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Florida coach Will Muschamp announced the transfers of sophomore tight end Kent Taylor, redshirt freshman offensive lineman Quinteze Williams, redshirt freshman fullback Rhaheim Ledbetter, and freshman offensive lineman Trevon Young on Thursday through GatorZone. Muschamp also announced that redshirt junior Ian Silberman will leave Florida after his graduation from the university this weekend.
"These young men felt it was in their best interest to look for an opportunity to play somewhere else,'' Muschamp said. "We wish all of them the best of luck."
Silberman was the only player of the five to see significant time in 2013, but only injury freed up space for him on Florida's offensive line. Silberman, himself limited by an off-season injury, played in all 12 games for Florida this fall, but only plaed extensively in Florida's final four games, all of which he started. He would likely not have been in the starting lineup for the Gators in 2013, and, with his degree in hand, is now free to finish his career at any school that will have him, much like former Florida lineman Matt Patchan, now finishing his collegiate career at Boston College.
Taylor played sparingly in 2012, catching a touchdown pass against Louisville in the Sugar Bowl, but did not see the field in 2013, as his slight frame made him a potential liability at tight end, and good depth at wide receiver made hybridizing him unlikely. Taylor was rated by some services as the nation's best tight end in the Class of 2012 as a high school prospect, but never showed much of an ability to put on weight a Florida, a flaw that kept him glued to the aluminum.
Ledbetter, Williams, and Young were all likely to be career reserves at Florida, with Ledbetter finding himself at a disadvantage at both safety and fullback and Williams failing to get into the rotation on either the offensive or defensive line. Young, who was a basketball player before coming to football late in his high school career, is likely leaving Florida to begin a collegiate basketball career.
Gator Country reported the transfers of Ledbetter and Young on Wednesday; Ledbetter also announced his transfer via his Instagram account prior to Gator Country's report.
