Hail Florida Hail
Fansided

Florida Football: Michael Tarquin departure raises questions for Gators

By Benjamin Henderson

Florida offensive lineman Michael Tarquin (70) defends against Tennessee linebacker Tyler Baron (9) during a game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.Kns Tennessee Florida Football
Florida offensive lineman Michael Tarquin (70) defends against Tennessee linebacker Tyler Baron (9) during a game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.Kns Tennessee Florida Football /
facebooktwitterreddit

We said on Early Signing Day that no news was good news for Florida football. The Gators signed all of its committed recruits and picked up a linebacker from the transfer portal. Compared to schools like Miami, it was a preferable day.

Thursday was less preferable as Billy Napier and crew missed out on the remaining high-level recruiting targets they were aiming for and now have a massive hole to fill along the offensive line heading into 2023.

Florida Football: Transfer portal roulette continues

Most fans figured that the slew of transfers from the program was over, and we could begin to project out the depth chart for Florida football for 2023. Turns out there was one more transfer waiting in the wings as offensive tackle Michael Tarquin announced that he would be entering the transfer portal too.

His departure brings an array of questions including what changed now compared to a month ago when everyone else was departing. Tarquin was injured against Kentucky and Austin Barber came in and held down the fort. With Richard Gouraige departing for the NFL, it was assumed that Barber and Tarquin would be the two tackles for Florida in 2023.

There is speculation of a better NIL deal elsewhere, which is merely speculation at this point. But regardless of the reason, the Gators don’t have an immediate fill-in for an offensive tackle. Missing out on four-star prospect Samson “Pancake” Okunlola to Miami only heightens the mild level of panic most Gator fans are feeling right now.

There are a handful of offensive tackles Billy Napier can target in the transfer portal himself, including Alabama’s 6-6, 333-pound Damieon George. Florida football did sign three-star prospect Bryce Lovett on Wednesday, listed at 6-5, 330-pounds, but it wasn’t anticipated he would be a starter right away.

Tarquin’s departure is the first transfer of a projected starter under Billy Napier. And now the Gators are in scramble mode to find a replacement.

Keep up with all things Florida football with Hail Florida Hail.

Home/Florida Gators Football