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USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida football DL Caleb Banks named to Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List
Florida football DL Caleb Banks named to Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List Florida football defensive lineman Caleb Banks has been named to the 2024 Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List, an honor that recognizes the nation's top defensive player who excels both on and off the field. Banks, a redshirt senior from Detroit, Michigan, is one of 42 student-athletes nationwide selected by the Lott IMPACT Trophy Board of Directors for consideration. The award–named after Pro Football Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott–spotlights players who demonstrate Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. The Lott IMPACT Trophy winner will be announced in December during a nationally televised ceremony in Newport Beach, California. After transferring to the Florida Gators in 2023, Banks quickly became a force on the Gators' defensive line. In the 2024 season, he recorded 21 total tackles, including seven for loss and 4.5 sacks. Banks' disruptive presence up front earned him SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors following a dominant performance against the Ole Miss Rebels, where he notched 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He also forced and recovered a fumble in Florida's win over the LSU Tigers, finishing the game with a career-high 64 snaps and the top PFF grade of his season. Off the field, Banks is a two-time member of the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll, underscoring his commitment in the classroom. His leadership, both vocally and by example, has made him a foundational piece of the Gators' defensive identity entering the 2025 season. Originally from Southfield A&T High School in Michigan, Banks joined the Orange and Blue after two seasons with the Louisville Cardinals. He is expected to play a significant role for Florida's defensive front this fall as the Gators look to make some noise in the SEC. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
02-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Florida football LB RJ Moten earns NFL rookie minicamp invitation from Philadelphia
Former Florida football LB RJ Moten earns NFL rookie minicamp invitation from Philadelphia Florida football's senior linebacker did not hear his name called during the 2025 NFL draft, but RJ Moten still might make it into the professional ranks, thanks to an invitation to the Philadelphia Eagles' rookie minicamp. Moten is a legacy with the Gators through his dad, Ron Moten Sr., who played for the Gators from 1982-1986. Coincidentally — or not! — the elder was drafted in the sixth round by the same Eagles franchise, albeit almost 40 years ago. The younger Moten had already worked out with Philly during their local pro day before the draft. However, RJ was not always a linebacker. In fact, he arrived in Gainesville listed at safety following his first two collegiate seasons with the Michigan Wolverines. Then last season, he switched from the defensive backfield on the advice of defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong. "I have always wanted to play linebacker, actually," Moten said last October. "I think I knew going into the next level, I was definitely going to move to linebacker, but it was just one day where coach Armstrong was, like, 'You're getting too big.' I think it was a time in the winter, I was, like, 230 at one point. He was, like, 'Okay, we're not going to put you in the post anymore in the SEC.' It was like, 'How do you feel about moving to linebacker?' "I think that was just God's way of telling me, 'Look, this is your opportunity. Just go run with it.'" At that point, the paths of the father and son merged. Hopefully, the story plays out the same and the younger Moten makes it to the professional gridiron. RJ Moten's career stats with Florida football After transferring from Michigan after the 2022 season, Moten played in 18 games for the Gators, totalling 31 tackles (14 solo) — which includes four tackles for a loss and a half-sack — along with a pass defender, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry. He also made the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll for 2023-24, as well as the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll, en route to his bachelor's degree in sociology, which he completed in the fall term of 2024. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
