‘Sparking up the team’
Cleveland content making his mark on special teams
Tyrie Cleveland’s face lit up when he heard the questions. He was asked in late September how he felt seeing Florida’s other receivers beginning their seasons with a high volume of targets.
Some receivers would bristle at divided attention on offense. But this 6-foot-2 speedster happily shared the spotlight.
“He’s sparking up the program, sparking up the team and the receiving group,” Cleveland raved about Freddie Swain.
“I love it when he gets the ball,” Cleveland boasted about Kadarius Toney.
That’s Cleveland boiled down to his essence. His coaches and teammates all describe him as one of the most meticulous workers on the UF receiving corps.
“Probably the most fun to watch as a coach is how he has matured with his work ethic,” said Matt Kerstetter, Cleveland’s high school offensive coordinator.
Kerstetter and Cleveland keep up regularly through texts and phone calls. Kerstetter said his former pupil realized in his junior year of high school that Cleveland needed to work on more aspects of his game outside of his blazing speed.
That mindset has helped Cleveland adjust toward a more well-rounded skillset. His special teams contributions, in particular, stand out. He holds a starting spot on the punt coverage squad, a unit UF coach Dan Mullen has called one of the most important on the team.
He doesn’t wear a dour attitude when he trots out to cover punts. He doesn’t sulk about making plays on the other side of the ball.
A reporter recently asked Cleveland how fun it was to be in a huddle with Mullen calling plays. It wasn’t meant to be about Mullen’s tendencies on special teams, but he responded without hesitation.
“We had a, I can’t say the name of it, but it was a fake punt,” Cleveland said. “I was very excited for [punter Tommy Townsend] to get it and get us a first down.
"I’m just trying to take pride in special teams, because special teams wins ballgames. I try to come out every day and work my butt off on special teams and just give it my all.”
The move has paid off for both Cleveland and the Gators (6-3, 4-3 SEC). His efforts on punt coverage have yielded plenty of game-changing, field-flipping moments for his team.
Against then-No. 5 LSU in Week 6, Cleveland made consecutive significant plays on UF punts. His tackle on the Tigers’ return man resulted in a 2-yard loss during LSU’s first punt return. He then forced a fair catch with his presence at the LSU 5-yard line during the Tigers’ second punt return opportunity.
Following a three-andout from LSU, Florida marched 43 yards for the game-tying touchdown.
“It’s just come out and just make plays for my team in a different way other than on offense,” Cleveland said. “I just come in, practice and try to work on my technique, and when game time comes, just make a play.”
Cleveland’s selflessness also shines through in his willingness to help children. He participated in the 13th annual Brandon Ling Memorial Sports Camp in October, which gives kids who’ve been diagnosed with cancer an afternoon of fun games and activities.
“It was very fun to come out with the kids and just take a break from football and just come out and support those guys,” Cleveland said. “And just have fun and throw the football around with them and just talk to them about life. … As an athlete, kids look up to you.”
Cleveland said he never had that inspiration growing up in Jacksonville and Houston. He said he hopes to use his platform now — and in the future — to help children who need a role model.
“Giving back. I’ve always liked that, and I always had a passion for that since I was little,” he said. “… Hopefully one day I can build me a center for kids just to give back. I just love the youth.”
That passion should serve him well Saturday against South Carolina (5-3, 4-3 SEC). The No. 15 Gators and Gamecocks face off at noon and the game will air on ESPN.
“I just like to compete and go out there and try to make plays and do something different then playing like a receiver,” Cleveland said. “So as punt, as gunner, trying to get down there and make a tackle for punt return.”