Lagonza Hayward

Thorton, Castell, and Greg Smith

 

Yes, he is, but definitely in the best 11, so have to get him on the field even if Castell has to sit some.

 

that injury to Gates looked gruesome. It is possible he misses some of next year if it is a bad ACL or similar injury.

 

We have the surgeons and PT to get him back on the field next season. Provided the surgery is successful, the only real items that could hold him back are not trusting the knee or rebuilding strength following immobilization.

 

He did walk off the field though.

 

Yeah, I hope not. We do have a lot of guys that we don't know what they will be like when they return. But you can't teach instincts and reaction time like he has.

 

Gates was out a long time for his HS injury and came back fine. He should be good.

 

So why wouldn’t he just play Star?

 

Yes, "we have the technology, we can rebuild him."

 

Safety will be easier to play than star, so putting him there is not going to overload him. We need our best 11 on the field instead of playing both Denson and Gates half of the time. Gates and Thornton have just proven to be better than Castell.

 

Ahh I see what you’re saying. Idk enough about the responsibilities of the different safeties compared to the star but I would lean towards not removing gates form the star position because he is an absolute menace. That series against UGA was incredible.

First play - TFL
Second play - solo tackle for like 1 yard gain
Third play - pick

back2back2back plays. Stud.

 

Very little drop off between Denson and Gates on tackling, but a big drop off between Gates to Castell at reading and reacting. There was way too much loafing by Castell this season.

 

https://247sports.com/player/lagonza-hayward-46143804/

https://247sports.com/PlayerInstitu...oombs-county-301838/CurrentExpertPredictions/

 

https://247sports.com/player/lagonza-hayward-46143804/

https://247sports.com/PlayerInstitu...oombs-county-301838/CurrentExpertPredictions/

 

Signed

 

That’s a great sign in a position of need!

 

He is really good and could play multiple positions, defense and offense, but I would like to see him closer to the line than farther away, as he has closing speed and no fear of contact.

 

Was a big pickup Wednesday. I was really hoping he would call it for the Gators and he did.
Guy is physical, intimidating and will bring the wood. What a great pair of safeties we recruited, add in Ben Hanks
at corner, and it could be a special group in a couple of years!

 

Definitely felt like someone rebuilt Pyburn. Dude was back amazingly fast from an end of season ACL injury in only 6 months. He's an animal.

Here's a piece from an article about his rehab
"I told my trainers that I wanted to do it faster than anybody's done it and do it better than anybody's done it," Pyburn said.

He kept his promises.

Following surgery in December, Pyburn began to attack the rehab process in a way that caused his trainers to encourage him to take a step back. Waking up at 6 a.m. daily throughout the Gators' offseason, Pyburn swam twice a week, climbed stadiums at a disturbing frequency and participated in yin yoga sessions. He credits yoga with loosening his injured joint, but, at times, it occurred virtually to avoid embarrassment.

"I didn't want to look like a fool," Pyburn joked.