David Little - 1977, 78, 79, 80 - OK he played LB but had to mention Florida's all time leader in career total tackles with 475. Whew, that's a bunch. His career was magnificent, the four-year starter had 9 forced fumbles, 7 fumble recoveries, 7 INTs and 1 sack!
Tragically David Little died on March 17, 2005 as the result of a weight-lifting accident. He was just 46 years old and suffered from heart disease. He experienced a cardiac flutter while lifting weights at his Miami home; he dropped 250 pounds of weights on his chest, which rolled onto his neck and suffocated him. Brother of All-Pro offensive guard Larry Little of the Miami Dolphins.
Some of Florida's best players are listed below, Marcus Thomas is the only true freshmen of those mentioned to have his best season in his first year.
(Tim Newton above, a great nose guard. He was 6-2, 275 and ran sideline to sideline, great quickness for his girth.)
So when someone says Ronald Powell could come in and play right away you just have to look at someone like Marcus Thomas or Tim Newton (*who played first half of true freshman season at LB). Marcus Thomas played his best season as a redshirt-freshman. For many it took a year or two to get their train going. Had no idea Wilbur Marshall was so dominant, he was more of an OLB so it isn't fair to all these other DEs, DTs, and NGs.
In the second column if there is a 'R' the player redshirted. It's pretty clear there isn't a formula for when someone can step on the field in the SEC and play well in the defensive line. It usually takes a little time. TT-total tackles...
| Name | RS | Years played | TT | TT | TT | TT |
| Tim Newton* | - | 1981, 82, 83, 84 | 46 | 54 | 79 | 77 |
| Huey Richardson | - | 1987, 88, 89, 90 | 26 | 68 | 79 | 58 |
| Brad Culpepper | R | 1988, 89, 90, 91 | 25 | 60 | 64 | 82 |
| Ellis Johnson | - | 1991, 92, 93, 94 | 16 | 32 | 55 | 62 |
| Kevin Carter | - | 1981, 82, 83, 84 | 14 | 64 | 59 | 66 |
| Reggie McGrew | R | 1996, 97, 98 | 39 | 26 | 41 | - |
| Gerard Warren | R | 1998, 99, 00 | 27 | 52 | 76 | - |
| Marcus Thomas | - | 2003, 04, 05, 06 | 47 | 39 | 45 | - |
| Ray McDonald | R | 2003, 04, 05, 06 | 54 | 39 | 8 | 36 |
| Lawrence Marsh | R | 2007, 08, 09 | 5 | 28 | 8 | - |
| Wilbur Marshall | - | 1980, 81, 82, 83 | 0 | 121 | 123 | 95 |
| David Little | - | 1977, 78,79, 80 | 67 | 138 | 109 | 161 |
Defensive Stats for 2010 Gator Defensive Linemen
| Name | Yr | Pos | Career TT-TL-S | 2009 TT-TL-S | Comment |
| Justin Trattou | Sr | DE | 64-15-7 | 17-4.5-2 | 1FF, 1Fr, 3Pd, 2INT |
| William Green | Jr | DE | 19-5-1 | 12-3-0 | None |
| Ronald Powell | Fr | DE | - | - | May start early |
| Duke Lemmens | Sr | DE | 23-3-2 | 10-0-0 | 1FF |
| Earl Okine | RSo | DE | 2-0-0 | 2-0-0 | - |
| Lerentee McCray | RSo | DE | 10-0-0 | 5-0-0 | 09 to DE, 3 games played |
| Kendrick Johnson | RFr | DE | - | - | - |
| Lynden Trail | Fr | DE | - | - | - |
| Lawrence Marsh | RSr | NT | 41-7.5-4 | 8-.5-.5 | Injuried 2009 |
| Brandon Antwine | RSr | NT | 17-1.5-0 | 3-1-0 | 1 PD |
| Omar Hunter | RSo | NT | 17-2-0 | 17-2-0 | 11 Starts |
| Terron Sanders | RSr | DT | 44-7-0 | 19-2-0 | 1 FR 1 PD |
| Jaye Howard | RJr | DT | 37-5.5-3 | 29-3-1.5 | 1 FR |
| Leon Orr | Fr | DT | - | - | - |
| Dominique Easley | Fr | DT | - | - | - |
| Sharrif Floyd | Fr | DT | - | - | - |
It's easy to conclude there aren't any Kevin Carter, Brad Culpepper, Ellis Johnson types returning with any experience. Florida had the best DL recruiting class in the nation, it really isn't a stretch to think if some of those guys are going to be great they'll probably play a lot as true freshman, if they don't play early give them a chance, it's normal to take a year at the strength/speed positions.
Brad Culpepper (above) - 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991- A serious staph infection in the summer caused him to lose too much weight so he was redshirted. He backed up Jeff Roth and played a lot. Starter his redshirt sophomore season; 60 tackles, 40 solo, 3.5 QBS for -21 yards, 5 TFL 14 yards, 1 PBU, 2 CF, and 1 FR.
Reggie McGrew - 1996, 97, 98 - Was redshirted. His redshirt freshman season he made Sporting News All-American, started 10 of 12 games, played in all 12. 39 tackles second best among UF defensive linemen in '96, 14 "Big Plays" 8 FH, 1 FR, 1 PD and 4 TTFL.
Huey Richardson - 1987, 88, 89, 90 - Wasn't redshirted. Was a back up his freshman season, was actually called an outside linebacker. Made Honorable Mention All-American his sophomore season, was more or less a stand up defensive end.
Kevin Carter - 1991, 92, 93, 94 - Wasn't redshirted. Freshman season he played in 11 games and started two. 261 downs played 14 tackles. Sophomore season was AP Second Team All-SEC, Honorable All-American Football News, 64 tackles, 38 solo, 12 forced QB hurries, 3.5 QBS -53 yards, 6 TBL -24.
Ellis Johnson - 1991, 92, 93, 94 - Wasn't redshirted. Named to Knoxville News SEC All-Freshman team. Played in 10 games all but Alabama. 157 snaps, 16 tackles, 10 solo, 1 TBL -1 yard. Sophomore season 32 tackles, 22 solo, 3 QBS -23 yards, 3 TBL -7 yards, 2 pass deflections, 5 forced QB hurries.
Gerard Warren - 1998, 99, 00 - Freshman played in three games for 63 plays injured knee and received medical redshirt. Redshirt Freshman season. Played in 10 of 11 games all but Vanderbilt due to a foot injury. Started one game vs FSU also started the Orange Bowl game. 27 tackles, 11 "Big Plays" 4 TTFL -18 yards, 1 FR, 1 PD, and 5 FH. Sophomore season Coaches' and AP All-SEC Second Team. Played in 10 of 12 games missing first two due to suspension. Was in on 683 plays, 52 tackles and 35 "Big Plays", averaged 3.5 "Big Plays" per game ranked second on the team. 11 TBL -35 yards. 2 QB sacks -13 yards, 19 FH, 3 PD for the season. (Warren is pictured to the left)
Tim Newton - 1981, 82, 83, 84 - Reported to camp 230 pounds, *played LB and was moved to DT midway through the season. 46 tackles, 26 solo, 1 TFL, 3 QBS. Sophomore season. One of only three players to start every game on defense (Wilbur Marshall and Randy Clark), started at Left DT, one start at Right DT, five starts at NG. Fifth on team in tackles 54, 32 solo, 11 TFL, 2 PBU, and 2 QBS for a loss of 22 yards.
Wilber Marshall (above) - 1980, 81, 82, 83 - Freshman season Marshall played TE. Sophomore season reported by media guide in 1981 Marshall was 6-1, 230, and ran a 4.58 forty with a VL of 33". 121 stops, 4 caused fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, tackled QB for safety vs Kentucky. Florida's player of the year in high school in 1979. All state three years in a row, All everything at Titusville Astronaut, same high school that sent Chris Collinsworth to Florida. Marshall had 339 tackles. OK he was an OLB but just had to put the dude in here...
Ray McDonald (above) - 2003, 04, 05, 06 - Was redshirted. Redshirt Freshman season he moved inside to DT from DE during the preseason and won the starting job, starting all 12 games except FSU saw action in 711 plays. Was only the forth defensive lineman in school history to start the season opener (Reggie McGrew in 1996, Mark Campbell in 1992 and Phillip Johnson in 1989). Tied for fifth in the nation with tackles for a loss (8) by a freshman and sixth in the nation for sacks (4) by a freshman. 54 tackles 34 solo, 8 TBL, 4 QBS, 2 FF, 2 PD. Sophomore season saw action in 11 games, started 7, logging 572 plays. 39 tackles 26 solo, 10 TBL, 3 QBS, 1 FR.
Marcus Thomas - 2003, 04, 05, 06 - Wasn't redshirted. Freshman season worked his way into the rotation, saw action in 12 games. Became the first true freshman to start on the defensive line since 1992, when Johnnie Church and David Barnard started for the Gators. 47 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, saw action in 358 plays third highest among UF DTs. Sophomore season started all 12 games, 644 snaps, 39 tackles 28 solo, 4.5 sacks tied for the team lead, 7.5 TBL.
Sorry don’t have records on some of the older players like Jack Youngblood - 1968, 69, 70.
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