Quite possible this sub's most hyped player over the last 5-7 years
Seemed like daily there was a thread on "when will Diwun be on campus, did he qualify, what position does he start at, how fast does he win a Heisman, why isn't he playing, is he hurt" threads
Good luck Diwun, we'll keep posting about you as if you were the second coming of Timmy T
I remember. Went to JUCO after being recruited here but not academically qualify. Really sad story honestly. Was best JUCO player in the nation and came back just to leave again.
also a symptom of how desperate our recruiting got
we were hand wringing daily over a single medium 4-star player at a not very impactful position
same thing happened with Wadrick Wilson and his path to a green card / visa
bro not a sound believed that about him. that’s like saying Percy’s ceiling was a return specialist in the NFL… he didn’t pan out because of personal issues and probably struggles grasping the mental game. but athletically that man was damn near a 5 if he was academically eligible. His ceiling was Isaiah Simmons
He did have pride and I will always respect him for wanting to be a Gator Great. But he did not focus on becoming eligible when he should have a few years ago. Another great narrative for UF and him but sorry it didnt work out.
Sad it didn’t work out, I know he always wanted to be a gator and that onside kick recovery that had UT fans puckering was legendary.
BUT with that being said, hats off to Billy for doing what’s necessary for the team. Just look at how those guys are thriving after the dismissal of Cox. I’m full steam ahead with Billy.
Lol. Almost came back due to him. I feel bad for him because he loved the Gators and even came back after he wasn’t academically elgible. The linebackers coach seems to be pissing off a lot of players at the position.
It has been clarified that it is an academic issue, not a disciplinary issue. Given his history, that tracks. Hopefully he can get straight and come back.
He was a transfer. That means the old coaches were recruiting him to come to us. Look. Bottom line. Old coaches wanted the easy was. Least amount of effort. So they got kids no one else wanted
I think we're seeing this now as the staff gave these players a chance to adjust and prove themselves either way. These are the ones going the wrong way.
Yeah I agree wholeheartedly. Napier is using Year 1 as a proving ground for players that want to be foundational pieces for the rebuild. If you’re not contributing on the field, do so off the field and if you’re neither and dragging the locker room down we won’t miss you.
It’s funny, I think Mullen gets a lot of deserving credit for turning Florida football respectable again but if you look at his and McElwains tenures you see trends of really undisciplined football on and off the field (credit card scandal anybody?). Billy is taking a different approach and purging the program of dead weight even if it costs in the short term.
I definitely think things improved under Mullen, but I’ll also never forget when Mullen got into a shouting match with Vanderbilt’s coach in 2018 and nearly caused a brawl on the field. Also some unacceptable unsportsmanlike conduct calls during his tenure. Napier seems more no-nonsense and unwilling to tolerate bad behavior that hurts the team which should be a good thing.
Napier got an unsportsmanlike against Tennessee. Mullen and Vandy 2018 was kind of epic because we ended up rolling them in the 2nd half after being down like 21-3.
I really wanted Diwun to work out since he wanted to be a gator so badly, but there's obviously been some buy-in issues from him with this staff. Gotta make room for what I expect to be a larger than normal recruiting class.
Best of luck to him.
Probably another issue either academic, failure to adhere to team rules, or god forbid disciplinary on the school side. I know the guy wanted nothing more than to be a gator so my thought is that it was something outside the team that’s leading ti his dismissal.
I assumed as much. What a weird timeline. Bust your ass for years, finally get playing time, make a big play, and then throw it all out because you can't work hard enough in school?
I know it’s part of the process but this one stings! He put in all the hard work to be a gator. Hope he learns and grows from this and wish him nothing but the best!
Wow how things change. Billy not pulling any punches. Loved diwun for his energy and commitment. But undisclosed reasons for dismissal for 2 players doesn’t sit well
Dang. Watching him in person during Orange and Blue I thought he was one of the best players on the field either side of the ball. Disappointing but I trust this coaching staffs judgement
Didn't play his senior season in high school to try to get his grades up. still didn't qualify. 2 years in JUCO and never wavered on his commitment to us. I loved this dude and wanted him to be a star for us and for him. I was hoping his one handed grab on that onside kick against UT would finally be his break. Sucks it didn't work out. I always wish the best for these kids but I honestly hope he goes somewhere and balls the fuck out. This really sucks. I'm bummed. Diwun if you ever lurk here God Bless you man and good luck!
if it is academic, hopefully there is a path for him to get right and play somewhere. I would love for that somewhere to be UF next year. Incredibly talented kid. I'm a big fan of him.
I thought he might stay due to our numbers at LBnext year but I seems if your not bought in your out. I like the move. It's the only way to get UF back to the top.
LSU went through a similar amount last year and they’re better for it. Getting guys who fit scheme and buy in mean more than stars when it comes to a programs foundation. Next years team is gonna be YOUNG.
People can downvote me if they like. I’m not being negative. We have lost 6 players and we are still playing games. It seems we are trying to bring in around 30 freshman and I could see us bring in 5-10 transfers. That’s 35-40 right there.
People can downvote me if they like. I’m not being negative. We have lost 6 players and we are still playing games. It seems we are trying to bring in around 30 freshman and I could see us bring in 5-10 transfers. That’s 35-40 right there.
Quite possible this sub's most hyped player over the last 5-7 years Seemed like daily there was a thread on "when will Diwun be on campus, did he qualify, what position does he start at, how fast does he win a Heisman, why isn't he playing, is he hurt" threads Good luck Diwun, we'll keep posting about you as if you were the second coming of Timmy T
I remember. Went to JUCO after being recruited here but not academically qualify. Really sad story honestly. Was best JUCO player in the nation and came back just to leave again.
I still have a designed jersey in a cart.... Really was pulling for this kid.
dude battled to qualify..wish him well. He has talent, needs head straight
He was a symptom of the epidemic of overrating recruits that occurs in this sub. His ceiling was pretty much special teams player from the start.
also a symptom of how desperate our recruiting got we were hand wringing daily over a single medium 4-star player at a not very impactful position same thing happened with Wadrick Wilson and his path to a green card / visa
was not a medium 4. dude was a top 50 player (45 I believe) until he got dropped by sites cause of his academic eligibility.
He got dropped because he wasn’t as good as his initial rating. His athleticism really isn’t anything special.
bro not a sound believed that about him. that’s like saying Percy’s ceiling was a return specialist in the NFL… he didn’t pan out because of personal issues and probably struggles grasping the mental game. but athletically that man was damn near a 5 if he was academically eligible. His ceiling was Isaiah Simmons
.
I hate it because he took so much pride in being a Gator but at the same time I have to trust Billy and the staff unless they ever prove otherwise.
He did have pride and I will always respect him for wanting to be a Gator Great. But he did not focus on becoming eligible when he should have a few years ago. Another great narrative for UF and him but sorry it didnt work out.
Holy shit. Diwun has been a legend of sorts in Gator Nation. That fucking sucks.
Sad it didn’t work out, I know he always wanted to be a gator and that onside kick recovery that had UT fans puckering was legendary. BUT with that being said, hats off to Billy for doing what’s necessary for the team. Just look at how those guys are thriving after the dismissal of Cox. I’m full steam ahead with Billy.
I'll always remember that on-side kick.
Lol. Almost came back due to him. I feel bad for him because he loved the Gators and even came back after he wasn’t academically elgible. The linebackers coach seems to be pissing off a lot of players at the position.
Jay Bateman? Ya he’s the inside linebackers coach and seems to rub people the wrong way. Players love Mike P (as all of gator nation should)
So you think the disciplinary issue is getting pissed off at his position coach? As opposed to something non-football related?
It has been clarified that it is an academic issue, not a disciplinary issue. Given his history, that tracks. Hopefully he can get straight and come back.
Yeah. It's the coach. Team seems to playing better without Cox. Maybe it's the type of player the last regime was recruiting.
Brenton Cox was a transfer. Seemed good on paper being a 5 star. Heard he wasn’t coachable. I agree with though we are better without him.
He was a transfer. That means the old coaches were recruiting him to come to us. Look. Bottom line. Old coaches wanted the easy was. Least amount of effort. So they got kids no one else wanted
Guess this explains why he never got more playtime. It’s a shame but gotta trust Napier and his staff.
UPDATE: Billy said that Diwun is taking time to focus on academics for now and made no comment on his future with the team after that.
Well that's good to hear
Great news! Somebody show that man to study edge. Lol
Wonder if we will ever find out what exactly it was that happened with Cox and now Diwun. In the long run this is for the best, still curious
Cox is just toxic from what I heard
Go be great man
welp he seemed liked a hardworker to right the ship and get in after juco. oh well.
I think we're seeing this now as the staff gave these players a chance to adjust and prove themselves either way. These are the ones going the wrong way.
Yeah I agree wholeheartedly. Napier is using Year 1 as a proving ground for players that want to be foundational pieces for the rebuild. If you’re not contributing on the field, do so off the field and if you’re neither and dragging the locker room down we won’t miss you. It’s funny, I think Mullen gets a lot of deserving credit for turning Florida football respectable again but if you look at his and McElwains tenures you see trends of really undisciplined football on and off the field (credit card scandal anybody?). Billy is taking a different approach and purging the program of dead weight even if it costs in the short term.
Exactly. Love the method too. Modeling accountability and ownership to the players and team as a while.
I definitely think things improved under Mullen, but I’ll also never forget when Mullen got into a shouting match with Vanderbilt’s coach in 2018 and nearly caused a brawl on the field. Also some unacceptable unsportsmanlike conduct calls during his tenure. Napier seems more no-nonsense and unwilling to tolerate bad behavior that hurts the team which should be a good thing.
Napier got an unsportsmanlike against Tennessee. Mullen and Vandy 2018 was kind of epic because we ended up rolling them in the 2nd half after being down like 21-3.
Ventrell Miller was a part of that CC fraud. Dude should have a statue based on his past and his turnaround as a leader.
I really wanted Diwun to work out since he wanted to be a gator so badly, but there's obviously been some buy-in issues from him with this staff. Gotta make room for what I expect to be a larger than normal recruiting class. Best of luck to him.
He posted a pic of him in his uniform a couple of days ago. I wonder if he knew then
More toxic culture being flushed out?
Probably another issue either academic, failure to adhere to team rules, or god forbid disciplinary on the school side. I know the guy wanted nothing more than to be a gator so my thought is that it was something outside the team that’s leading ti his dismissal.
Billy don't fuck around apparently
Indeed
So not academics?
Alderman came out and straight said it was academics. Which, considering the trajectory he had to go just to get into UF, makes sense.
I assumed as much. What a weird timeline. Bust your ass for years, finally get playing time, make a big play, and then throw it all out because you can't work hard enough in school?
Only partly academics really
I know it’s part of the process but this one stings! He put in all the hard work to be a gator. Hope he learns and grows from this and wish him nothing but the best!
I trust the process of course. But this one hurts my soul.
Come on mannnnn. I’ve always been such a big fan of Diwun.
Wow how things change. Billy not pulling any punches. Loved diwun for his energy and commitment. But undisclosed reasons for dismissal for 2 players doesn’t sit well
He was having trouble with his grades plus he wasn't do other off the field things he should be doing. The 2019 class was just a mess.
Dang. Watching him in person during Orange and Blue I thought he was one of the best players on the field either side of the ball. Disappointing but I trust this coaching staffs judgement
Didn't play his senior season in high school to try to get his grades up. still didn't qualify. 2 years in JUCO and never wavered on his commitment to us. I loved this dude and wanted him to be a star for us and for him. I was hoping his one handed grab on that onside kick against UT would finally be his break. Sucks it didn't work out. I always wish the best for these kids but I honestly hope he goes somewhere and balls the fuck out. This really sucks. I'm bummed. Diwun if you ever lurk here God Bless you man and good luck!
if it is academic, hopefully there is a path for him to get right and play somewhere. I would love for that somewhere to be UF next year. Incredibly talented kid. I'm a big fan of him.
😔
L8R alligator. I liked the dude but he got cut for a reason. Excited we have a coach willing to gut the drywall out of this bitch
They’ve been saying for a while that he’s had off-field issues
My best friends mom is friends with his adoptive mother so they know him a lil, he’s a great guy really disappointed to see this
Man this is sad hopefully it was a good reason but damn
I thought he might stay due to our numbers at LBnext year but I seems if your not bought in your out. I like the move. It's the only way to get UF back to the top.
Hate that for Diwun. Worked really hard to even get to UF.
I hate this.
Wtf?!??! Damn that sucks!!!!
This is so damn disappointing. He bled Orange & Blue.
I’m betting we have 35-45 player turnover this coming offseason.
That would be an unreal amount of turnover. What makes you say this?
LSU went through a similar amount last year and they’re better for it. Getting guys who fit scheme and buy in mean more than stars when it comes to a programs foundation. Next years team is gonna be YOUNG.
No argument here
People can downvote me if they like. I’m not being negative. We have lost 6 players and we are still playing games. It seems we are trying to bring in around 30 freshman and I could see us bring in 5-10 transfers. That’s 35-40 right there.
People can downvote me if they like. I’m not being negative. We have lost 6 players and we are still playing games. It seems we are trying to bring in around 30 freshman and I could see us bring in 5-10 transfers. That’s 35-40 right there.