Florida’s backfield received good news Friday afternoon from Lorenzo Lingard, the former five-star prospect who transferred to UF from Miami in time for the spring semester.
The 6-foot, 200-pound running back out of Orange City announced he’d been cleared to play in 2020 on his social media account, giving the Gators another intriguing talent in a unit tasked with replacing senior La’mical Perine. The Gainesville Sun later confirmed Lingard had received an immediate eligibility waiver from the NCAA.
Approved to play this year 🙏🏾best birthday gift ever 💯god is good
— Lorenzo Lingard JR (@d1champ99) May 29, 2020
With the question regarding his eligibility now answered, Lingard will look to compete for reps this season in a UF running back unit led by Dameon Pierce and Malik Davis, with Nay’quan Wright and Iverson Clement vying for a role, too.
As for the Gators, they now await word on another five-star transfer: former Penn State wide receiver Justin Shorter. Considering the wideout transferred to Florida on Jan. 26 – a little over three weeks after the addition of Lingard – and it would seem a decision regarding Shorter is coming sooner rather than later.
Lingard’s freshman season with the ‘Canes was cut short by an injury after rushing for 136 yards on just 14 carries; he would play just two games in 2019 as a sophomore.
Sounds great. Go Gators!