Austin Barber among four Gators no longer listed as questionable vs. Tennessee.
Florida’s updated availability report, released Friday at approximately 8:10 p.m. ET, revealed the Gators are expected to have four of five players initially listed as “questionable”, including its starting left tackle, Austin Barber, available for Saturday’s 7 p.m. ET contest against No. 8-ranked Tennessee.
The lone player listed as questionable who has now been ruled out Saturday is safety Asa Turner, who suffered an undisclosed injury during UF’s season-opener against Miami.
Along with Barber, the Gators removed safeties Bryce Thornton and DJ Douglas, along with defensive lineman Joey Slackman, from the availability report, indicating they’re cleared to take the field against the Volunteers.
Barber did not practice Wednesday, according to a source familiar with the development, which initially was believed to indicate he would be unable to compete against the Volunteers, considering Florida coach Billy Napier has said repeatedly throughout his tenure that players who do not participate in Wednesday practices are doubtful to appear on Saturday.
Throughout his fourth season at Florida, Barber has ranked among Florida’s best offensive linemen this season, anchoring the blindside of a line which has otherwise struggled outside of center Jake Slaughter.
Along with his impressive play as a blocker and pass protector, Barber recorded a rushing touchdown in UF’s victory at Mississippi State after falling on the ball in the end zone when freshman quarterback DJ Lagway fumbled at the goal line.
“My coach always tells us to chase the ball, you see the ball get on the ball, and then, we rep it a lot so we just, I saw it on the ground and did my best to just get on it as fast as I can,” Barber said
In addition to the expected return of Barber, the Gators will get healthier in the third level of its defense, with redshirt senior DJ Douglas and Bryce Thornton expected to return.
Douglas recorded a pair of tackles in UF’s 24-13 win over UCF, while Thornton effectively sealed Florida’s victory with a late interception, his first-ever pick in Gainesville.
“Bryce has had a good couple of weeks I think obviously earned the opportunity to start, played a lot as a true freshman last year, I think just all three levels of the defense played better,” UF head coach Billy Napier said of Thornton after Florida’s win over UCF. “I’ll watch the tape and let you know what I think, but I think it’s evident that we took a step in the right direction on defense.
After undergoing arthroscopic surgery on the meniscus in his left knee in mid-September, graduate transfer defensive lineman Joey Slackman appears set to make his return to the field. Slackman was initially injured in fall camp and attempted to compete through his ailment before ultimately opting to undergo a procedure to repair his ailment. During his first two contests with UF, Slackman recorded a pair of tackles, though his production was presumably hindered by his injury.
The Gators are set to face Tennessee at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday night in Knoxville.
“Tennessee has a really good football team,” Napier said Monday. “I think all three parts of their team present challenges. I have a ton of respect for how they play, the tempo on offense, but the physicality of the run game paired with the explosive plays and vertical plays and perimeter concepts can be very challenging. I think defensively they continue to get better. We played them each year since we’ve been here. I do think they’ve done a really good job on this side of the ball. Personnel and fundamentals, you know, statistically if you look at the numbers there, they’re at the top of our league in most categories. I do think they do a nice job in the kicking game. It’s evident they play really hard and sound in what they do and have been very productive. Going to play in Knoxville against a team that in my opinion has a ton of capability and certainly has been impressive so far this year. I know theybeen very productive. Going to play in Knoxville against a team that in my opinion has a ton of capability and certainly has been impressive so far this year. I know they struggled a little bit last week, but in our league right now, heck, each week is like an NFL game. It’s coming down to the last seconds. We’ve got respect for Tennessee.”
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