Brenton Cox Jr., Trey Dean III, Gervon Dexter Sr., Ventrell Miller and O’Cyrus Torrence all earned preseason honors.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Five Gators were tabbed on the Preseason All-SEC Teams, the league announced Friday.
Florida had a total of four defensive players – Brenton Cox Jr. (Second Team), Trey Dean III (Third Team), Gervon Dexter Sr. (Third Team) and Ventrell Miller (Third Team) along with offensive lineman O’Cyrus Torrence (First Team) selected.
Torrence collects another preseason honor as he was named a Preseason All-American by Phil Steele, Sporting News and Walter Camp. A transfer from Louisiana, he was Shaun Alexander Freshman All-American and a two-time Joe Moore Award Semifinalist. The 2021 First Team All-Sun Belt selection, Torrence helped the Ragin’ Cajuns offense ranked tied 10th nationally and first in the Sun Belt in rushing touchdowns (34), tied 18th in the country in total touchdowns (58), conference leaders and tied 23rd nationally in first downs (313).
Leading the defense, Cox Jr. owned team-best in TFLs (14.5), sacks (8.5) and quarterback hurries (12). Starting all 13 games last year, he posted back-to-back games against Florida State and UCF with 4.0 TFLs totaling a loss of 48 yards. In the final five games of the 2021 season, Cox Jr. had 20 tackles, 11 TFLs, seven sacks and six QBHs.
Earning his third-straight preseason nod, Miller returns after missing the majority last year due to injury. He has played in 38 career games for the Orange and Blue posting 166 tackles, 15 TFLs, 7.5 sacks and six pass breakups. The Lakeland, Fla. native also is a two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient and SEC Defensive Player of the Week. In his freshman season, he recorded an 82-yard interception return for a touchdown against Idaho for the ninth-longest in school history.
Also adding another preseason accolade, Dexter Sr. was named a Preseason All-American by Sporting News and Walter Camp. He started nine games and appeared in all 13 while ranking fifth in tackles with 51. The junior had 12 multi-tackle performances, including two games with nine vs. Alabama and UCF. He finished ranking second on the team with seven quarterback hurries.
Rounding out the Gator selections, Dean III led the team in tackles (91) and pass breakups (9). A four-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member, he had 12 multi-tackle games, including three outings with 11. In his four seasons with Florida he has accounted for 178 career tackles, 20 pass breakups, nine TFLs, 4.5 sacks and four interceptions.
The preseason poll was also released with the Gators selected fourth in the SEC East.
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