You know it’s football season when you see the most random jerseys in the oddest of places.

OK, so it’s technically not football season yet, but its getting close. I was in Tampa last weekend with my daughter at a Rays game. While there, I saw someone in the stands wearing a Kenyatta Walker Bucs jersey. I guess that guy didn’t get the memo.

While Walker may not be gearing up for the start of preseason games next week, several former Gators are back in pads, or soon to be back.

Among those expected to return soon is Kevin Carter. The veteran defensive lineman went through the summer unsigned, but has gotten a lot of interest in the last two weeks.

Carter is expected to make a few visits this week before deciding on his next destination, but early word is that New England is his most likely landing spot.

Harold Lewis, Carter’s agent, told CBSSportsline.com that money was not an issue with his client and that he would be very interested in signing with the Patriots. Lewis spoke recently with the Patriots, who were interested in meeting with Carter some time this week.

Carter’s signing in New England would pair him with another former Gator-turned-Patriot, Fred Taylor, who is in the midst of his first training camp away from Jacksonville.

Other former Gators learning the ropes on a new team are Mike Peterson (Atlanta), Rex Grossman (Houston), Lito Sheppard (N.Y. Jets), Keiwan Ratliff (Pittsburgh), Marquand Manuel (Detroit), Tavares Washington (Kansas City) and Jabar Gaffney (Denver).

The Broncos boast the most former Gators in camp with five, depending on whether former first-round pick Jarvis Moss decides to play or head into early retirement. Denver’s first-year head coach Josh McDaniels, already under fire for his handling of the Jay Cutler trade rumors over the offseason, excused Moss from practice earlier this week, saying that he had to deal with some “very personal issues” and asking that Moss be left alone to deal with them.

It has been reported that Moss, 25, told McDaniels last weekend that he no longer had the drive to play the sport and was considering retirement. Moss currently has two years remaining on rookie his contract that paid him a guaranteed $8 million.

Moss returned to practice Tuesday, three days and five practices after originally leaving. If he had stayed away or retired, he may have been forced to repay up to $3.6 million of his signing bonus to Denver.

If he is released before the season, he won’t owe them anything.

Joining Moss and Gaffney in Denver are Andra Davis, who finished last season on injured reserve in Cleveland, Chad Jackson and Marcus Thomas.

Several players are looking to jump-start their careers after either disappointing starts or past injuries. Travis Taylor was signed in December by the Lions and hopes to get a rhythm with top pick Matthew Stafford quickly enough to earn a spot on the roster.

Dallas Baker suffered through some critical dropped passes last season and was cut by the Steelers, only to be re-signed to the practice squad days later. Baker is looking to regain his footing, and his hands, in a receiving corp already loaded with talent.

Reports have said that Baker has looked good in early practices, but he will have to show a lot of growth to be retained into the season. He’s listed as far back as seventh on some online depth charts and as high as third, battling against former Texas Longhorn standout Limas Sweed among others.

Jackson was signed by the Broncos late last season after the team suffered multiple injuries to its wideouts. Despite sparse playing opportunities, he was asked to come back for a second look with the team.

Ian Scott could be the player most primed for a breakout season. After a solid start to his career in Chicago, Scott has battled injury after injury on his way to San Diego. He was placed on injured reserve by the Eagles in 2007 and cut by the Panthers in 2008 before getting picked up the Chargers in late September last season.

Scott, who played defensive tackle with the Bears, was moved to defensive end in the Chargers 3-4 scheme. He’s expected see some time in the middle but should be a part of the team’s four-man defensive end rotation this season.

It helps Scott’s case that the Chargers defense is led by Ron Rivera, who led the Bears’ defense while he was in Chicago.

A few new faces are looking to make a splash in the league after successful runs at UF. First-round pick Percy Harvin is signed and practicing in Minnesota. Joe Cohen is looking to catch on in Miami. Cornelius Ingram is showing no signs of his knee injury bothering him in Philadelphia. And Louis Murphy is looking to continue impressing onlookers in Oakland.

Among the list of former Gators currently not on rosters, Ike Hilliard’s name stands out the most. The veteran receiver went unsigned through the summer, and his camp has been very quiet as to possible interest from other clubs. It may take a couple of preseason games, and a few inevitable injuries, to create an opening for Hilliard, but if he’s still interested in playing, some team will certainly give him a shot before the season starts.

Here’s a look at who is playing where during training camps:
Mike Peterson (Atlanta)
Alex Brown (Chicago)
Andre Caldwell (Cincinnati)
Andra Davis (Denver)
Jabar Gaffney (Denver)
Chad Jackson (Denver)
Jarvis Moss (Denver)
Marcus Thomas (Denver)
Travis Taylor (Detroit)
Marquand Manuel (Detroit)
DeShawn Wynn (Green Bay)
Rex Grossman (Houston)
Derrick Harvey (Jacksonville)
Jeremy Mincey (Jacksonville)
Reggie Nelson (Jacksonville)
Tavares Washington (Kansas City)
Joe Cohen (Miami)
Channing Crowder (Miami)
Percy Harvin (Minnesota)
Bobby McCray (New Orleans)
Fred Taylor (New England)
Lito Sheppard (N.Y. Jets)
Cooper Carlisle (Oakland)
Louis Murphy (Oakland)
Gerard Warren (Oakland)
Cornelius Ingram (Philadelphia)
Dallas Baker (Pittsburgh)
Keiwan Ratliff (Pittsburgh)
Max Starks (Pittsburgh)
Billy Latsko (San Diego)
Ian Scott (San Diego)
Brandon Siler (San Diego)
Todd Johnson (St. Louis)
Earnest Graham (Tampa Bay)
Jevon Kearse (Tennessee)