As expected, Florida football has added a very experienced -- and familiar -- piece to its offensive line puzzle.
Thursday, it was reported that Stewart Reese was listed in the NCAA transfer database. That served as the first step in leaving Mississippi State. It was widely thought the next step would be Gainesville.
Just two days later, and while the school hasn’t confirmed it, it’s being reported that the offensive lineman will indeed transfer into the Florida football program. If Reese does indeed end up with the Gators, he’ll find a couple of familiar faces. One in particular.
Current UF head coach Dan Mullen and his offensive line coach, John Hevesy, recruited Reese to Mississippi State. More notably, the lineman’s brother, David Reese, is a linebacker for the Gators.
Reese was a three-star member of the Mississippi State football Class of 2016. The Florida native will be leaving Starkville as a graduate transfer. This coming campaign will be his final year of eligibility.
The 6-5, 345-pound lineman took a redshirt as a true freshman. In 2017 and 2018, he started all 26 games at right tackle. Last season, last season, he started eight games at right guard for the Bulldogs.
The addition of Reese would help soften the loss of Issiah Walker. Earlier this month, the four-star 2020 offensive lineman entered the transfer portal not long after signing with the Gators.