Florida's 2012 recruiting class made significant contributions to
the Gators' 11-1 season. On Thursday, four freshmen from the class were
honored by the SEC.
Offensive tackle D.J.
Humphries, linebacker Antonio Morrison, defensive end Jonathan Bullard
and Buck end/linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. were named to the All-SEC
Freshman team that was selected by the league coaches.
UF, Texas A&M and Alabama tied for the most players on the team with four each.
The four UF freshmen combined to start eight games for the Gators this season.
Morrison,
an early enrollee, produced one of the biggest defensive plays of the
season for UF. His big hit and forced fumble on FSU quarterback EJ
Manuel in the fourth quarter turned the game around, sparking the
Gators' 37-26 win in Tallahassee less than two weeks ago. The victory
secured UF a spot in the BCS (Sugar Bowl).
Morrison
started two games in place of the injured Jelani Jenkins at outside
linebacker. With Jenkins recovering from foot surgery, Morrison is
expected to start the Sugar Bowl.
Humphries
started three games this season and was part of UF's jumbo package that
helped the Gators have success on the ground in key victories,
including the win over LSU.
Bullard started two games and Fowler one.
Bullard led the Gators in quarterback hurries with seven. He also recorded 2.5 sacks and 26 tackles.
Fowler had 6.5 tackles for loss and recorded 2.5 sacks.
Also
on Thursday, three Gators — junior safety Matt Elam, junior defensive
tackle Sharrif Floyd and senior place-kicker Caleb Sturgis — were named
to the Sporting News' All-America team. It is the first time since 2009
that UF has had three players earn All-America recognition.
Earlier this week, Elam was named a first-team All-American by CSBSports.com.
Elam
and sophomore punter Kyle Christy were also named to the Walter Camp
All America Second Team Defense on Thursday. The last Gator punter to
earn the honor was Chas Henry in 2010, and the last time for a UF safety
was in 2006 when Reggie Nelson made first-team defense.
