A Florida Gator legend and Gainesville native, receiver Chris Doering, has been officially recognized as an SEC great, being named to the SEC Legends Class Thursday.
Doering dressed in orange and blue from 1992 to 1995, putting on a show for fans in Gainesville every week. Beginning his college career as a preferred walk-on, Doering fought for every rep, every catch, and every look from coach Steve Spurrier.
“I always felt I was less than because I was a walk-on,” Doering said on the BLEAV in Florida Gators podcast.
Chris Doering named an SEC Legend
What he hadn’t realized then was that, while trying to earn his spot on Spurrier’s team, he would find self-belief that guided him for the rest of his life. He also learned the art of never being complacent, which helped him reach heights even the best Florida receivers have yet to reach.
“Because of that path and the chip on my shoulder, it kept me from finding complacency,” Doering said. “That’s why I think my best season was probably my senior year.”
In 1995, Doering exploded on the stat sheet in every category; his yards increased by 549 yards, from 496 his junior year to 1,045 his senior year, and his 17 touchdowns broke the then-Florida record for touchdowns in a season.
He caught a career-high 70 passes, and whether Heisman Trophy contender quarterback Danny Wuerffel or Eric Kresser threw the ball, defenders still struggled to keep him from scoring.
Doering finished the season earning first-team All-SEC and second-team All-America honors as a receiver. By his last game, he held Florida’s career receiving-touchdown record with 31, a record that still stands today.
He entered the draft after his senior year, and the Jacksonville Jaguars selected him in the sixth round (185th overall) of the 1996 NFL Draft.
Although he never suited up for the Jaguars in the regular season, he went on to play six years in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers.
He now serves as a college analyst for SEC Nation, though he never forgets where he came from.
“I’ve described Florida Football as the love of my life,” Doering said. “It has had such a thread throughout my childhood and my playing days.”
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