Lingard a positive addition, UF still waiting on other waivers – 247Sports

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Dan Mullen has been a master of the transfer portal, getting massive contributions out of players that have transferred into Florida in each of his first two seasons in charge. And with a handful of transfers in yet again, 2020 could spell more of the same.

First, there's former five-star Georgia transfer Brenton Cox who will be eligible at rush end after sitting out the 2020 season. He could be an instant replacement for Jonathan Greenard, the Louisville graduate transfer who led the SEC in sacks in 2019.

Then there's former five-star Miami transfer Lorenzo Lingard, who was cleared to play immediately by the NCAA a few weeks ago.

"I think he'll be great for the room because I think he's a real positive guy," Mullen said. "From what I've seen, he works hard in our offseason conditioning, worked hard, got a real positive attitude. I love his personality and I really like who he is as a person."

Lingard, when he was healthy, was one of the fastest prospects in the 2018 recruiting class.

An injury derailed his freshman campaign at Miami, and he struggled to work his way back into the mix at running back in 2019 as he continued to recover from that injury. So Mullen's not quite sure where Lingard's at physically just yet.

"As it pertains to football, I can't answer any questions until we get on the field, but as a person I think he's adding a really positive impact to the team and the program," Mullen said. "I'm really excited about that because he has really positive energy, he has a great attitude and a great work ethic. So I think all of those are really bright for his future, and I'm really happy he's a part of the program."

Florida's also still waiting on the waiver status for a few other players. Former five-star Penn State receiver transfer Justin Shorter is waiting on a potential waiver, as is former Texas receiver transfer Jordan Pouncey.

Either or both could help shore up a receiver room that lost four senior wideouts, three who were selected in this year's NFL Draft.

On that front, though, Mullen doesn't have much more information on when or if those players might be cleared than the average fan.

"We either get the waiver has been granted or denied," Mullen said. "Thats about what you get. We might be more having an idea because theyll say, 'Hey, we need more information about this or more information about something else' while theyre reviewing the case. Well get some of that stuff that (you) know how theyre reviewing it, how theyre considering it, how theyre looking at it. By what theyre asking for for further information."

If either or both are cleared, Florida could be in business. Even if not, Mullen sounds quite high on Lingard, and Cox was already proving to be productive as a freshman at Georgia in 2018.

So expect transfers to continue to have a big impact on the field for the Gators this fall.

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Lingard a positive addition, UF still waiting on other waivers - 247Sports