Seven Gators Named To Coaches All-SEC Team
November 17, 2012; Gainesville FL, USA; Florida Gators linebacker Jon Bostic (1) points during the second half against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Jacksonville State Gamecocks 23-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The honors keep on piling up for the 11-1 Florida Gators.
The SEC announced today this season’s All-SEC team as voted on by the league’s coaches. Five Florida Gators were chosen to the first team, second only to Alabama’s six, two were named to the second team.
Running back Mike Gillislee, defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd, safety Matt Elam, placekicker Caleb Sturgis, and punter Kyle Christy all were named to the first team. Tight end Jordan Reed and linebacker Jon Bostic were both chosen to the second team.
Senior Mike Gillislee finished fourth in the conference in rushing with 1,104 yards, the Gators first 1,000 yard rusher since Ciatrick Fason in 2004. He was, however, likely the most valuable running back in the conference in terms of contribution to his teams success. With a sophomore quarterback in his first year starting with a new offensive coordinator and little receiving threats on the team to speak of, Gillislee was a marked man all season. He rarely was tackled for loss, rarely stopped by the first defender, and rarely stopped by one defender. When he wasn’t breaking tackles and moving piles he was drawing the defense down to open up quarterback Jeff Driskel on the edge allowing the Gators to use his running skills.
Juniors Sharrif Floyd and Matt Elam led a Gator defense which finished fifth in the nation in total defense, first in passing efficiency, sixth in rushing defense, and fifth in turnover margin. Floyd and Elam finished first and second on the team in tackles for loss with 11 and 10 respectively and second and fifth in total tackles with 62 and 41.
Senior placekicker Caleb Sturgis, a finalist for the Lou Groza Award, finished third in the nation in made field goals with 23 setting a Gators career record with 69. His three field goals from over 50 yards also helped him set a school record with 8 in his career. Out of his five missed kicks on the season, four field goals and one extra point, four were blocked.
Kyle Christy, a sophomore, a finalist for the Ray Guy Award finished sixth in the nation in punting average with a 46.1 yard per punt average. Christy may have been the MVP of the team this season consistently flipping field position with his booming punts or ability to drop punts inside the twenty. He and the punt coverage unit helped the Gators to finish 7th in the nation in net punting average.
Junior tight end Jordan Reed was the Gator’s leading receiver this season with 44 for 552 yards and three touchdowns. On a team that struggled in the passing game with a first year starting quarterback, a new offensive coordinator, and little downfield receiving threats, Reed became the go-to guy for Jeff Driskel. His big play against Louisiana put the Gators in position to tie the game setting up a final second punt block and return for a touchdown which won the game for the Gators. He almost single handedly took the Gators to victory over rival Georgia when Jarvis Jones made the play of the season for them punching the ball out of Reed ‘s hands as he was approaching the end zone.
Finally, Jon Bostic was the unquestioned leader of the Gator defense as the middle linebacker making plays sideline to sideline, making big stops in the run game, covering tight ends and slot receivers like a cornerback, making interceptions, and blitzing in pass situations. Bostic was third on the team in tackles with 62, two interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and three sacks. He also added two pass breakups, and four quarterback hurries.
See the complete team here.