Phil Steele Tabs Three Gators as Preseason All-Americans
Thursday, May 17, 2012 | Football
The Gators had three players receive preseason All-American honors along with 10 players gaining preseason All-SEC honors in Phil Steele's Preseason Awards released Tuesday.
Senior Kicker Caleb Sturgis, a 2011 Lou Groza Award Finalist, was named to Phil Steele's Preseason All-American First Team. Sturgis went 22-of-26 in 2011 with a long of 55 yards. He ranked third in the nation in made field goals and also ranked third in field goal makes per game with 1.7. Additionally, the senior kicker was one of only two kickers in FBS to have made three field goals of 50-or-more yards.
Joining Sturgis with preseason All-American honors is junior defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd, who was named to Steele's Preseason All-American Third Team, and junior safety Matt Elam, who was selected to Steele's Preseason All-American Fourth Team.
Floyd, despite missing two games, was sixth on the team in tackles in 2011 with 46. Floyd spent most of the 2011 playing defensive end but will play more at the tackle position for the upcoming season.
Elam led the team in tackles for a loss with 11 and was second on the team with 78 total tackles. The Palm Beach Gardens native also led the team in pass break ups with seven and tied for the team lead in interceptions with two.
The Gators had four offensive players named preseason All-SEC by Phil Steele. Senior offensive lineman Xavier Nixon (third team), junior wide receiver Andre Debose (fourth team), junior tight end Jordan Reed (fourth team) and junior offensive lineman Jon Halapio (fourth team) represent UF on the offensive side of the ball.
Floyd, junior linebacker Jelani Jenkins, senior linebacker Jon Bostic and Elam were all tabbed preseason All-SEC Second Team while junior defensive lineman Dominique Easley was named to the fourth team.
Sturgis was named All-SEC First Team and Debose was selected All-SEC Third Team as a kick returner.
| Phil Steele Preseason All-American Gators | |||
| Player | Position | Team | |
| Caleb Sturgis | K | First Team | |
| Sharrif Floyd | DT | Third Team | |
| Matt Elam | S | Fourth Team | |
| Phil Steele Preseason All-SEC Gators (Offense) | |||
| Player | Position | Team | |
| Xavier Nixon | OT | Third Team | |
| Andre Debose | WR | Fourth Team | |
| Jordan Reed | TE | Fourth Team | |
| Jon Halapio | OG | Fourth Team | |
| Phil Steele Preseason All-SEC Gators (Defense) | |||
| Player | Position | Team | |
| Sharrif Floyd | DT | Second Team | |
| Jelani Jenkins | LB | Second Team | |
| Jon Bostic | LB | Second Team | |
| Matt Elam | S | Second Team | |
| Domnique Easley | DE | Fourth Team | |
| Phil Steele Preseason All-SEC Gators (Specialists) | |||
| Player | Position | Team | |
| Caleb Sturgis | K | First Team | |
| Andre Debose | KR | Third Team | |
