Florida edge rusher Tyreak Sapp was one of the more productive players on the Gators’ defense last season, leading the team in sacks (7), tackles for loss (13), and fumble recoveries (2). Sapp’s defensive grade of 90.4 was the highest on the Gators and ranked 9th amongst edge rushers in college football (third in the SEC), according to Pro Football Focus.
Sapp’s career year in 2024 left him with a decision to make: Test the waters in the NFL or return to UF for his 5th and final season of college football. The latter was his decision.
“Unfinished business. My teammates, those young guys. I couldn’t look those young guys in the eyes without giving them one more time,” Sapp said on his decision to return. “This program, everything that it’s done for me. I wanted to pay this program my full service and just give it everything I got one last time for everybody before me and after me.”
“Just my family, close friends, a few of my teammates that I’m close with. It went into making the decision,” Sapp added. “Talking to coach, some big picture stuff. It was almost like a no-brainer. I just wanted to confirm everything, make sure everything was going to be smooth and that I could be able to put my best foot forward and go out like I want to.”
Not only does Florida get a really good football player back on the roster, but they return a veteran leader who serves as a mentor to the entire defense. Sapp leads by example on and off the field.
“It starts with him being a really good player, but the sidebar, which is what a lot of people don’t see, is hit mentality every day when he comes to practice,” defensive coordinator Ron Roberts said on Sapp. “He’s kind of a lunch pail guy. He’s gonna work. High motor, high intensity. That’s what you want…he sets a standard every day for work ethic.”
While the Fort Lauderdale, Florida native graded as one of the best edge rushers in the country last year, Sapp believes he still has more to prove. The 274-pound defensive lineman has bounced around from edge to interior throughout his collegiate career but has seemingly found a home at the F position. Sapp posted a ‘win rate’ of 15.8% on true pass sets, which ranked 2nd on the Gators behind Caleb Banks.
“I feel good about it but I know the job isn’t finished,” Sapp said on his 2024 season. “I feel like it’s a lot of opportunity, a lot of opportunity out there for me. I feel like that’s what this year and this offseason is for me, just being able to get a little more off the ball. Yes, I got a whole lot off last year but I feel like there’s always more. I know I can improve. I know there’s things in my game I can improve on and that I am going to improve on. Just take it day-by-day and understand the work, get after it every day with my teammates. Take feedback from my coaches and apply that to my game. It felt good to put that out there but I know I’ve got a whole lot more and it’s going to be real exciting to watch me this season.”
With Florida losing Jack Pyburn and TJ Searcy to the transfer portal, the Gators’ edge unit will look a little different in 2025. However, Florida did return Kam James, George Gumbs, and LJ McCray, who will all take on a significant role next season. The Gators also added freshman Jayden Woods and Jalen Wiggins as well as UMass transfer Kofi Asare.
“Highly talented. That’s one thing I can say. A whole lot of talent. A whole lot of youth. We can use that to our advantage,” Sapp said on the edge room. “Me being a vet, my job is just to bring those guys along and help them understand the sense of urgency you’ve gotta have to play here. Getting a hold of the scheme and try to make it easier for the young guys, not make it overwhelming and try to bring it down for them and help them understand this is how you do it, step by step. That’s the main thing. The future is bright for us. Just got to keep on working.”
Sapp has stayed at the University of Florida throughout a head coaching change, multiple defensive line coaches, and three losing seasons. Sapp wants to be part of a positive change. He’s doing that through his leadership, work ethic, and play on the football field.
“Our main goal is just trying to be the most dominant defense in the country, and every day, just going to work towards that,” Sapp said. “No matter what happens, no matter who we lose, it’s always going to be the next man up. And everybody got to be able to hold their end of the rope. And we all have the ability to trust each other and stay in the fox hole with each other.”