Dooley’s Dozen: 12 most important players in Florida-Utah game
One question I have received a lot from radio and print media types doing interviews about Florida is whether Gator fans realize what they are getting when Utah comes to town.
For all of the criticism the fan base receives for being too tough on their team, Gator Nation knows football. They know a team ranked seventh in the country is going to bring its “A” game to the Swamp.
But the last couple of weeks before the season will also be a chance for them to educate themselves on the particulars of what is going to be a hot, sticky, intense opening game in the Billy Napier Era.
Here’s one thing I know – someone will surprise us. But all we can go by right now are expectations. Which is why Dooley’s Dozen will give you a little taste of what you can expect by giving you the 12 most important players on Sept. 3.
With a catch – I’m not including the quarterbacks (Anthony Richardson and Cam Rising) because the quarterbacks are always the most important people in the game. Too easy.
Tavion Thomas, Utah RB
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Florida’s defense has struggled against the run the last two years, and this might be as good a running back as any of these guys have faced. He started only four games last year and still scored 21 TDs, the third-highest total in the nation last year. Florida has no chance if it can’t contain him.
Trey Dean III, Florida DB
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It’s time for No. 0 to play like a leader. Dean is tall for a secondary player at 6-foot-3-inches and sometimes seems to have trouble with leverage. But he has been in college football long enough to have all the tools to have a big senior season. Now, just go do it.
Brant Kuithe, Utah TE
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Utah loves throwing the ball to the tight end and especially to this guy who has been All-Pac 12 three times. He already has 129 catches in his career and will challenge Florida’s linebackers and strong safeties with his size and senior experience.
Keon Zipperer, Florida TE
AP Photo/John Raoux
Remember last year when the tight end from Lakeland had four catches against Alabama? The rest of the season was marred by an injury and a lack of production. Zipperer only has 25 catches in three seasons at UF and with a thin tight end room he has to come up big.
Van Fillinger, Utah DE
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Fillinger was a big get for Utah, a four-star pass rusher from Salt Lake City who led all Pac-12 freshmen last year with 5.5 sacks. The Gators will have to keep the 6-4 preseason All-Pac-12 star off Richardson.
Ventrell Miller, Florida LB
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
I cannot stress enough how important Miller is to this game and every one after it. Without him, Florida couldn’t stop a simple trap play against LSU last year. Utah is a balanced offense, and if Miller can revert to pre-injury form, he will be the difference in a lot of games this season.
Clark Phillips III, Utah CB
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The dude is legit as a cover corner and could very well be a first-round draft pick. Think of him as a shorter (5-foot-10-inch) version of [autotag]Kaiir Elam[/autotag]. He has tremendous ball skills and led the conference in passes defended in 2021.
O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida OL
UAA Communications/Isabella Marley
Florida’s offensive line is supposed to be better this season, and Torrence is a big reason. He has been named preseason All-SEC after being All-Sun Belt at Louisiana. This could be the missing link Florida has badly needed to get the run game cranked up.
Mohamoud Diabate, Utah LB
AP Photo/John Raoux
The transfer from Florida is going to try to help fill the holes left by first-round pick Devin Lloyd and starter Nephi Sewell. Diabate was Florida’s second-leading tackler a year ago but lacked coverage skills. Certainly, he can tell these guys all about playing in the Swamp.
Xzavier Henderson, Florida WR
Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun
Hey, I could have picked any of Florida’s receivers, and with [autotag]Ricky Pearsall[/autotag]’s status up in the air we know somebody is going to have to come through. Call it a hunch, but I think Henderson is about to emerge.
Devaughn Vele, Utah WR
Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Britain Covey was the go-to receiver last year, but he is in the NFL, and Utah coaches expect Vele, a former walk-on, to be a major factor. He had 23 catches last year and the Utes are looking for more explosive plays in the passing game this season. He could be the answer.
Gervon Dexter, Florida DL
James Gilbert/Getty Images
I saved him for last because it feels like the defense will go how he goes. He can be dominant, but he has to play every play like it is his last. This is a contract year, big guy, and you’re going to get every opportunity to move around on that D-line and become an All-SEC player.
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