We are less than two weeks away from Florida football. The Gators open their 2024 season against the Miami Hurricanes on August 31st inside the Swamp.
While position battles are ongoing throughout fall camp, Gator Country provides you our week one depth chart projection.
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Starter: Graham Mertz
Backup: DJ Lagway
Third string: Clay Millen
Graham Mertz is Florida’s starting quarterback in 2024 unless he suffers an injury. DJ Lagway will start his collegiate career as one of the more talented backup quarterbacks in the country and is expected to receive playing time throughout the season.
Running back
Starter: Montrell Johnson
Backup: Trey Webb
Third string: Ja’Kobi Jackson, Jadan Baugh
Montrell Johnson is still working his way back from a knee injury, so it’s unclear whether he will be healthy enough to suit up against Miami in two weeks. I’m listing him as the starter for now, but if he’s unable to go it will be Treyaun Webb that gets the call. You will likely also see Ja’Kobi Jackson and true freshman Jadan Baugh.
Wide receiver
WR-X: Eugene Wilson, Marcus Burke, Aidan Mizell
WR-Y: Chimere Dike, Andy Jean, Tank Hawkins
WR-Z: Kahliel Jackson, Elijhah Badger, TJ Abrams
Florida’s wide receiver room is one of the more talented position groups on the roster. The Gators have a ton of weapons, which will create healthy competition throughout the rest of fall camp and the 2024 season. Billy Napier has stated that Elijhah Badger is in the second tier of receivers behind Wilson, Dike, and Jackson, but I believe the Arizona State transfer will crack the starting offense sooner rather than later.
Tight end
TE: Arlis Boardingham, Amir Jackson, Keon Zipperer
TE: Hayden Hansen, Tony Livingston, Caleb Rillos, Gavin Hill
Florida will run a lot of 12-personnel, so Boardingham and Hansen will likely see a similar snap count in 2024. Tony Livingston appears to comfortably be Florida’s 3rd option, while the rest of the unit is still up for grabs.
Offensive line
LT: Austin Barber, Devon Manuel
LG: Knijeah Harris, Bryce Lovett
C: Jake Slaughter, Rod Kearney
RG: Damieon George, Kam Waites
RT: Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, Caden Jones
The right side of the line is something to watch as we approach the start of the season, but as of right now this is the starting group. Redshirt freshman Rod Kearney is a guy that’s been repping as Florida’s backup center, but also at all three interior positions. Bryce Lovett, Kam Waites, and Caden Jones are also guys to keep an eye on.
DEFENSE
Defensive line
DE: Justus Boone, Tyreak Sapp, Kam James or LJ McCray
NT: Cam Jackson, Desmond Watson, Michai Boireau
DT: Joey Slackman, Caleb Banks, Kelby Collins
OLB: TJ Searcy, George Gumbs, Jack Pyburn
The nose tackle depth took a hit after the loss of Jamari Lyons, who could play both interior positions. Cam Jackson, Joey Slackman, Caleb Banks, and Kelby Collins will need to hold down the defensive tackle spots in 2024. Florida is deep at defensive end and will likely utilize a healthy rotation this season.
Linebacker
MLB: Shemar James, Myles Graham, Jaden Robinson,
MLB: Pup Howard, Derek Wingo, Aaron Chiles
Junior linebacker Shemar James is the leader of the defense and will likely be the defender utilizing the helmet communication this season. Florida has a pair of freshman linebackers in Myles Graham and Aaron Chiles that may get some early run in 2024.
Cornerback
CB: Jason Marshall, Ja’Keem Jackson, Jameer Grimsley
CB: Devin Moore, Dijon Johnson
Florida has a very talented and deep secondary on paper. The Gators returned senior CB Jason Marshall, who is looking for a bounce back season. One of the main keys for Florida’s cornerback room is the health of junior cornerback Devin Moore. He’s simply been one of Florida’s best players on the field when he’s available.
STAR
S/N: Sharif Denson or Aaron Gates, Josiah Davis
Sharif Denson vs Aaron Gates may be one of the closest positions battles on the team with two weeks left until kickoff. Both will see playing time at the star position. Florida has also worked DJ Douglas and Asa Turner at the position, which Ron Roberts said will mostly be “situational.”
Safety
S: Jordan Castell, Bryce Thornton or Trikweze Bridges
S: Asa Turner, DJ Douglas
Jordan Castell and Asa Turner are expected to start at safety, who have both had promising off seasons. Florida has two more senior transfers they could turn to in Trikweze Bridges and DJ Douglas.