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Florida defensive tackle Chris Thomas Jr. entering the transfer portal

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•12/07/22•

ZachAbolverdi

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Florida defensive tackle Chris Thomas Jr. (Isabella Marley/UAA Photo)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Gators defensive tackle Chris Thomas Jr. has announced he is entering the transfer portal.

“First off I would like to thank Dan Mullen, Billy Napier, and their staff for molding me into a better player and person,” Thomas wrote. “I have had a great time being part of Gator Nation but with that being said I’ve decided to enter my name in the transfer portal with three years of eligibility left.”

Thomas, a redshirt freshman from Ft. Myers, appeared in one game this season against Eastern Washington.

Thomas went through spring camp with the new coaching staff but was one of three Gators removed from the roster on June 22. Six weeks after being cut from the team, however, Thomas was able to rejoin the Florida football team for fall training camp.

Thomas was initially cut due to disciplinary reasons, multiple sources indicated to Gators Online. However, one source said he has since worked his way back in the good graces of the staff and earned another opportunity to play for the Gators this season.

“Just some internal things there from a logistical standpoint relative to his role on the team and his eligibility and ability to participate with the team,” UF coach Billy Napier said in early August when asked how Thomas worked his way back. “Some of those things have been cleared up. Those things took time.

“Obviously, we’ll keep the details in house there, but we’re happy that Chris is back with us and certainly continue his development, his growth. Obviously, football, but the person and the student, I think it’s all really, really important. Chris is a young player and he’s got an opportunity in front of him here to continue to improve in all those areas.”

Thomas, who made his collegiate debut in the Gasparilla Bowl last season, was a four-star recruit in the 2021 class and a much-needed high school signee at defensive tackle after the previous UF staff had relied on transfers at the position.

“I think Chris being back is a big deal just for the depth of that group,” Napier said in August. “That’s one of the groups where we need to develop some depth. I think both lines of scrimmage, we’ve a good one-and-a-half group if that makes sense. But who are the next-best players? There’s a ton of competition there. There’s a lot of roles that are being determined there. So, this training camp will be critical to both sides of the ball relative to the line of scrimmage.

“Chris being back will help there (at defensive tackle). There are some other young players there, that really, when you think about it, no experience or very minimal experience. I think that’s what practice is for, and I think in the game of football in particular, the development takes place in the practice setting. That group has got a lot of work to do to get game-ready, certain players in particular.”

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