It was a breakthrough national championship, highlighted by the Fun’ N’ Gun offense, a Heisman-winning quarterback and a visor-wearing coach with swagger that stretched from Key West to Pensacola.
Florida football won its first national title 30 years ago, capping a 12-1 season in 1996 with a 52-20 win over rival Florida State in the Sugar Bowl.
Two of the three statues erected in front of The Swamp played a key role in the championship season. Heisman winner Steve Spurrier, in his sixth season as UF coach, guided an offense that lit up scoreboards like a pinball machine. With Spurrier calling the plays, the Florida Gators led the nation in total offense (503.9 ypg) while leading the SEC in scoring offense (47.0 ppg, an SEC record that still stands).
Starting quarterback Danny Wuerffel won the Heisman Trophy, passing for 3,625 yards and 39 TDs.
Defensively, Florida transformed into a more aggressive, blitzing unit under first-year coordinator Bob Stoops. UF ranked third in the conference in total defense (250.2 yards per game allowed) and third in turnovers forced (2.2 per game).
To honor the 30th anniversary of 1996 national title team, the Gainesville Sun is counting down the top 30 players from the team. Here’s a look at No. 9:
No. 6 Jeff Mitchell
Why Mitchell is No. 6: The 6-foot-4, 300-pound Mitchell started all 13 games in 1996 for the Gators as a senior, earning first-team All-SEC and third-team All-American honors. Mitchell anchored an offensive line that allowed Danny Wuerffel to pass for 3,625 yards and 39 TDs during his Heisman-winning season. He was picked in the fifth round by the Baltimore Ravens in the 1997 NFL draft and went on to a successful eight-year NFL career with the Ravens and Carolina Panthers, winning a Super Bowl Ring with the Ravens in 2001.
Florida football Top 30 player countdown from 1996 championship team
No. 30: Cooper Carlisle
No. 29: Ryan Kalich
No. 28 Shea Showers
No. 27 Demtric Jackson
No. 26 Travis McGriff
No, 25 Tim Beauchamp
No. 24 Cameron Davis
No. 23 Tremayne Allen
No. 22 Jevon Kearse
No. 21 Tony George
No. 20 Zach Piller
No. 19 Mo Collins
No. 18 Johnny Rutledge
No. 17 Teako Brown
No. 16 Reggie McGrew
No. 15 Terry Jackson
No. 14 Mike Peterson
No. 13 Fred Taylor
No. 12 Elijah Williams
No. 11 Donnie Young
No. 10 Fred Weary
No. 9 Anthone Lott
No. 8 Ed Chester
Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida football Top 30 players countdown from 1996 | No. 6 Jeff Mitchell
Reporting by Kevin Brockway, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
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By Kevin Brockway, Gainesville Sun | USA TODAY Network
