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Turning heads: Gators teammates sound off on top performers

On Monday, the Florida players who met with the media were all smiles. There was plenty of praise to go around after the thrilling 26-20 win over Tennessee, but three teammates were especially popular after their standout performances.

Kadarius Toney
Kadarius Toney (USATSI (Kim Klement))
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* McElwain Notebook: Hostile Environment Helped

* McElwain Press Conference Blog

* Sunday 3-2-1

* The Day After Breakdown

* Notebook: Thrilling ending to a must win game

* Cleveland: "Give me a chance."

* Uncensored Sound Off

* GET TWO MONTHS OF FREE ACCESS TO INSIDE THE GATORS

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KADARIUS TONEY HAS IMPRESSED FROM THE GET-GO

The backstory:

The freshman athlete turned heads when he juked his way into a 19-yard gain on a short pass. On an offense in need of playmakers, Toney is expected to become even more involved in the coming weeks. Against Tennessee, Toney had four catches for 40 yards along with a five-yard run from the quarterback position.

What they said:

“He’s slippery, people slip and slide on the field. He brings excitement to the game. So I know when he gets the ball it’s just a nail-biter every time he gets it.

“The first time I realized it, I’ll never forget it. We had our scrimmage toward the last of (camp). He caught a crosser on the field and I didn’t think he had seen me, so I’m coming with a full head of steam. He like stopped on a dime and ducked his head like he did in the game, same move. So if I catch him again, I know it’s coming now. That’s when he got me. I’m like, ‘OK, this kid, he might be something special.’” – sophomore linebacker David Reese

"The sky is the limit for him. As he came in during the summer, I knew right then he was going to be a big part of our offense, whatever position he plays. I feel like he's coming along very fast and being able to come in to the wide receiver room and make plays and help us out has been good." – sophomore wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland

"Kadarius Toney is a great weapon. He's helping the offense a lot by transitioning from quarterback to receiver. He's helping out at receiver a lot, so he's a great weapon for us." - sophomore right tackle Jawaan Taylor

LEANER, FASTER JACHAI POLITE SHOWING OFF ATHLETICISM

The backstory:

The sophomore defensive end from Daytona Beach, Fla. has come on strong this fall and made one of the most talked-about plays in the Tennessee game. Early in the fourth quarter, the Vols had the ball on their own 40-yard line. Polite can be seen biting on a fake hand-off around the 35-yard line. Once he saw that the ball had been thrown to UT running back John Kelly on a screen pass, Polite chased after Kelly and helped make the tackle on the Florida 31-yard line. Polite finished with five tackles and was a co-leader in quarterback hurries (2).

What they said:

“Jachai turned into a beast from last year. I’d say he probably lost like, I’d say 20 pounds of probably just fat and stuff. Like he just got down and lean, so Jachai like way faster than I’ve ever seen him. Like, he got that motor now.” sophomore linebacker Vosean Joseph

"Jachai's got a lot better since last year. He's growing and he's way faster, quicker off the ball. He's just a workhorse. In practice he works hard every day. He never gives up on a play. So Jachai's got a lot better." – Taylor

“First of all, Jachai Polite last year, he was the same type of guy. I’m not going to lie to you. He was always a great guy, we just had so many ahead of him, so he didn’t get as many reps. This year he’s showing what he can do. He played tight end in high school and has the athleticism that everybody is seeing.” – Reese

FRANKS HAVING MORE FUN, SHOWING MORE CONFIDENCE  

The backstory:

As an early enrollee in the 2016 class, Franks has been on UF campus and part of the football team for approximately 20 months. Players have noticed big changes in how he handles himself as a teammate and leader.

What they said:

"It's crazy. Coming in last year, there was a lot on him to step in from high school and automatically he had to come into college and play quarterback and led the team. I feel like this past summer he took a big part in just learning the offense and building chemistry with his teammates and working hard and not letting anything get into his mind and not letting the outside people bring him down. I feel like Feleipe did a pretty good job in summer, spring and now. He's just got to keep working and he's going to be all right.

“To me, (Franks) really didn't talk that much (as a freshman). Now he's talking, having fun, goofing around. I feel like his confidence is very high right now. Being more mature as a football player and a person." – Cleveland

"Oh, his confidence has grown tremendously since he first got here. He's got a lot better with his confidence, even in practice he's way more confident. So he's got a lot better. Being a vocal leader, just talking to the receivers, talking to the offensive line just making sure we're staying up, just being more vocal." – Taylor

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