Three Gators Named Preseason All-Americans

Three Florida players were tabbed Preseason All-Americans in Phil Steele’s Preseason Awards that were released on Tuesday. Senior kicker Caleb Sturgis was the lone Florida player placed on the First Team list. Defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd was put on the Third Team while junior safety Matt Elam was put on the Fourth Team. Steele also placed ten Florida players on his Preseason All-SEC list.

Caleb Sturgis was a finalist for the 2011 Lou Groza Award after going 22-of-26 with a long of 55 yards. Sturgis was one of two kickers in FBS to make three field goals of 50-or-more yards. As a junior, he was third in the country in field goals made and in field goal makes per game (1.7).

Sharrif Floyd was sixth on the team with 46 tackles in 2011 despite missing the first two games of the season.

Matt Elam led the team with 11 tackles for a loss and was second on the team with 78 total tackles. He also led the team in pass break ups (7) and tied for the team lead in interceptions (2) as a sophomore in 2011.

The Florida defense was well represented on Steele’s Preseason All-SEC list. Floyd, Elam, linebacker Jelani Jenkins and linebacker Jon Bostic all were placed on the Second Team Preseason All-SEC list while defensive lineman Dominique Easley, who is recovering from a torn ACL in the offseason, was selected to the Fourth Team All-SEC.

Offensive tackle Xavier Nixon was selected to the Third Team as the highest offensive player on the All-SEC listed. Wide receiver Andre Debose, tight end Jordan Reed and offensive guard Jon Halapio were all selected to the Fourth Team All-SEC.

Sturgis was selected to the First Team as a specialist while Debose was chosen as the Third Team kickoff returner.