GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Six players, all on the offensive side of the ball, will not return to the Florida Gators next fall.
Sophomore tight end Kent Taylor, true freshman quarterback Max Staver, redshirt freshmen fullback Rhaheim Ledbetter and offensive linemen Quinteze Williams and Trevon Young will transfer. Junior offensive lineman Ian Silberman, who is graduating on Saturday, plans to play his final season at another school.
"These young men felt it was in their best interest to look for an opportunity to play somewhere else," Florida coach Will Muschamp said. "We wish all of them the best of luck."
Silberman, a reserve guard who made seven career starts after once being ranked the No. 3 offensive tackle in the Class of 2010, was the only one of the five who saw significant action in 2013.
Taylor, a 6-foot-5, 223-pound tight end who was ranked No. 4 in the nation in the Class of 2012, failed to make an impact. He had two catches for 5 yards and a touchdown as a freshman and did not play as a sophomore.
Ledbetter, who played two games this season on special teams, signed as a safety before converting to fullback this year. Williams signed as a defensive lineman before switching to offensive line. Young was a high school basketball player who got a look at offensive tackle and tight end but redshirted his freshman year.
With these departures and three seniors leaving, Florida has just nine offensive linemen returning in 2014.
Staver, who redshirted this fall, was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2013 and ESPN's No. 19-ranked quarterback prospect. The 6-foot-6 pro-style QB, who was recruited by former offensive coordinator Brent Pease, said the Gators are switching to a new offense that "will not fit me."
"I had a great experience at the University of Florida," Staver told ESPN, "and I have made many great friendships and relationships this year. They have great people down there. I will miss them and the Gator Nation and its fans."
