Ethan White to Step Up as Florida's Sixth Offensive Lineman

The true freshman dedicated his offseason to playing at a healthy weight, and his hard work paid off as he takes on a pivotal role on Florida's offensive line.

Following the departure of starting right guard Chris Bleich to the NCAA transfer portal, the Florida Gators' found themselves looking for depth on an already thin and inexperienced offensive line.

As redshirt freshman Richard Gouraige is expected to step into a starting role at left guard, with redshirt junior Brett Heggie moving from left to right, the Gators were in need of another guard to act as a swing player. 

Offensive line coach John Hevesy told the media on Tuesday night that true freshman Ethan White is the guy for that role.

"Ethan White steps up and again Ethan’s been having great practices," Hevesy stated. "He’s the next one coming in to play, it’s opportunities. I told him today, I said 'opportunities come'. That’s what you came here for. You didn’t come here to sit next to me on the sidelines. So your opportunity is here, go play.”

The true freshman signed with Florida this past signing period as a three-star prospect out of Clearwater High School (Clearwater, FL), with a similar story to recent Florida offensive lineman, and now right tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jawaan Taylor.

Much like Taylor, White was of massive stature in high school, beyond that of even the biggest offensive linemen. White enrolled in the spring, and was originally listed at 390 lbs. After an offseason in the weight room with Florida's strength and conditioning coach Nick Savage, White reportedly lost nearly 60 lbs.

#Gators OL coach John Hevesy says Ethan White weighed about 393 pounds when he arrived. He is now around 337 pounds.

— Jacquie Franciulli (@JacquieFran_) August 7, 2019

His weight loss being a testament to his work ethic, White earned first-team opportunities in fall camp and scrimmages before the season. And although he has only played late in games against UT-Martin and Towson, Hevesy is pleased with White's growth.

"[White has progressed] very well," Hevesy continued. 

"That’s why he’s in the position he’s in. He’s in the position to come in and go play. That’s what I said you come here for, go play now. It’s a good thing we’re home. We don’t have to go to an outside environment, where home is a little bit controlled. But to me, it’s an opportunity to go play.”

While Gouraige appears to have cemented himself into the starting lineup, taking 42 snaps against Georgia compared to Bleich's 14 while Bleich started the game, expect to see White take occasional snaps throughout the final three games of the regular season, in order to get White some key reps in against SEC opponents and Florida State.