7 Days to Gator Football – #7 Danny Wuerffel (’92-’96)

Daniel Carl Wuerffel was born in my favorite city, Pensacola, Florida, as the son of a minister and Air Force chaplain. At Fort Walton Beach High School, he won the Florida 4A state championship right there at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium over the highly touted, perennial power St. Thomas Aquinas. As quarterback for the Florida Gators under Steve Spurrier, Danny become one of the most highly decorated players in Gator history. He won the 1996 Heisman Trophy, the 1996 Bowl Alliance National Championship, four consecutive SEC titles from 1993 to 1996, the Draddy Trophy, 1st-team Academic All-American ’95 and ’96, 1st-team All-American ’95, consensus All-American ’96, Sammy Baugh Trophy winner ’95, Davey O’Brien Award winner ’95 and ’96, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Award winner ’96, NCAA Quarterback of the Year ’96, team MVP ’95 and ’96, Gainesville Sun’s UF Team of the Century ’99, and Florida Gator’s 100th Anniversary Team ’06. He finished his career 708/1,170 for 10,875 yards, 114 touchdown passes, 163.56 passer rating, and 9.74 touchdown percentage. Most of those stats were SEC or NCAA records at one time. Danny was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Association Hall of Fame as a Gator Great in 2006.

Danny Wuerffel High School Championship

Year	Comp	Att	Comp %	Passing	TD	INT
1993	159	273	58.2	2230	22	10
1994	132	212	62.3	1754	18	9
1995	210	325	64.6	3266	35	10
1996	207	360	57.5	3625	39	13

70 Days to Gator Football

Image via Wikipedia

70 – Cooper Carlisle, T (1995-99)

Cooper Morrison Carlisle of Greenville, Mississippi, was a tackle on Steve Spurrier‘s Florida Gators from 1995 to 1999. Although he was redshirted his freshman season in 1995, Carlisle did a great job protecting Danny Wuerffel’s blindside during the 1996 national championship season. He must have done something right, because Danny won Florida a national championship and a Heisman Trophy. He was team captain his senior season, and first team All-American. Cooper was on the SEC Academic Honor Roll all four years, and earned his bachelor’s degree in 1999 before heading off to the NFL.

79 Days to Gator Football

#79 – Mo Collins, T (1994-97)

According to Wikipedia and The Google, Mo Collins is an American actress and comedienne, most notably from MADtv. Alas, I am not referring to THAT Mo Collins–I am referring to the Damon Jamal “Mo” Collins born in Charlotte, North Carolina and who played offensive tackle and guard under Steve Spurrier from 1994 to 1997.  Why did I choose this player to highlight 79 days out? Well, if you have been following along, he is the most prominent Gator player I could find wearing the number 79 jersey. Other than that, there is not much else to say about Big Mo. He played football for the Gators, and nobody else wearing the number 79 did anything worthy of the Cubicle Warrior Blog. He guarded Danny Wuerffel and he tackled people. Go Gators! 79 more days until Gator football!

84 Days Until Florida Gator Football

#84 – Ben Troupe, TE (2000-03)

Benjamin LaShaun Troupe of Swainsboro, Georgia, played tight end under Steve Spurrier and Ron Zook from 2000 to 2003. Ben was one of the few tight ends that shined under Spurrier or Zook, having 64 catches for 958 years and 7 touchdowns. He was first-team All-SEC and first-team All-American in his senior season.

92 Days Until Florida Gator Football

#92 – Reggie McGrew, DT (1995-98)

Reginald Gerard “Reggie” McGrew of Mayo, Florida, the same town that gave us Kerwin “the Throwin’ Mayoan” Bell, played under Steve Spurrier from 1996 to 1998. He was part of the exciting 1996 team drubbed rival Florida State 52-20 to avenge their earlier 21-24 loss. Reggie was named an All-American his freshman year, and All-SEC his junior year.

98 Days Until Florida Gator Football

#98 – Godfrey Myles, LB/S (1988-91)

Godfrey Myles, from Miami, Florida, played linebacker and strong safety for Galen Hall and Steve Spurrier from 1988 to 1991. He was an honorable mention as All-American at linebacker in 1989, team captain and All-SEC as safety in 1990.