Trevor Etienne is one of 10 former Gators on Florida's schedule
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Once upon a time, the Florida Gators and other teams rarely found themselves competing against their former players. Coaches could block outgoing transfers from landing at in-state or conference schools, but those days are long gone with the portal and no limitations for student-athletes.
More than two decades ago, UF played ex-quarterback Brock Berlin in 2003 after he transferred to Miami and sat out a year due to NCAA transfer rules at the time. Now, schools facing former players happens regularly in college athletics — even at rival schools.
Florida has already crossed paths with a half dozen ex-Gators this season and will see another one on Saturday in running back Trevor Etienne, who now plays for Georgia. UF’s Billy Napier was asked Monday about the emotions of having to coach against Etienne.
“Well, it’s become the norm of college football,” Napier said. “It’s already happened a handful of times this year that we played against players on the other side that were on our team in the past.
“Look, feels like there is a story each week about scenarios like that. It wasn’t the first and won’t be the last, unfortunately.”
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RELATED: Florida faces former Gators RB Trevor Etienne, now with Georgia
Later this year, the Gators will also play a former starter on another rival team — offensive lineman Richie Leonard IV — at Florida State as well as Ole Miss EDGE Princely Umanmielen, Florida’s defensive MVP in 2023.
Here’s a rundown of the 10 former players on Florida’s schedule this fall.
Former Gators that Florida faces in 2024
Texas A&M
LB Scooby Williams (2021-23)
DB Jaydon Hill (2019-23)
UCF
WR Trent Whittemore (2019-22)
LB Jesiah Pierre (2019-20)
Kentucky
OL Jalen Farmer (2022-23)
OL Gerald Mincey (2020-21)
Georgia
RB Trevor Etienne (2022-23)
LSU
DL Jalen Lee (2020-22)
Ole Miss
EDGE Princely Umanmielen (2020-23)
Florida State
OL Richie Leonard IV (2020-23)
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