Ivey has enjoyed ride, looks to finish career on high note

GAINESVILLE — Growing up in Apopka, Martez Ivey always wanted to play for the Florida Gators.

As his dream nears an end, Ivey looks to leave on a high note, with the program in better shape than he found it.

The next three games, including Ivey’s final two in the Swamp, will help shape the opinion of Ivey’s senior class along with head coach Dan Mullen’s first season in Gainesville.

Two weeks ago, Florida returned to the top 10 in the national rankings for the first time since Ivey’s freshman season but just as quickly lost two games by a combined 40 points.

The dramatic highs and lows are nothing new for Ivey. Recruited by Will Muschamp and signed in 2015 by Jim McElwain, he has played in two SEC title games and two New Year’s Day bowls. Ivey also suffered through a 4-7 2017 season and McElwain’s ouster.

While it’s been a rollercoaster, the 23-year-old left tackle said he has enjoyed the ride.

“I don’t know how I’ll feel when it’s all said and done and it’s my last game here,” he said Tuesday. “But I wouldn’t trade it for nothing in the world.”

Ivey has squeezed everything he could out his college experience.

On Saturday, he will make his team-leading 43rd start — and 21st straight — for the No. 15 Gators (6-3, 4-3 SEC) when South Carolina (5-3, 4-3) visits the Swamp. Ivey’s availability week after week is a testament to his toughness and determination.

“To me, when you look at Martez, at times I feel just bad for him,” offensive line coach John Hevesy said. “In three years being here he’s had every injury known to man. I don’t know if there’s one he hasn’t had.

“To me every day he’s showed up with his lunch pail working, and I love him for it.”

Much of Ivey’s drive is rooted in his love for the Gators. Ivey learned the game when UF ruled college football behind Tim Tebow and Co.

“I mean, I grew up wanting to go to Florida always,” Ivey said. “I dreamed about playing in the Swamp.”

The fall before he signed with Florida, Ivey was emotionally moved as he watched Andre Debose, a high school legend in the Orlando area, address the crowd during the team’s Senior Day.

“He was on everybody’s shoulder pads and he was crying,” Ivey recalled. “It just showed how much it meant to be a Gator, now much it meant for him to have the logo on his chest and just to play in the Swamp.”

Ivey has worn the orange and blue proudly.

Yet he has not always played up to the level of excellence expected of him as the nation’s No. 1 offensive line recruit in the 2015 class.

Injuries and offseason surgeries early in his career limited his ability to build his body. Ivey also spent his first two seasons at left guard before moving out to tackle.

Yet, Ivey still had every opportunity this past winter to leave school early for the NFL. Instead, he decided to dedicate himself to Nick Savage’s grueling offseason program and help get Mullen’s Gators on track.

“I wasn’t really concerned about it benefiting me,” Ivey said. “I want to leave on the right note. Right now that’s what I’m trying to finish, leaving on the right note, not leaving on the 4-7. Forget that.

“That’s not the Florida Gators, and that’s not what we represent.”