The greatest Gators ever by number: Nos. 11-15

Who are the greatest Florida Gators football players ever by jersey number? Over the next several days, Gators Online will take a deep dive into UF history and offer our take. Today, we look at Nos. 11 through 15. And it’s a another stout group to say the least. (NOTE: UF jersey records only go back to the early 1960s)

NO. 11: STEVE SPURRIER, QB (1964-66)

Also considered: Riley Cooper, WR (2008-09); Jarred Fayson, WR (2006-07); Ben Hanks, LB (1992-95); Jordan Reed, TE (2010-12); Demarcus Robinson, WR (2013-15); Kyle Trask, QB (2016-20)

Other notable: Neiron Ball, LB (2012-14); Thaddeus Bullard, LB (1997-99); Bobby Dodd, QB (1962)

The skinny: Spurrier not only won the Heisman Trophy in 1966 but led the Gators to their first national title 30 years later as UF’s coach. Spurrier put up big passing numbers for his era and more than anything else made the Gators relevant. In his final season, UF went 9-2 and that included a 27–12 win over No. 8 Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl. Spurrier passed for 4,848 yards and 36 touchdowns at UF. He twice led the SEC in passing.

NO. 12: KERWIN BELL, QB (1984-87)

Also considered: Terry Dean, QB (1991-94); Van Jefferson, WR, (2018-19); Doug Johnson, QB (1996-99); Chris Leak, QB (2003-06)

Other notable: John Brantley III, QB (1977-79); Bob Hewko, QB, (1980-82)

The skinny: A case could be made for Leak, a four-year starter and three-time second-team All-SEC pick who led the Gators to the 2006 national title. But Bell is the choice because he quarterbacked Florida to tremendous heights in 1984 and ’85, led UF to the program’s first No. 1 ranking, helped them finish atop the SEC standings for the first time and was the school’s all-time leading passer when he graduated. Additionally, Bell was the SEC Player of the Year in 1984.

Bell helped the Gators end a six-game losing streak to Georgia and beat the Dawgs twice, went 3-1 against Florida State, 2-0 against Tennessee, beat Miami at the Orange Bowl and guided the Gators to arguably the most memorable comeback in program history — an 18-17 win over No. 5 Auburn. In that game, Bell scored the winning points with a QB keeper on the 2-point conversion.

Simply put, he’s a Florida legend. And he began his career as a walk-on.

NO. 13: ALEX BROWN, DE (1998-2001)

Also considered: Ray Criswell, P (1982-85).

Other notable: Arden Czyewski, PK (1987-91); Feleipe Franks, QB (2016-19); Larry Ochab, QB (1978-1980); Cameron Newton, QB (2007-08)

The skinny: Easy choice. This hasn’t been a strong number at UF, but Brown had a great Gators career. He was a first-team All-American twice and first-team All SEC selection three times. Brown was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2001. He is Florida’s career sacks leader with 33.0. In one memorable game, he had a five-sack performance against the No. 2 Vols in 1999.

NO. 14: BRUCE BENNETT, S (1963-65)

Also considered: Shayne Edge, P (1991-94); Matt Leach, K (2001-04); Ernie Mills, WR (1987-90); Jaylen Watkins, DB (2010-13)

Other notable: Johnell Brown, RB (1979-81); Larry Libertore, QB (1960-62)

The skinny: Bennett was one of the Gators’ top players in the Silver Sixties era in Gainesville. A two-time All-SEC selection, he was a first-team All-American in 1965 and second-team choice in 1964. Bennett once intercepted three passes in a game (vs. Georgia, 1963), and had 13 for his career. That was the school record for many years and still ranks as the fourth-best total at UF. He later was a star in the CFL.

NO. 15: TIM TEBOW, QB (2006-09)

Also considered: Reidel Anthony, WR (1994-96); Wayne Peace, QB (1981-83); Dee Webb, DB (2003-05)

Other notable: Graham Mertz, QB (2023); Eddy Piñeiro, PK (2016-17); Anthony Richardson, QB (2021-22); Lex Smith, QB (1989-90); Kay Stephenson, QB (1965-66)

The skinny: The iconic Tebow is an all-time Gators legend and some might argue he tops the list of UF greats. He helped Florida win two national titles and two SEC titles — and in 2007 he became the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy. Tebow was third in the Heisman voting in 2008 and fifth in 2009. At Florida, he completed 67.1 percent of his passes for 9,286 yards, 88 touchdowns and only 16 interceptions. Meanwhile, he added 2,947 rushing yards and 57 rushing touchdowns. Tebow is fourth all time in UF passing yards for a career — and sixth in rushing.

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