The greatest Gators ever by number: Nos. 41-45

Who are the greatest Florida Gators football players ever by jersey number? Gators Online is taking a deep dive into UF history and offering our thoughts. Today, we look at Nos. 41 through 41. (NOTE: UF jersey records only go back to the early 1960s)

NO. 41: RYAN STAMPER, LB (2006-09)

Also considered: Ed Robinson, LB (1989-93)

Other notable: Steve Heidt, LB (1964-66); Keith Kelsey, LB (1995-99)

The skinny: This was a two-man battle between Robinson and Stamper. Robinson was a fine player in the early 1990s and a team captain for an SEC champ. But Stamper gets the nod because of his contributions to the special seasons of 2008 and ’09. He appeared in 41 games with 26 starts and was a team captain as both a junior and senior. Stamper recorded 148 total tackles (77 solo) and made 13.5 tackles for loss at UF. As a senior, he earned Second-Team All-SEC honors.

NO. 42: JEVON KEARSE, LB (1995-98)

Also considered: Darren Hambrick, LB (1993-94); Bam Hardmon, LB (1999-2002); Keanu Neal, S (2013-15)

Other notable: John Feiber, HB (1964-66); Johnny Gaffney, WR (1978-1981); Billy Latsko, FB (2003-06); James Massey, RB (1983-87)

The skinny: After Wilber Marshall, Kearse might have been one of the three or four most feared Gator defenders of all time. At times, he couldn’t be blocked. Kearse signed with Florida as a defensive back, but before long “the freak” found a permanent home as a pass rush specialist. As a senior, he was a second-team AP All-American when it seemed like he was held on practically every pay. That same season, he was one of three finalists for the Butkus Award and one of three finalists for the Bednarik National Defensive Player of the Year. A year later, Kearse was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

NO. 43: GLENN CAMERON, LB (1972-74) 

Also considered: Tommy Townsend, P (2018-19)

Other notable: Matt Farrior, LB (1999-2003); Warren Gaffney, DB (1976, 78); Arthur White, LB (1983-86)

The skinny: Part of the great Coral Gables pipeline to UF, Cameron was one of the Gators’ top players in the 1970s. He was a Third-Team All-American as a senior and First-Team All-SEC selection while leading a team that played in the Sugar Bowl and was ranked as high as No. 6. That season, he had an amazing 185 total tackles, the third best total in school history. Cameron went 14th overall in the 1975 NFL draft and had a nice career as a pro.

NO. 44: JAMES BATES, LB (1992-96)

Also considered: Richard Trapp, WR (1965-67)

Other notable: Fee Bartley, LB (1988-91); Leon Orr, DL (2011-13); Marcus Thomas, DT (2003-06); Willie Wilder, RB (1976-77)

The skinny: Although Bates was the pick, a strong argument could be made for Trapp, who was Steve Spurrier’s top target in 1966, the year he won the Heisman Trophy. Trapp was a sensational player and two-time First-Team All-SEC player. He once had 12 catches in a game and twice led the Gators in receiving. He also played in the NFL.

But we’re going with Bates by a hair. He was All-SEC First-Team as a senior and was the top tackler for the 1996 team that won the school’s first national title. Had Bates not been on the championship squad, Trappy probably edges him out.

NO. 45: CARLOS ALVAREZ, WR (1969-71)

Also considered: Andra Davis, LB (1997-2001); Pat Moorer, LB (1986-89)

Other notable: Leon Pennington, LB (1982-85)

The skinny: Picks don’t get much easier than this one — and that is no slight to the other players mentioned who wore No. 45. But Alvarez is an all-time iconic Gator.

He left Florida with 172 catches (in only three seasons), 88 of which came during his legendary sophomore year when he was a consensus All-American. Nicknamed “the Cuban Comet,” Alvarez could only be stopped by one thing — injuries. Also an honor student and activist during the Vietnam War, Alvarez won an NCAA Post-Graduate scholarship and became a lawyer.

All these years later, he still holds UF records for catches in a season, catches in a game (15) and receiving yardage (2,563).

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