Banks

Measurables: 6-foot-5.75, 318 pounds

Former stop: Played two seasons at Louisville and redshirted his freshman year. Appeared in seven total games and totaled two tackles with a sack and TFL. Will have three years of eligibility at Florida.

Quotable: “Caleb Banks is 6-5 and ¾. I think he was 318 (most recently). So, height, length and really good tape. … I think Caleb is impressive so far.” — Gators coach Billy Napier

RB Cameron Carroll

Measurables: 6-foot, 232 pounds

Former stop: Played in 40 career games at Tulane with 10 starts. Totaled career numbers of 1,638 rushing yards, 19 rushing touchdowns and an average of 5.3 yards per rush, along with 23 receptions for 247 yards and five scores.

Quotable: “I think it was a perfect piece of the puzzle big picture wise. Obviously, with Montrell [Johnson], Trevor [Etienne] and Treyaun [Webb] being here early, that’s three scholarship running backs and we like to live in that five range there as well so you get a player who has one year of eligibility, potentially two. Really his role was limited at Tulane due to the turf toe and the guy’s rushed for over 1,000 yards for his career. He’s 6-foot and 230 pounds and a very productive player if you go back and evaluate the tape. A guy that brings some special teams value as well and a player that we were familiar with. Good fit.” — Gators coach Billy Napier

OL Damieon George Jr.

Measurables: 6-foot-6, 372 pounds

Former stop: Played in 17 games at Alabama and started at right tackle in the final three regular-season games of the 2021 season. Will have three years of eligibility at Florida.

Quotable: “Some of the young players that we added have significant height, length, functional movement, bright futures — in particular, Damieon George. He has been, you know, essentially a backup for two and a half seasons at a very good program.” — Gators coach Billy Napier

OL Kiyaunta Goodwin

Measurables: 6-foot-7.5, 359 pounds

Former stop: Spent freshman year at Kentucky and played in 11 games in 2022. Ranked a five-star recruit by 247sports in the Class of 2022.

Quotable: “Kiyaunta Goodwin was obviously a highly regarded player coming out. … Kiyaunta has four (years) for three (seasons of eligibility). So, you’ve got some players that not only are ready to contribute, but also have a number of years left eligibility-wise.” — Gators coach Billy Napier

DL Cam’Ron Jackson

Measurables: 6-foot-6, 353 pounds

Former stop: Appeared in 34 games at Memphis, including every game in back-to-back seasons. Started all 13 games at NT last year and totaled 51 tackles, five sacks, four quarterback hurries and 2.5 TFLs.

Quotable: “I think Cam’Ron Jackson is at 6-3, 353. When given an opportunity to play, Cam’Ron in particular had really good film.” — Gators coach Billy Napier

OL Micah Mazzccua

Measurables: 6-foot-4.75, 322 pounds

Former stop: Started 10 games last season at left guard for Baylor. Allowed only one sack in 367 pass protection snaps in 2022. Ranked No. 2 offensive guard in the Big 12 by Pro Football Focus. Last name pronounced muh-ZOO-cuh (like bazooka).

Quotable: “I do think that Micah Mazzccua has been a very productive player in the past. Big, long, some experience. And Mazzccua is three for three. — Gators coach Billy Napier

QB Graham Mertz

Measurables: 6-foot-2.75, 219 pounds

Former stop: A three-year starter at Wisconsin who made 32 starts and 34 appearances. Career totals of 5,405 passing yards, 38 passing touchdowns, 26 interceptions and eight rushing scores. Completed 164 of 286 pass attempts (57.3 percent) for 2,136 yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 INTs last season.

Quotable: “We evaluated a lot of quarterbacks in the portal. You’re talking about a guy who started 32 games, an experienced player, and I do believe he’s got unique tools. When you go back all the way to his high school recruitment, he was one of the top quarterbacks in the country. Little under 6-3, he’s 215 pounds, extremely intelligent. Had a great conversation with (former Wisconsin coach) Paul Chryst — just all the people there who spoke on his behalf. I think we’re getting an experienced player that’s got arm talent, that can process, and wanted to be at Florida. He has been fantastic. I think he has proven his work ethic, just observing him and hearing other players talk about him. The work he’s done with our staff — not only strength and conditioning, but also every part of training, nutrition and film study. The guy’s a very experienced player.” — Gators coach Billy Napier

LB Teradja Mitchell

Measurables: 6-foot-1.25, 240 pounds

Former stop: Played in 43 total games and notched eight starts at Ohio State. Had 45 total tackles, including 4.5 TFLs, as a team captain in 2021. Totaled 64 career tackles and 8.5 TFLs.

Quotable: “Really excited about Teradja. 6-1 ½, he weighs 240 pounds. This guy was voted team captain at Ohio State. He’s a one-year player, but I think with the departure of Ventrell [Miller] and [Amari] Burney and [Derek] Wingo’s injury, I thought that early addition was a big deal. Certainly from a leadership standpoint, maturity standpoint. Played in some big games. Injured this year or would have had a bigger role at Ohio State.” — Gators coach Billy Napier

LB Mannie Nunnery

Measurables: 6-foot-1.25, 224 pounds

Former stop: Played in 34 career games at Houston with eight starts. Totaled 75 tackles (45 solo), 3.0 TFLs, three blocks and two pass breakups. Finished fifth on the team in tackles with 46 last season. Blocked two punts and three kicks in 2021 to earn the National Special Teams Player of the Year Award.

Quotable: “Mannie Nunnery, obviously two years ago he was the national special teams player of the year. 6-1 ½, 225-pound guy who from a testing perspective is already one of the more athletic kids on our team. I think we did ourselves right there.” — Gators coach Billy Napier

LB Duece Spurlock

Measurables: 6-foot-0.50, 224 pounds

Former stop: Appeared in two games and redshirted at Michigan last season. Recorded three tackles vs. Hawaii. Will have four years of eligibility remaining at Florida.

Quotable: “Deuce Spurlock is a guy that we tried to recruit a year ago. We had a really good relationship with him and his family early on in the recruiting process, going all the way back to Louisiana. 6-foot ½, 225 pounds, really athletic player. Four years to play.” — Gators coach Billy Napier

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