Three freshmen – Ledbetter, Young, Williams – set to leave Florida Gators

Updated on Thursday at 12:45 p.m.

Redshirt freshman safety/fullback Rhaheim Ledbetter, redshirt freshman defensive/offensive lineman Quinteze Williams and freshman offensive lineman/tight end Trevon Young have all decided to leave the Florida Gators football program.

Separate reports came out about all three players on Wednesday night and Thursday morning before the school confirmed the departures Thursday afternoon.

The cousin of former Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes and a high school teammate of current Gators sophomore defensive end Jonathan Bullard, Ledbetter chose Florida over interest from Alabama, Clemson, Miami and South Carolina back in July 2011.

He redshirted as a true freshman and moved over to fullback in the spring of 2012. Though Ledbetter did well in his new role, he only saw limited action on special teams this season. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Young joined the Gators less than 24 hours after the conclusion of National Signing Day on Feb. 7. The hybrid offensive lineman/tight end received a late scholarship offer from head coach Will Muschamp and ultimately decided to try his hand at football rather than play basketball at Division II school Eckerd College.

At 6’6” and 260 pounds, Young did not begin playing football until his junior year of high school and often said that basketball was by far and away his preferred sport. He was considered to be a developmental prospect at tight end as his only football playing experience has been as an offensive tackle. Young will likely return to the hardwood.

A high school defensive tackle who could also play defensive end, Williams moved over to the offensive side of the ball during spring practice after taking a redshirt as a true freshman. He was suspended for the 2013 season opener due to a violation of team rules and barely saw the field otherwise. Williams initially chose Florida primarily over Georgia but also Auburn, Florida State and Tennessee.