Florida football: Do not sleep on wide receiver Trent Whittemore

The Florida Gators have a solid wide receiver room, highlighted by former five-star Penn State transfer Justin Shorter and former four-star receiver Jacob Copeland. Shorter has a chance to be the No. 1 receiver for Florida, but I expect Copeland could also be the guy in 2021. However, one receiver flying under the radar from Florida football fans is Trent Whittemore.

While both Shorter and Copeland deserve the hype they are getting, Whittemore is a sneaky No. 3 option for the Gators. Whittemore was a three-star recruit out of high school and the No. 794 ranked player in the 2019 recruiting class according to 247 Sports.

The 6-4, 213-pound redshirt sophomore is a hometown hero, playing his high school football at F. W. Buchholz High School in Gainesville, Florida. That factoid alone is reason to love the thought of him become an essential piece for the Gators.

Then you add that, according to the Gators’ website, Whittemore’s “Mother, grandfather and great grandfather all attended UF.” Also, “His mother, Missy, played volleyball for UF from 1992-95, earning All-Southeastern Conference honors in 1993, 1994 and 1995,” and you can see how cool it would be to see Whittemore thrive for Florida.

Florida football fans should get to know Whittemore.

Whittemore redshirted his freshman year in 2019, but he played in seven games last season. In 2020, Whittemore had 10 receptions for 128 yards and one score. His lone touchdown was a nice end zone grab against South Carolina.

Florida football fans may also remember Whittemore’s highlight-reel grab against South Carolina in the 1st quarter.

Whittemore went up between two defenders and made an unbelievable catch.

Both of his two biggest plays came with Whittemore playing in the slot, which seems like the likely spot for him to make an impact for the Gators. Quarterback Emory Jones should have a big year for Florida in 2021, but having a security blanket like Whittemore could help take the Gators’ offense over the top.

Florida has been known to always have a great defense, but head coach Dan Mullen has been showing that Florida can have an elite offense too. Unfortunately, the Gators’ offense lost many key players to the 2021 NFL Draft, but they should be just fine again this season.

He may not be the big name people are talking about for Florida’s offense, but do not sleep on Trent Whittemore this season.