Why WR Bailey Stockton could play key role for Florida football offense

Stockton and Philo share a rapport from playing together at both Georgia Tech and Prince Avenue Christian School, a private school in Bogart, Georgia, coached by Jon Richt, the son of former Georgia Tech and Miami coach Mark Richt.

"He played his last high school football game with a broken collarbone," Richt said. "Surgery two weeks before, wasn't supposed to be cleared and still had two touchdowns ...

"He's hardnosed, he wants to win, he's the ultimate competitor and he's one of those guys that again, just loves football, loves to compete. "

Stockton said he takes as much pride in his perimeter blocking as he does catching passes.

"That comes back to (inside receivers) coach (Trent) McKnight always preaches to chase the ball always and always finish blocks," Stockton said. "You don’t want your guy to ever make the play ever. You can create explosive plays as well by not having the ball in your hands.”

Stockton has the speed and ball skills to make explosive plays with the ball in his hands as well. His rapport with Philo began when the two played travel league baseball together in middle school.

“We always went fishing and golfing and things like that," Stockton said. "When we started playing football together, I started playing receiver, it really started to get going after that. "

Philo and Stockton shared a special moment shortly after they connected on their first TD together in a Gator uniform.

"Coming off the field he was like we have come a long way from Bogart, and I was like yeah," Stockton said. "On the field, when he said it just hit home.”

Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s