Florida Awards Walk-On WR Taylor Spierto, DL Keenan Landry Scholarships

Two Florida walk-ons were presented scholarships during the Gators' bye week.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida on Thursday awarded walk-on redshirt sophomores, wide receiver Taylor Spierto and defensive lineman Keenan Landry, with scholarships, the program announced via social media on Friday. 

Much deserved‼️

Congrats to @tspier30 and @99gocrzy on earning scholarships! #GoGators | #jOURney pic.twitter.com/lT2Ag3v1vr

— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) October 20, 2023

"We're fortunate this year that we have two scholarships that we can give away. We have two players that we feel, as an organization and as a team, that are going to get scholarships," head coach Billy Napier told the team during its Thursday practice. "I want y'all to celebrate with these guys. This is special."

Each player maintains collegiate eligibility through the 2025 season after redshirting their first year at Florida.

Spierto, a product of Franklin (Tenn.) High, joined Florida in the fall of 2021 following a senior season in which he caught 54 passes for 914 yards and 10 touchdowns and made 63 tackles as a starting wide receiver and free safety for his school. 

He took the field in a Gators uniform for the first time during his redshirt freshman season in 2022, amid Florida's home matchup with Eastern Washington. While Spierto earned just one snap in that game, and one appearance that year, the rep marked just the beginning of his playing career in orange and blue. 

Spierto has played in every game for Florida this season, primarily on special teams with the kick coverage and kick and punt return units, although he hauled in his first career catch against McNeese State and another versus Vanderbilt, for a combined 17 yards. 

Spierto has occupied a reserve spot on Florida's weekly depth chart since Week 1 of the 2023 season. 

Landry, meanwhile, joined the Gators ahead of the 2022 season as a junior college transfer from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where he played in nine games and produced 31 tackles as a true freshman in 2021. Previously, Landry played high school ball with now-UF running back Trevor Etienne at Jennings (La.) High. 

Landry, too, made his Florida debut against Eastern Washington in 2022, his only appearance last season. He also took the field against McNeese State in Week 2 of this season. 

Spierto and Landry's elevation from walk-on status puts Florida one player short of the 85-man scholarship limit for the 2023 season, raising the team's count to 84. 

Stay tuned to All Gators for continuous coverage of Florida Gators football, basketball and recruiting. Follow along on social media at @AllGatorsOnFN on Twitter and All Gators on FanNation-Sports Illustrated on Facebook. 

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