Why Gage Wilcox has been missing from Gators spring practice
As the Florida Gators near the halfway mark of spring camp, Gage Wilcox has been noticeably absent. The reason came to an unfortunate light on Thursday night.
UF coach Billy Napier was asked about Wilcox following the Gators’ first scrimmage.
“He’s injured. It’s going to be a season, or really a career-ending injury for him,” Napier said. “Very unfortunate for Gage but certainly, while he was here with us he did a fantastic job. He’s certainly tough.”
Wilcox came to Florida as an On3 Consensus 4-star tight end. He was the No. 10 ranked tight end in the 2021 class.
Wilcox was seen practicing during the first two days of spring camp in the portion open to the media. However, he hadn’t been seen during that open portion since the second practcie.
Wilcox enrolled at Florida in June of 2021. He made his career debut against USF. He only made one other appearance — in the Gasparilla Bowl — as a freshman while earning a redshirt.
Gator struggling with tight end depth
The Gators are trying to use a Band-Aid to make things work at tight end this spring without Wilcox available. Florida also lost two other scholarship tight ends due to injury. Redshirt freshman Nick Elksnis and redshirt sophomore Jonathan Odom will both miss the remainder of spring with injuries.
“We’re thin,” Napier said Thursday. “When you have three guys get injured, scholarship players at a position that’s already a little thin, that throws a wrench in your plans.”
To make up for the lack of depth Florida has had to get creative. Former tight end turned defensive lineman Dante Zanders is back practicing with the group. Former offensive lineman turned defensive lineman Griffin McDowell has also been moved to tight end to fill the void. McDowell, a redshirt senior, began his career as a 3-star interior offensive lineman. He moved to the defensive line prior to the 2021 season.
“Dante Zanders has moved from defensive line to tight end and has really done well. There’s no question in my mind that, not only is he going to be able to play, but he’s going to be able to do his job,” said Napier. “He has been a godsend to some degree, relative to his ability. He’s really bright. and he’s picked it up quickly. He’s able to go out there and execute.”
Currently, Keon Zipperer is the only true scholarship tight end available for the Gators. They also have walk-on, Noah Keeter. The Gainesville native and Bucholz graduate isn’t your typical walk-on. Keeter had a scholarship offer from Chip Kelly and UCLA, an offer he accepted and committed to the Bruins. Ultimately, Keeter chose to stay home and play for his dream school.
