The greatest Gators ever by number: Nos. 26-30

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. 26 through 30. (NOTE: UF jersey records only go back to the early 1960s)

NO. 26: JARVIS WILLIAMS, S (1984-87)

Also considered: Ivory Curry, KR (1980-82); Todd Johnson, S (1999-2002)

Other notable: Jeremy Crawshaw, P (2020-23); George Grandy, KR (1964-66)

The skinny: This was practically a coin toss between Williams and Johnson and an argument could be made for either. Both were terrific. Johnson was All-SEC three times. Meanwhile, Williams was one of the best UF defensive players in the 1980s. The hard-hitting safety was an AP honorable mention All-American three times and a two-time Second-Team All-SEC selection. He started every game in his four-year career in an era when UF probably had the best defenses in the SEC — and his 10 career interceptions were the third highest total on the school’s all-time list when he left Gainesville. He is perhaps best known for his bone-jarring tackle vs. Miami in 1986.

NO. 27: NEAL ANDERSON, RB (1982-85) 

Also considered: Henry Davis, CB (1974-77); Dameon Pierce, RB (2018-21)

Other notable: Demetric Jackson, CB (1993-96)

The skinny: Only one player besides Anderson at this number was All-SEC. That was Davis. But he is best known for being the defensive back who was beaten on the famed Appleby-to-Washington play against Georgia in 1975, a game the Gators lost 10-7 and it cost them the SEC title. Anderson was a humble star during an amazing era in Gainesville. He led the Gators in rushing three times and later became a Pro Bowler with the Chicago Bears. Anderson is third on UF’s all-time rushing list with 3,234 yards. He was never First-Team All-SEC, partly because UF’s backs split carries and Florida’s fullback at the time, John L. Williams, arguably was the best in the country.

No. 28: CHRIS DOERING, WR (1992-95)

Also considered: Richard Fain, CB (1987-90); Ryan Smith, CB (2006); Randy Talbot, DB (1972-74)

Other notable: Dock Pollard, CB (1996-98)

The skinny: Fain and Smith each earned All-American recognition, but Doering truly is an all-time Gators great. He started his UF career as a walk-on but ended up a legend and one of the most beloved players in Florida history. Doering’s late touchdown catch in 1993 at Kentucky is among the most talked about plays ever in Gator lore. He finished his career with 149 receptions for 2,107 yards and 31 touchdowns—the best in the UF record books. In 1995, he caught 70 passes, and helped the Gators go 12-1 and play for the national championship.

No. 29: MIKE PETERSON, LB (1995-98)

Also considered: Trey Smack, PK (2022-24)

Other notable: Owen Bartruff, OLB (1987-88); Janoris Jenkins, CB (2008)

The skinny: There wasn’t much competition for Peterson here, but he certainly was a high-level talent during a tremendous era of Gators football. A high school quarterback from Alachua (Fla.) Santa Fe, he became one of the SEC’s most feared linebackers. Peterson led the team in tackles in 1998 and was a second-team AP All-American that season. He had 249 tackles in his UF career. Later, Peterson was an excellent pro who finished with 951 tackles in the NFL.

No. 30: JAMES JONES, RB (1980-82)

Also considered: Earl Everett, LB (2003-06)

Other notable: Bennie Alexander, CB (1997-2001); Amari Burney (2018-20); Earl Carr, RB (1975-77); Jim Revels, DB (1972-73)

The skinny: Everett and Revels were good players. But the 6-foot-2 and 229-pound Jones was an easy choice at No. 30. He was First-Team All-SEC twice in the early 1980s in an era when running backs ruled the league. Meanwhile, he helped elevate the program from also-ran into top-tier team. Jones, who led UF in rushing three straight seasons, finished his Gator career with 2,026 rushing yards and 593 receiving yards. His one-handed catch to beat Miami in the early 1980s is an all-time Gators highlight. Jones went 13th overall in the 1983 draft.

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