Unheralded Edge Emerging for Gators’ Team in Desperate Need

Though the opportunity was likely the best the Massachusetts transfer would receive, Asare was patient in his decision the same way that Florida has been patient with his development.

“Florida was, like, big, all my friends were like ‘you gotta go, you gotta go, you gotta go’, but I wasn’t going to make a decision until I came in and felt the energy first.” Asare said about his process. “But when I came in, felt the energy with coach, felt the scenery, it was a whole new scenery so I was intrigued.”

Much different than the competition he faced as an unranked composite recruit at the Massachusetts division three high school level or in two seasons at Umass, Asare understood the challenges and strides he would need to take when joining an SEC program. Once a big fish in a small pond, the 6-foot-5 edge knew he would soon become just another Gator swimming in a swamp.

“One of my coaches from UMass that I still keep in contact with, he was telling me, he was like ‘you’re going somewhere big now, you’re not going to be the big fish no more, you feel me. Big fish everywhere, everybody is just as talented if not more talented than you, so you have to work’.” Asare said. “I was up for the challenge, I’ve always been up for a challenge, and that’s how it goes.”

Though only seeing 25 total snaps through Florida’s first three games, a slew of injuries created an opportunity for Asare earlier than some may have expected, playing 11 more snaps than he had all year in just one game against Miami. Despite a sudden responsibility in a heated environment against one of the best teams in the nation, the new Gator did not falter, finishing as one of Florida’s highest graded defenders on the night.

“It's football. Injury is a part of it, and we've got to accept it. I took the chance. It's an opportunity for me to play. We have depth for a reason.” Asare said. “Somebody goes down, somebody's got to make up for it. So I took the chance to make up for it and I played my heart out, because I know my boy is hurt, so it meant something a little different."

With his role now expected to only continue to grow, the once unknown Asare will now have his name called upon plenty as Florida looks to turn around their season. Though lacking the experience, the pass rusher does not lack a confidence that has only continued to build.

“I was focused more on building my confidence, understanding that my role has become bigger now.” Asare said on preparing for more snaps. “I understood that my role has gone up, and I need to push my level of football up with that role."

Seemingly on his way to becoming another small-school success story out of the portal, Asare will be one to watch in the upcoming weeks for Florida, with the former UMass Minutemen expected to play more minutes for the men in Orange and Blue.