Florida’s right tackle Michael Tarkin intending to enter the NCAA’s transfer portal, the Ocala native posted on social media Thursday night.
“I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to play football and graduate from the University of Florida,” Tarquin wrote in a note on his Twitter account. “I appreciate everyone who has helped me through this process so far and I appreciate every relationship I’ve built at UF. That being said, I am putting my name on the NCAA transfer portal.”
Tarquin and the Ocala native, who started seven games in the 2022 season, suffered an injury in Florida’s second game of the season, the 26-16 loss to Kentucky that sidelined him for four games. He returned midseason and played the remaining six games at right tackles, including the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl loss to Oregon State.
He returned to the team in 2022 after starting two of 12 games in 2021, and Tarquin emerged from spring camp as a starting right in an experienced offensive line.
He is the third offensive lineman with significant starting experience to leave the program since the end of the regular season. Florida’s starters at the right guard, O’Cyrus Torrenceannounced his intention to enter the upcoming NFL Draft after an impressive season at Gainesville, his only one with the UF program.
“After careful consideration with my family, I have made the decision to forego my final year of eligibility and to declare myself a candidate for the 2023 NFL Draft,” Torrence wrote in a Twitter post. “First I want to thank God. I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to pursue my passion and dreams. None of this would be possible without him! I want to thank my coaches in Florida and Louisiana for helping me become not only a better football player, but a better person. You challenged me every day to be the best version of myself. Although I was only a Gator for a year, I want to thank you, Gator Nation, for your support and for making me feel like family. There’s nothing like playing in The Swamp. In other words, but without Cajun Nation and UL, I never would have become a Gator. You believed me from the start and gave me the opportunity to show my talent. Without this opportunity I wouldn’t have been able to show the world what I’m capable of. Finally, I would like to thank my family for their support and the sacrifices they made to give me the opportunity to achieve my dream of playing in the NFL. I’m looking forward to the future and the best is yet to come.”
And Florida left tackle Richard Gouraige followed suit and entered the NFL draft after five seasons in Florida, although unlike Torrence, he played with Tarquin in the postseason loss to the Beavers. With the majority of the team’s offensive line departing, the Gators will be tasked with developing a new starting unit, and it’s possible the program will be looking for players with starting experience on the transfer portal. Florida signed three offensive linemen Wednesday as the early signing period began, and UF head coach Billy Napier announced the program’s “hope” to add more players to the position in the coming months.