Florida's Jalen Tabor changes given name to Teez

Jalen Tabor no longer plays for Florida. Teez Tabor has taken his place.

The junior defensive back elected to change his given name from Jalen to Teez, according to Scott Carter from floridagators.com. Tabor claims the switch is to connect with his roots, as many from his childhood referred to the preseason All-American as Teez growing up.

"If you call me Teez, you know me," Tabor said. "If you call me Jalen, you just know of me."

Tabor prefers the nickname over his given name, and has officially requested the Florida communications staff to make all necessary changes. Tabor cites his brother, Roger, for giving him the name.

"He knew that would get me irritated," Teez said. "It would make me mad."

The name still remains under his skin, but in a much different way, as he sports a "Teez" tattoo on his right forearm. Teez's mother, Merri Tabor, supports her son for making the choice on his own.

"He can do it," Merri said. "It wasn't really a big deal (when he told me)."