After flashing enormous potential last season and heading into next the spring with some buzz, Florida’s linebacker room in 2025 looks to be one of the more talented units the Gators have had at linebacker in recent memory. With players like Myles Graham and Aaron Chiles combining for 52 total tackles as true freshmen, it’s clear that Florida’s youth in the box is something to be excited about heading into spring camp.
With former three-year starter Shemar James leaving for the NFL draft, the Gators will return four linebackers with experience while looking to rely on talented youth scattered throughout Florida’s linebacker room.
With Florida’s Orange and Blue Spring game kicking off on April 12th, Gator Country previews Florida’s linebacker room as we roll into spring practice on March 6th.
Jr. Grayson Howard
The former South Carolina Gamecock transferred to Florida last season and didn’t disappoint through his nine games played before suffering an injury that kept him sidelined for the remainder of the 2024 season. Playing next to Shemar James in the box, the 6-4, 238-pound linebacker looked the part after totaling 37 total tackles, two tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, one pass defended and a sack.
Even while missing multiple games last season, Howard ranked 9th in team total tackles (third amongst Florida linebackers), while also finishing the season with a run defense grade of 84.2, according to PFF. It’s hard to say who will be the most productive linebacker for the Gators in 2025, but the Jacksonville native has a good shot at leading the pack when September rolls around.
Jr. Jaden Robinson
A player who didn’t get talked about enough last season at all was 6-0.25, 230-pound linebacker Jaden Robinso, who is set to play his third season as a Gator in 2025. Compared to his freshman season where Robinson got snaps in 12 games played but recorded only four tackles, the junior made a huge leap in his sophomore season totaling 52 tackles (5th-highest on team), 3.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks (4th-highest on team).
Jaden Robinson was also arguably Florida’s best defensive player in two tough losses last season. Against the Aggies, Robinson led the Gators in tackles with eight total and was Florida’s highest-graded defensive player against Tennessee with an 82.4 PFF grade. I expect Jaden Robinson to continue improving while being a key piece in Florida’s linebacker rotation in his third season as a Gator. Robinson eats when it comes to getting in the backfield and reminds me a lot of former Gators linebacker and newly hired assistant coach David Reese. If you need a tackle, Robinson will get it.
So. Myles Graham
After showing he deserved to be on the field for the Gators as a true freshman, the Gator legacy made sure he left a lasting impact when it came to his production on the field for the Gators. Florida native Myles Graham didn’t look like a true freshman last season and his numbers speak for themselves. The 6-0.75, 228-pounds linebacker was a problem for opposing offenses last season recording 30 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, one pass defended and an interception.
Graham’s best performance during his freshman campaign was against the LSU Tigers in an upset win recording a career-high seven total tackles and grading as Florida’s second highest-graded defensive player in that game (80.0 PFF grade). The former Freshman All-American has starting potential and I expect him to see the field more in 2025.
So. Aaron Chiles
The former freshman linebacker was not an early enrollee for the Gators in the 2024 class, but it was obvious from the start that 6-2.5, 234-pound linebacker Aaron Chiles was SEC ready ever since his senior year of high school. As a true freshman in 2024, the Maryland native recorded 22 total tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack and one pass defended after appearing in all 13 games last season.
Chiles also had his best game as a Florida Gator in the upset win over LSU recording three total tackles and finishing with an 68.5 PFF grade, which was his highest grade of the season. I expect Chiles to rotate constantly behind Myles Graham in 2025 with his ability to get out in space.
Fr. Ty Jackson
Arguably one of the best players in the Gators’ 2025 class is linebacker Ty Jackson out of Loxahatchee, Florida. In four seasons played at Seminole Ridge High School, the 6-1, 200-pound linebacker recorded an impressive 391 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, six sacks, five forced fumbles and four interceptions. Jackson was also one of Florida’s six signees that participated in the 2025 Under Armour All-America game, which was the most out of any other program in the country this year.
As a prospect, the four-star linebacker held 29 total offers and was listed as the No. 12 linebacker and No. 123 overall prospect in the 2025 class, according to 247Sports composite rankings. With his athletic frame, Jackson also played receiver as a junior and recorded 389 receiving yards with six total touchdowns. With his ability to drop back into coverage, change direction and break through opposing offensive lines, I would be shocked if the four-star doesn’t slide into the rotation in 2025.
Fr. Myles Johnson
Aside from Naeshaun Montgomery, three-star linebacker Myles Johnson is one of those players in Florida’s 2025 class that is better than advertised. As a prospect, Johnson was listed as the No. 65 linebacker and No. 593 overall prospect in the 2025 class, according to 247Sports composite rankings. The former Alabama commit held only one offer from Liberty University before Nick Saban and then-defensive coordinator Kevin Steele gave Johnson his second scholarship offer. Before backing off his pledge to the Tide, Johnson was claimed to be “Nick Saban’s final recruiting find”, according to The Athletic.
I think we can expect both Ty Jackson and Myles Johnson to get snaps next season with the Gators only having four linebackers with experience heading into next season. I think the rotation will be very similar to what we saw with Myles Graham and Aaron Chiles as true freshmen. The Gators needed more bodies that they can rely on in the box, and that’s exactly what they got in the 2025 class.
Projected depth chart:
MLB: Myles Graham OR Jaden Robinson, Myles Johnson
ILB: Grayson Howard, Aaron Chiles, Ty Jackson