GAINESVILLE — Florida wide receiver Taylor Spierto’s smile is infectious.

The redshirt senior’s joy spreads throughout the team. But his presence also doubles as a reminder: not every player on the team is a five-star recruit with multiple offers. Some clawed their way onto the field.

“Great example to a lot of guys on our team,” coach Billy Napier said. “Doesn’t matter where you start your career, you go earn opportunities to be on the field, and then when you do get them, you make the most of them.”

Spierto first joined the team in 2021. However, he only started playing routinely last season, after the San Francisco 49ers picked Ricky Pearsall Jr. at No. 31 in the 2024 NFL draft, creating an opening. Since then, Spierto has tried to make use of every opportunity given.

“To get the

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