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Florida Gators: Offensive Players Who Need To Step Up In Outback Bowl

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 19, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Austin Appleby (12) hands off to running back Jordan Scarlett (25) during the game against the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium. The Gators defeat the Tigers 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Austin Appleby (12) hands off to running back Jordan Scarlett (25) during the game against the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium. The Gators defeat the Tigers 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 15, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland (89) carries the ball to score touchdown in front of Missouri Tigers linebacker Donavin Newsom (25) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The Gators won 40-14. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland (89) carries the ball to score touchdown in front of Missouri Tigers linebacker Donavin Newsom (25) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The Gators won 40-14. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Tyrie Cleveland

Position: Wide Receiver
Class: Freshman
2016 Season Statistics: 13 REC, 282 YDS, 2 TD

The Florida Gators football team may have a future star on its hands with freshman wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland. There are still areas in which he must improve, but Cleveland is a big play waiting to happen.

Though he only has 13 receptions in 2016, Cleveland is averaging an insane 21.7 yards per catch—a number that he may need to replicate against the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Cleveland’s average of 21.7 yards per reception is clearly influenced by the 98-yard touchdown he scored against the LSU Tigers. Even if you subtract that score, however, he’s still averaging 15.3 yards per reception.

The bottom line is that, when Cleveland touches the ball, big yardage is usually gained—something of extreme importance for an offense that struggles to move the chains on a consistent basis.

Cleveland had a 36-yard reception against Tennessee, a 46-yard catch against Missouri, and the previously alluded to 98-yard haul against LSU. He doesn’t need to go off for 100-plus yards against Iowa, but Florida will need another big play.

If Austin Appleby and the Gators continue to struggle to move the chains, then it’s players like Cleveland who will define this game with their big play ability.

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