Keon Zipperer suffers injury in practice, eyeing 2024 return

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — On Wednesday, Florida tight end Keon Zipperer shared some photos on Facebook from spring camp with the caption, “In that mode right now (rn)”. The following day, he posted an unfortunate update on his status.

“2024 shake back year…,” Keon Zipperer wrote.

The fifth-year senior suffered an apparent knee injury in practice Thursday, Gators Online has confirmed, although the severity is unknown at this point. However, based on Zipperer’s post, he expects to miss a considerable amount of time.

This is the second time in the last four months that Zipperer has revealed an injury on his Facebook account. Back in early November, Zipperer stated that he had suffered a season-ending injury and then deleted his post the same day.

Florida coach Billy Napier clarified Zipperer’s status later that week, revealing he would miss time after hurting his knee.

“I don’t know how that got blown up. That’s wild,” Napier said on Nov. 3 of Zipperer’s Facebook post. “Keon’s got a little bit of a knee, nothing long-term there. It’s pretty much to-be-determined based off of his rehab and recovery right now. We aren’t expecting him to be available this weekend, but long term no issue there.”

After making seven straight starts last season through the Florida-Georgia game, Zipperer did not play in the final five contests of 2022. He finished the year with 13 catches for 177 yards and a touchdown.

TE depth without Zipperer

Florida tight end Dante Zanders, who made four starts prior to Zipperer’s injury, started the last five games. He caught a total of 10 passes for 75 yards in the first meaningful action of his career.

This time a year ago, Zanders was making a position change in Napier’s first spring. After two seasons as a defensive end Zanders moved to tight end, where he initially played for his first two years at UF.

“You can immediately see where he’s got a future. I can’t compliment him enough. I mean, he’s been the story of the spring,” Napier said of Zanders last year. “We move him over from defense and the guy picked it up quickly. He did the extra. I saw him around the facility more than some of our coaches. He was in there, grinding away and he has ability.

“The guy is 6-5, weighs 260 pounds. He’s loose, he can transition, he’s got good ball skills. Most importantly, he’s smart and he’s consistent. The guy is heavy-handed at the point of attack. I mean, he’s a godsend. Not only did he make the move but that guy will be running out there. He’s going to make a lot of plays for us. Extremely pleased with Dante.”

With Zipperer out again, Zanders will likely resume his starting role at tight end. The Gators have five more scholarship players at the position in Jonathan Odom, Arlis Boardingham, Hayden Hansen, Tony Livingston and converted DL Andrew Savaiinaea.

Odom also saw more playing time after Zipperer was sidelined last year. He caught seven passes for 69 yards and two touchdowns before suffering a knee injury of his own in the Las Vegas Bowl. Odom has been out for all of spring camp as he recovers from surgery.