The greatest Gators ever by number: Nos. 36-40

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. 36 through 40. (NOTE: UF jersey records only go back to the early 1960s)

NO. 36: VITO McKEEVER, DB (1981-83)

Also considered: Kevin Freeman, RB/LB (1990-94); Anthony Williams, RB (1984-87)

Other notable: Richard Skelly, HB, (1960-62)

The skinny: Because this number isn’t particularly strong, we could have gone in a few different directions. But McKeever is the choice. He was a key defender on the 9-2-1 1983 team that was the first in program history to finish a season in the AP Top 10.

Skelly, though, is the most interesting player at No. 36. He was a decent player who was picked by the New York Giants in the third round. Yet there’s far more to the story. In 1961, Skelly was ruled ineligible for the entire season. The reason: His role in a prank on the school’s lmascot, Albert the Alligator.

Back then, Albert was a live alligator the university kept in a pen on campus next to Century Tower. Skelly and two other players, Bob Hoover and Billy Cash, were involved in the prank. Skelly reportedly was found with a hatchet in the pen and the alligator’s tail was nicked. The incident was one of the most infamous and bizarre in Gators history.

Skelly returned to the team the following season, but by October coach Ray Graves had had enough of Skelly and he was booted for disciplinary reasons. Skelly had been a prized recruit and was the star of the school’s unbeaten freshman team in 1959.

NO. 37: BRUCE STARLING, B (1962)

Also considered: Hunter Bowen, P (1970); Cary Geiger, RB (1971-73).

Other notable: Mark Herndon, RB/ST (2012-16)

The skinny: No. 37 doesn’t have any stars, so it was difficult to choose someone. In the end, Starling is the pick. In 1963, he went in the 19th round of the AFL draft. Starling lettered three years. In the 1962 Gator Bowl win over Penn State, he made a one-handed interception.

Starling was inducted into the University of Florida Hall of Fame 2004. This is what it said in the release: “An outstanding athlete who played running back, wide receiver, safety, quarterback and defensive end at various times during his Gator career … Honor student and inductee of Florida Blue Key … Graduate of UF Law School.”

No. 38: HARVIN CLARK, DB (1969-71) 

Also considered: Wayne McCall, LB (1965-67); Willie McGrady, FB (1987-88); Jonathan Phillips, PK (2005-09)

Other notable: Matt Piotrowicz, PK (2000-04)

The skinny: Clark was a member of the famed Super Sophs of 1969 and was a Gator co-captain in 1971. In the ’71 season-ending rout at Miami (the “Florida Flop” game), Clark returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown late in the final quarter. The problem was, Florida had wanted the ball, not points, so quarterback John Reaves could break Jim Plunkett’s career passing record. Miami tried to run out the clock in an attempt to keep Reaves from breaking the record. But with the Hurricanes deep in Gator territory, Clark called for the flop, a play forever known as “38 fall” because of Clark’s number. On the play, most Gator defenders hit the ground, allowing Miami to score. Florida got the ball back and Reaves got his record.

No. 39: NAT MOORE, RB (1972)

Also considered: Larry Brinson, RB (1974-76); Cedric Smith, FB (1986-89)

Other notable: Chris Bilkie, FB (1990-94); Teddy Sims, LB (1996-99)

The skinny: Moore wore No. 33 as a senior but was No. 39 a year earlier — and that was his better season because he was healthy the entire year. That campaign, Moore was an honorable mention AP All-American and First-Team All-SEC pick. He rushed for 845 yards and nine touchdowns on 145 carries and had 25 receptions for 351 yards with four touchdowns. Moore would later become a standout with the Miami Dolphins. He was First-Team All-Pro in 1977.

No. 40: BRANDON SILER, LB (2004-06)

Also considered: Jarrad Davis (2013-16)

Other notable: Johnnie Church, DE (1992-95); Gerold Dickins, LB (1983-87); Brandon Hicks, LB (2007-10); Mike Rich, RB (1969-71) 

The skinny: Siler is one of the more underrated Gator players of this century. As a key member of the 2006 national championship team, he was Third-Team AP All-American and Second-Team All-SEC. That year, Siler tied for the team lead with 53 solo tackles and was third with 10 tackles for loss.

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