Good Morning Gators: Mike Peterson mic'd up; Practice intel; New podcast
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Florida outside linebackers coach Mike Peterson is one of four former NFL players on Billy Napier’s coaching staff.
After retiring from the league in 2014 after 14 seasons, Peterson turned in his cleats for a whistle and started his coaching career.
“I just looked at it more like I’m giving back to the game,” Peterson said. “This game, it’s blessed me along the way and helped me be able to bless a lot of people in my life, whether it be family, friends and neighbors — you always want to give back to the game. And I think coaching, being able to affect college kids is kind of the ultimate way of giving back to the game.”
RELATED: Mike Peterson brings his ‘coach’s creed’ back to UF
One of the players at his position is outside linebacker Chief Borders. During his appearance Thursday on the Gators Online Podcast, Borders discussed what it’s been like learning from Peterson this spring.
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“Coach P, man, being coached by a Gator Great, Hall of Famer, he’s just a down-to-earth coach,” Borders said. “He’s been in my shoes. He’s walked on this campus in my shoes before and he paved the way for me. I know he was recently at South Carolina, so for him to come back to his home, it’s just great to have him.
“He grew up here, he played here and he has accomplished several milestones being in this program. So for him to coach me, I’m soaking in everything that he’s got to offer. Everything. I’m asking questions on and off the field, getting in extra film studies with him, anything I can possibly get out of him. I’m like a sponge.”
In other Florida football news
- News, notes, intel and observations from Florida’s 11th practice Thursday, including details on the spring game next week.
- Gators outside linebacker Chief Borders was recognized this week as Florida football’s inaugural Wuerffel Man of the Month.
- Gators Online Podcast: Chief Borders joins the shows to discuss choosing Florida over Stanford, spring football, the new staff, the GatorMade program and more.
UF recruiting roundup
- Another week, another visit to Florida for top-100 defensive lineman Derrick LeBlanc, who announces his decision July 23.
- Justice Haynes, the nation’s No. 3 RB in the On3 Consensus, was blown away in Gainesville: “One of the most impressive visits I’ve had ever.”
- Florida played host this week to four-star quarterback Josh Flowers, a top-100 overall prospect for the Class of 2024.
Gators sports roundup
- Gators forward Tuongthach Gatkek entered the transfer portal Wednesday, becoming the third player to leave the program in the past week.
Let’s keep talking
Want to keep the conversation going? Head over to our Florida message board, Swamp Talk. Gators Online is running a spring camp promo. Sign up here and join the discussion for just $10, which will cover the next four months.
Gators Twitter updates
- Florida football has announced its summer camp schedule, featuring nine dates with eight in June.
