Florida Gators 2021-22 Forward Outlook

Hard to outduel on the boards, Duruji has the ability to do the dirty work for this year's Gators team. His knack for snagging rebounds off the glass on the offensive end – second on the team with 35 last year – can give the plethora of UF scoring options opportunities to get second and third chance points.

Those extended possessions are hard to come by, but they're always a focal point for any great team.

This season, Duruji will reassume his role at power forward in the Gators starting lineup, where he has the tools to make a significant impact on the team's success.

CJ Felder

As one of the splash landings for the Gators via the transfer portal this offseason, CJ Felder provides depth and experience to the forward spot.

Transferring into the Florida program from Boston College, Felder spent two seasons with the Golden Eagles, playing 50 games and starting 35. Throughout his career in Massachusetts, Felder tallied 7.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.

Standing at 6-foot-7, 230 pounds, Felder presents Florida with an aggressive two-way player that is more than willing to do the dirty work that his role entails.

Felder brings the Gators a high-level defender with a prowess for shot-blocking, a piece White's squad needed with Scottie Lewis no longer providing elite pressure on the defensive end. Offensively, he will operate on the wing, where he can knock down shots from beyond the arc or attack the basket and finish in traffic.

While the likelihood that he starts is unlikely, the Sumter, South Carolina, native is slated to assume a large role off the bench, mostly in rotation with Duruji at the four.

Other reserves

Tuongthach Gatkek

A late addition to the roster this offseason, Tuongthach Gatkek is a much-needed depth piece for an otherwise thin Gators forward unit.

Showcasing impressive size and length at 6-foot-9, Gatkek played at the junior college ranks for two years, where he proved to be a dominant paint presence on both ends of the floor.

Accounting for 10 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game at Trinity Valley (Texas) Community College last season, Gatkek was a major piece in the team's NJCAA Tournament run last season.

Despite the potential that he shows, his small frame at just 172 pounds suggests that he will likely be subject to a development year while he puts on weight to contend with the physicality of interior players in the SEC.

While it is unlikely he will play a considerable amount this season, Gatkek will be a name to watch in emergency cases due to his gifts skillfully. However, in a perfect world, White and Co. will look to develop him into a dynamic rim protector and offensive option for the 2022-23 season.

As a result, Duruji and Felder will be relied upon heavily to overcome the unit's lack of depth.