After observing Florida’s first spring practice and meeting with head coach Billy Napier, Gator Country provides our first Florida football notebook of spring camp.
Limited DJ Lagway
– Sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway will be limited throughout spring camp, Napier announced on Thursday.
“I think of some lower body, some shoulder. I think our intentions here are to be very smart. I do think he’ll be limited to throwing activities, but he’ll participate in all practices otherwise,” Napier said on Lagway.
It should be noted that Lagway dealt with a shoulder injury last season in preparation for Florida’s week one game vs Miami. Lagway spoke about that injury after the Samford game.
“That was really difficult. That definitely was messing with my mental a little bit. I had a little something going on before the Miami game with my shoulder. So it was just like just got to be ready for my opportunity, and I wasn’t going to let a shoulder lose the opportunity,” Lagway said on Sep. 7th.
Lagway also suffered a hamstring injury vs Georgia on Nov. 2nd, which sidelined him for the rest of the contest and vs Texas.
“We’ve done a lot of homework here relative to the things that he went through as a player. I mean, he was an absolute warrior and a great competitor that showed toughness. And we’ve consulted with quite a few experts here from a UF Health and from a national perspective, as we do with a lot of our players in terms of second opinions. So I think in general, he’ll be able to do quite a bit, but there will be some limitations,” Napier said on Lagway being limited.
Napier mentioned that Lagway will still be involved in practices, noting that they may let him call plays in a seven-on-seven setting. During the media’s viewing period on Thursday, Lagway went through simulated reps (handoffs and dropping back), but did not throw a football.
Bryce Lovett at right tackle
– Napier announced that redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Bryce Lovett will start spring practice at right tackle. Gator Country observed Lovett playing right tackle alongside returning starting right guard Damieon George Jr.
“Bryce will be the right tackle today, but Bryce could play all five. We have a ton of confidence in him,” Napier said on Lovett.
Caden Jones, Devon Manuel, and Fletcher Westphal will also be competing for tackle spots.
Florida’s offensive line is seen as a strength of the team after returning over 5,000 career snaps from the four returning starters. Right tackle is the last piece to the puzzle.
Position changes
Every offseason there’s a number of minor position changes that are worth noting.
– Sophomore edge rusher LJ McCray has moved to JACK after playing the F position last year. This means that McCray will have more responsibility in pass coverage.
“We’ve moved LJ over to JACK, which I think has been beneficial. He also has the position flex to be able to play F, which he played last year,” Napier said on McCray.
– Redshirt senior offensive lineman Kamryn Waites has been moved inside. He’s played both tackle and guard in his career, but UF will try Waites at guard in his final season.
– Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Marcus Mascoll has been moved to center.
“We’ve moved Mascoll to center; he’s had a good eight weeks,” Napier said on Mascoll.
“Marcus is awesome,” All-American center Jake Slaughter said on Mascoll. “Like, he’s a really smart kid. It’s one of those things where as soon as he gets the confidence, he gets the reps, he knows he can get it out quick, make his ID, make his call and get set, snap the ball and roll, he’s gonna be super special.”
– With Mascoll moving to center, redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Rod Kearney is primarily playing guard, according to Napier. Kearney has spent time at both center and guard at UF.
– With defensive backs Aaron Gates and Sharif Denson working their way back from injuries, a number of different players will get some run at the STAR position during spring camp.
Napier noted on a few guys that will get reps at STAR.
“I would say the three safety spots are all very much, from a concept standpoint, there’s a ton of carryover. So you’re going to see these rookies get an opportunity. And I think Josiah (Davis), Greg (Smith), Lagonza (Hayward), Drake (Stubbs), I think those four in particular are going to get, there’s a huge opportunity for them to take a ton of reps this week. So obviously (Aaron) Gates and Sharif (Denson). Gates will be not participating, and then Sharif will be limited and we fully anticipate getting him back at some point,” Napier said on the STAR position.
WR room
– A lot has been made about Florida’s wide receiver room after the departures of Chimere Dike and Elijah Badger to the NFL. The Gators opted to refuel the room with primarily younger talent, bringing in four guys from the high school ranks, three of which are on campus for spring. One player that caught my eye was Dallas Wilson. The 6’3, 209-pound receiver has an SEC ready body as a true freshman, displaying open field speed and quick feet in drills on Thursday.
– The one transfer addition at the position was J.Michael Sturdivant, who has put on over 15 pounds since his arrival, according to strength and conditioning coach Tyler Miles. Sturdivant is every bit of the 216 pounds he’s listed at.
“J-Mike is obviously his final year, kind of a decision NFL or draft. And I think just to get him 6-2 and a quarter, he weighed 214 pounds the other day, he’s already hit 23 miles an hour. He’s a 10.3 high school 100-meter guy, 20.69 — something like that — 200 guy. So I think the big-play potential is there. He’s also very smart, mature. He’s hit the ground running. He’s been impressive so far,” Napier said on Sturdivant.
Florida has a great combination of size and speed entering the 2025 season. The Gators just had Dike and Badger run a 4.34 and 4.46 40 yard dash at the NFL Combine. However, Napier says this years group is faster and more explosive, which is a promising comment.
“In general, that group is faster, more explosive,” Napier said. “I think the skill level’s been impressive so far, so it’s going to be a very, very competitive room.”
– Florida also returns Eugene Wilson from injury, who didn’t appear to have any setbacks on Thursday, despite practicing in a non-contact jersey.