Trent Whittemore leaves Florida Gators football program
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Gators wide receiver Trent Whittemore has left the program, the redshirt sophomore announced on Twitter. As a graduate, Whittemore will be eligible to play right away in 2023 and will have two years of eligibility left.
Whittemore walked for senior day last Saturday prior to Florida’s 38-6 win over South Carolina.
The redshirt sophomore from Buchholz High School right in Gainesville dreamed of playing for the Gators. In less than four years, Whittemore earned a degree from the University of Florida. He began pursuing a Master’s in telecommunications this fall.
Whittemore was a Florida legacy. His mother, grandfather, and great-grandfather all attended UF. His mother, Missy, played volleyball for UF from 1992-95, earning All-Southeastern Conference honors in 1993, 1994, and 1995.
Whittemore saw just action in just two games in 2019 while taking a redshirt. He appeared in seven games in 202 and finished the regular season with eight catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. Whittemore made eight starts in 2021 with 10 total games played. He hauled in 19 catches last season for 210 yards and one score.
Creed Whittemore, Trent’s brother, was once committed to Florida but has since flipped his commitment to Mississippi State.
Whittemore’s playing time decreased with new staff
Heading into the spring, Whittemore looked poised to have a major role in Billy Napier’s offense. The Gators didn’t have a true slot receiver, and while at 6-3 and 204 pounds, he doesn’t have the typical build for a slot receiver, he does have the athleticism. He was the Gators’ best option at the time.
Napier’s offense utilizes a lot of 12 personnel and when Arizona State receiver Ricky Pearsall transferred to Florida he quickly ate into Whittemore’s role. As the season has progressed, Pearsall has erased Whittemore’s role from the offense.
On the season, Pearsally has played in 407 snaps while Whittemore has just 47 snaps in seven games.
“Offenses have different focuses. I would say, at the end of the day, you know, football is football. When you’re out there, you know, it might be a different terminology or very different signal, but you’re gonna use the same skills that you always have. So, there are some differences in the offense, but when you’re out there, you know, playing receivers playing receiver,” Whittemore said earlier this year. “So, I would say the personnel changes, they will be there, but that’s not really something you focus on, you know what I mean? When your number’s called you just go out there and perform.”
