Coach Will Muschamp announced Tuesday that sophomores Gerald Christian and Robert Clark will transfer due to a lack of opportunities to get on the field.
“Both of these players have expressed a desire for more playing time and felt that it would be in their best interests to transfer,” Muschamp said in a statement. “We wish them both the best of luck and appreciate their contributions to the program.”
Christian, a tight end, started three games this season and has played the majority of snaps in UF’s two-tight end sets. He was listed No. 2 on the depth chart behind sophomore Jordan Reed.
The only other tight ends on the roster are senior William Steinmann and freshmen A.C. Leonard and Clay Burton. None of those players has caught a pass at Florida.
Christian has four receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown this year, including a 45-yard score against Kentucky. He had just a single 9-yard grab during the five games in which Reed was active.
Christian came to UF from Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer High, where Clark also graduated, as a four-star recruit and the No. 2 tight end in the country, according to Rivals.com.
As a freshman, Christian appeared in eight games but did not record a stat.
Florida’s coaching staff experimented with using him at linebacker during the spring but eventually returned him to tight end.
The 6-foot-3, 245-pound sophomore’s physical presence has been lauded by Muschamp and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis this season.
“I’m looking for an opportunity to play more,” Christian said in a statement. “I have no bad feelings about Florida or the coaching staff, I just want to get a fresh start and see the field more.”
After a freshman season in which he caught seven passes for 69 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown against Florida State, Clark was relegated mostly to special teams this year.
The wideout has appeared in each of Florida’s five Southeastern Conference games but does not have a reception this season.
His most noticeable appearance came against Auburn on Oct. 15, when he muffed a punt with 3:03 remaining and Florida trailing by eight.
The play was one of only two punt returns this season for Clark, who came to UF as a three-star recruit, according to Rivals.com.
“I’ve enjoyed being a part of the Gator program, but at the same time I’m excited about future opportunities to play more,” Clark said in a statement. “I will have nothing but good memories from my time in Gainesville.”
Quarterback shuffle: Weis said Tuesday that he is “cautiously optimistic” senior quarterback John Brantley will play Saturday against Georgia.
Brantley was able to do more in practice than Weis expected, but his ability to make it through the week without aggravating his ankle injury is not guaranteed.
Weis added that freshman Jacoby Brissett will start if Brantley is unable to play.
Brissett ranks “slightly ahead” of freshman Jeff Driskel based on their performances in games and practices.
“It’s a combination of Jacoby getting better and Jeff getting banged up,” Weis said. “I think that both of these young men have a very, very bright future.”
Contact Greg Luca at gluca@alligator.org.
Sophomore tight end Gerald Christian (32) and wide receiver Robert Clark are transferring from Florida due to a lack of playing time. The two were teammates at Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer High.
