The greatest Gators ever by number: Nos. 31-35

Who are the greatest Florida Gators football players ever by jersey number? Gators Online is taking a deep dive into UF history and offering our thoughts. Today, we look at Nos. 31 through 35. (NOTE: UF jersey records only go back to the early 1960s)

NO. 31: Carlton Miles, LB (1989-92)

Also considered: Jalen Tabor, S (2015-16)

Other notable: Andy Cheney, WR/KR (1969-70); Shawn Davis, S (2017-19); Octavious Gould, RB (1986)

The skinny: It was a virtual coin-toss between Tabor and Miles, but Miles got the nod because he was a valuable defender on two UF teams that were first in the SEC and another that nearly beat eventual national champ Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. Tabor was very good and was twice First-Team All-SEC. But Miles was one of the Gators’ most underrated and underappreciated talents of the Steve Spurrier era. He was co-captain with quarterback Shane Matthews in 1992 and he finished that season with 142 tackles, which is top-10 all time at UF. He also led the team in tackles during the 1991 season, when the Gators won their first official SEC title. As a senior, Miles was First-Team All-SEC.

NO. 32: EUGENE MCCASLIN, RB/LB (1995-99)

Also considered: Ricky Mulberry, DB (1983-87); Alan Poe, RB (1962-65)

Other notable: Dustin Doe, LB (2006-09); Willie Green, RB (2000-02); Kedra Malone, RB/DB (1990-94)

The skinny: Some numbers have been loaded. Others haven’t. No. 32 is among the latter. Mulberry wasn’t big, and didn’t earn All-SEC or All-American honors, but he was a tough, gutsy player who was a key contributor for some outstanding defenses. McCaslin never was a star either, but he was solid. Predominantly a blocking back, he played for UF’s first national championship team and was Florida’s second-leading rusher in 1998. As a senior, he moved to linebacker to help the team. That year, McCaslin was on second the squad with 5.5 QB sacks.

NO. 33: ERRICT RHETT, RB (1989-93)

Also considered: Teako Brown, DB (1995-98); Tommy Durrance, RB (1969-71); Tony Green, RB (1975-77); Nat Moore, RB (1973); Larry Smith, RB (1966-68)

Other notable: Ran Carthon, RB (1999-2003); Jack Harper, WR (1963-65); Lindy Infante, HB (1960-62); Kestahn Moore, RB (2006-08); David Reese Il, LB (2016-19)

The skinny: No. 32 isn’t loaded. No. 33 is. But Rhett is the obvious choice because of both his stellar play and his leadership. Brown is No. 2 all time at UF with 14 picks. Green is No. 7 on Florida’s career rushing list. Moore probably was more talented than anyone who has worn No. 33 at UF and became an NFL star. Smith was a first-round pick.

But the ultra-tough and physical Rhett led the Gators in rushing four straight seasons and finished his career with 4,163 yards, the most in Florida history. He recorded 20 100-yard rushing games. Meanwhile, Rhett also had 153 receptions, which ranks fourth at UF. He was on three teams that placed first in the SEC.

NO. 34: JOHN CLIFFORD, S (1970-72)

Also considered: Daryl Dixon, DB (1999-2003)

Other notable: Alex Anzalone, LB (2013-16); Lerentee McCray, DE (2008-12)

The skinny: A native of Coral Gables, Fla., Clifford was a standout safety in the early 1970s. In 1970, he intercepted seven passes, which would remain the school record for three decades. To this day, most remember Clifford as the Gator defender who didn’t drop to the ground during the infamous “Florida Flop” at Miami in 1971. After college, he became the head football coach at Gainesville P.K. Yonge. Clifford sent several players to Florida, most notably receivers Chris Doering, Willie Jackson and Travis McGriff.

NO. 35: AHMAD BLACK, S (2007-10)

Also considered: Jimmy DuBose, RB (1973-75); Larry Dupree, RB (1962-64)

Other notable: Michael Gilmore, S (1990-94)

The skinny: Cases could be made for DeBose, the 1975 SEC Player of the Year, and Dupree, who was All-SEC First-Team three times. DuBose rushed for a then-school record 1,307 yards in 1975 and finished sixth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy. He was a Second-Team AP All-American. Dupree was a stud in the early 1960s. That said, we liked Black as the choice here. He’s fourth on UF’s all-time interceptions list (13), was All-SEC twice, a Second-Team AP All-American in 2010 and starter for the 2008 national champs. He even had a pick in the title game vs. Oklahoma.

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