49ers QB Brock Purdy Reveals Florida Gators Fandom Before Super Bowl Debut

At least four former Gators are expected under the lights of Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, Nev., on Sunday, with a fifth occupying a spot on the practice squad of one team.

The number becomes six, though, if you count a Gator at heart.

San Francisco starting quarterback Brock Purdy, who starred at Iowa State before his seventh round, No. 262 overall pick by the 49ers in 2022, revealed his Florida fandom during Super Bowl LVIII opening night on Monday.

Asked if his original college allegiance lies with one of the University of Arizona or Arizona State, given his roots in the Grand Canyon State of Pac-12 country, Purdy shared his appreciation instead for a Southeastern Conference squad from across the nation.

“Honestly, neither. I was actually a Florida Gator fan,” Purdy said, according to Noah Furtado of 247Sports. “I love [former UF quarterback and 2007 Heisman Trophy winner] Tim Tebow.”

The secret was out before Purdy confirmed his leaning, however, as pictures of the quarterback sporting Florida merchandise during his youth circulated across the internet last week.

A consensus three-star prospect in the 2018 recruiting class, Purdy did not collect a scholarship offer from Florida but did receive interest from a pair of SEC programs as a recruit, Alabama and Texas A&M.