Which Florida Gators Are Playing in Super Bowl LVIII?
Five former Gators will line the sidelines and/or take the field in Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, marking the 22nd consecutive year in which Florida will be represented in the NFL's Championship Game, the third-longest streak among college football programs.
Each Florida alumnus will align with Kansas City: Offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor, punter Tommy Townsend, wide receiver Kadarius Toney and running back La'Mical Perine.
Additionally, former Gators safety Trey Dean III is a member of the Chiefs' practice squad, although he was not elevated to Kansas City's active roster for the game.
Taylor, a second-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2018 NFL Draft, cashed in on four years of starting experience via free agency this past offseason, signing a four-year, $80 million contract with Kansas City to become the Chiefs' starting right tackle.
He occupied the position in every game for Kansas City in 2023, serving as a critical protector for three-time All-Pro quarterback Patrick Mahomes and helping pave the way for running back Isiah Pacheco, who this season was the Chiefs' most productive single-season rusher since Kareem Hunt in 2018.
Despite his undrafted free agent status, Townsend signed with Kansas City to become its starting punter following the 2020 NFL Draft, taking over for 15-year Chief Dustin Colquitt. Townsend has averaged 47.4 yards per punt since, with a single-season career-high 50.4 yards per punt in 2022, which earned him All-Pro and Pro Bowl recognition.
A first-round selection by the New York Giants in 2021, Toney was traded to Kansas City during the 2022 season and began to blossom, scoring two touchdowns over nine appearances with two starts at the end of the year.
Although he remains a member of the Chiefs' 53-man roster, Toney has not taken the field since Week 15 and is not expected to play on Sunday, per ESPN. He dealt with multiple injuries during the regular season and underperformed when he was available, catching only 27 passes for 169 yards and one touchdown.
Perine was picked by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft and spent two seasons in the Big Apple, but was released in August 2022.
Perine joined the Chiefs' practice squad during the 2022-23 postseason and remained there throughout most of the 2023 campaign, until his December elevation to the active roster. He started in the season finale, rushing 21 times for 76 yards and hauling in three receptions for 33 yards.
Super Bowl LVIII marks Townsend's third appearance in the NFL's Championship Game. A fourth-year player, he lifted the Lombardi Trophy alongside Kansas City teammates a season ago, having beaten Philadelphia in the big game, and finished runner-up to Tampa Bay to conclude the 2020 season when he was a rookie.
Toney also appeared in the Super Bowl a year ago, memorably scoring a wide-open, lead-taking touchdown for Kansas City and setting up another touchdown with a 65-yard punt return in the fourth quarter.
Perine, too, was with Kansas City for its Super Bowl victory last year, although he was on the Chiefs' practice squad at that time.
Kickoff for Super Bowl LVIII is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev.
Opposing Kansas City is the San Francisco 49ers, whose quarterback, Brock Purdy, revealed his childhood Gators fandom earlier this week.
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