Darrin Kitchens - 6-2, 229
Sophomore - #49 - Homestead
2011
11 - games
9 - unassisted tackles
12 - assisted tackles
21 - total tackles
2.5 - tackles for a loss of 12 yards
It never hurts when you are developing a linebacker who's 6-2, 229 and ran a 10.9 100-meter dash in high school. Darrin Kitchen's is such a linebacker, he has the size and can run like hell.
Now he's beginning to make a name for himself.
Kitchens 12 total tackles against Furman (5 unassisted and 7 assists) is very impressive he increased his total season tackles by over 100% in one game going from 9-to-21. He's tied for 16th on the team in total tackles with Loucheiz Purifoy, Purifoy has no other stats like tackles for a loss or INTs at this time.
Furman's surprise offensive may have helped out a bit they broke a lot of plays past our line of scrimmage.
Putting it into perspective Laurentee McCray has 23 tackles on the season, Matt Elam is second in tackles with 64, Josh Evans is 5th on the team with 44, Ronald Powell has 25!!! This game ran Kitchens total up to 21.
Jon Bostic is the clear leader with 81 total tackles, six tackles for a loss, three sacks, two passes broken up and one forced fumble.
Many people call for Coach DJ Durkin to be fired, he's done nothing this year but develop a good second tier of linebackers (Micheal Taylor 32 total tackles) along with McCray who came from no where and is now a guy Gator fans can't wait to get healthy.
Durkin is doing his job, depth at this position looks really good next year. So good a safe bet would be they have a good rotation next fall to keep the front line players fresh and healthy.
You have to love it when a player has a game that puts him on the map, this one did for Kitchens.
Note - Kitchens has five total tackles in conference games. Two quick points here, the running clock made the game shorter more like an NFL game. With more of an NFL staff they'll go with front line players most of the game giving backups like Kitchens few opportunities to prove themselves, this is what the Furman game may have done if coaches aren't too hard headed.
Darrin Kitchens Bio from Gator Zone...
CAREER: Appeared in 10 games as a freshman and was a member of the kickoff coverage unit as well as a reserve linebacker.
2010: Saw action on the kickoff team in every game except for the season opener vs. Miami University, USF and vs. Appalachian State…Recorded his first career tackle at Vanderbilt.
PRIOR TO FLORIDA: A three-star prospect who was rated the No. 41 outside linebacker in the nation to Scout.com ... Recorded 48 solo tackles, 18 sacks and 24 tackles-for-loss in 2008 ... Has been timed at 10.9 in the 100 meters and 22.1 in the 200 meters and also recorded a long jump of 22’11” in track ... Chose Florida over Florida State and Michigan ... Coached by Bobby McCray.
MAJOR: Social and Behavioral Sciences
KITCHENS’ CAREER HIGHS
Tackles: 1 (2x-last vs. Penn State, 2011 Outback Bowl)
