Ex-Gators LB Ty'Ron Hopper adds ‘more fuel to the fire’ vs. Mizzou
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For the second time this season, the Gators football team will be facing a former a Florida linebacker on the opposing sidelines. After meeting Utah’s Mohamoud Diabate in the opener, UF crosses paths Saturday with Missouri transfer Ty’Ron Hopper.
Hopper spent three seasons at Florida and played in 21 games, totaling 77 tackles (38 solo), 3.0 sacks, 9.5 TFLs, two pass breakups and one forced fumble. But after the coaching change, he decided to enter the portal in January and transferred to Mizzou.
His cousin, Tyrone Hopper, also plays for the Tigers.
“Nothing but respect for Hopper. I really thought he was a good player. The time that I had with him, I thought he was a really good person as well. We certainly would have loved to have him on our team,” Florida coach Billy Napier said.
“Just a unique window of time there. Certainly with his family, I think a family member that also went to Missouri. A little bit of a deal there. Nothing but respect. He’s playing great. Certainly a good competitor, one that I think has a good future in front of him.”
He leads the Tigers with 33 tackles and 8.0 tackles-for-loss, which ranks second in the SEC. Despite his history with Florida, Saturday’s matchup isn’t personal for Ty’Ron Hopper.
“Honestly, it’s easy,” he said this week when asked about returning to UF. “It’s just another game. We’re just trying to win (the) SEC. It’s gonna be a big game, it’s gonna be a dogfight.
“I wasn’t with that staff or with that scheme or anything. So, it’s honestly like preparing for another team.”
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While Hopper may be treating the Gators as another nameless, faceless opponent, one of his former teammates is looking forward to competing against him.
“I think it just brings more fuel to the fire,” Florida linebacker Ventrell Miller said. “I hated to see him go. But since it’s down to rival teams now, I think it just brings more fuel, just to show up and dominate.
“That’s my boy. Even though he’s at Missouri, I still have a good relationship with him. Talked to him this week actually. Seeing him and how he’s developed, I’m just happy for him and want him to keep going.”
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In other Florida football news
- Florida vs. Missouri: A weird and wacky history between the new SEC Eastern Division foes.
- Gators Online Gameday predictions for Saturday’s homecoming game against the Tigers.
- How the GatorMade program changed receiver Justin Shorter’s “whole perspective on life.”
- Savannah Bailey talks GatorMade Week and the initiative’s impact on the football program.
UF recruiting roundup
- Florida will host a handful of prospects for Saturday’s homecoming matchup against Mizzou.
- An All-American Bowl linebacker commit will be in attendance for the Florida-Missouri game.
- Four-star DT Kayden McDonald has the Gators in his final five and a commitment date is set.
- Nothing but orange and blue for On300 safety Jordan Castell, a recent Gators commitment.
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Gators Twitter updates
- Safety Rashad Torrence II mic’d up at practice:
- Florida coach Billy Napier on GatorMade Week:
