Gators will be down five receivers at FSU but expect a starter back
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Gators have a been down a starter at receiver in each of the last three games, but the position will be decimated by injuries on Friday at Florida State.
A total of five UF receivers have been ruled out against the Seminoles, including a pair of starters in Xzavier Henderson and Justin Shorter. Henderson will miss his second straight week, while Shorter is out again after missing the Texas A&M and South Carolina games and returning to action at Vanderbilt.
Ja’Quavion Fraziars, who started for Shorter at A&M, and Marcus Burke, who started for Henderson against Vandy, are both out as well, along with slot receiver Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman.
Starter Ricky Pearsall is also listed as questionable for the FSU game, but Gators coach Billy Napier expects to have him back.
“We’ve been in this situation in the past. If you think about it, Caleb Douglas has stepped up for us. Ja’Quavion Fraziars obviously had an opportunity. We anticipate Ricky being ready to go. Obviously, Dae Dae (Daejon Reynolds) had a huge week last week and is a guy we’ve been watching for a long time in practice,” Napier said. “It’s a great opportunity for those players. … Next guy up and certainly excited to watch some of these guys play.”
Douglas will receive his second start of the season in place of Shorter, while Reynolds makes his first-career start with Henderson out. Reynolds had a breakout performance against the Commodores, hauling in eight receptions for 165 yards and two touchdowns, including a 74-yard score.
Ja’Markis Weston is listed as his backup and Jordan Pouncey is No. 2 behind Douglas. If Pearsall can’t go in Tallahassee, the next man up in the slot will be walk-on receiver Kahleil Jackson.
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“I think all those guys listed in the depth there have worked this week. You know, we’ve had a chance to see them. There’s no question they’re very capable,” Napier said. “The way we practice, all the players on our team get multiple opportunities throughout the OTAs in the summer, training camp. It helps you build depth on your team so you can survive some of these situations.
“But, you know, personnel-wise we have played a little bit more 11 as of late because of the tight end injuries. So, we’ll just have less of a rotation (at receiver) to some degree if that makes sense. And we’re talking about 65, 70, 75 plays a game here, and we’ll roll those players and play those players as we see fit.”
Florida tight end Keon Zipperer is still listed as questionable against FSU after missing the last three games. With so many receivers sidelined Friday, expect the Gators to lean on their rushing offense, which ranks No. 15 nationally and third in the SEC at 209.3 yards per game.
It should be noted, however, that UF’s ground attack had its worst outing of the season last Saturday at Vanderbilt, rushing for a season-low 45 yards on 21 carries.
“I think you do what you think is required to win the game, much like every week. Take what you’ve got and put your plan together, and you go to the park and you cut it loose,” Napier said. “This is nothing new. It’s just been different parts of our team different weeks of the season. It is what it is. Those guys will be ready to play.”
