Gator Country predicts five potential breakout players in 2025.
For the purpose of this article, I will not be including sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway as there’s already significant amounts of hype surrounding him, although he could easily be considered a breakout candidate.
LB Myles Graham
Florida’s linebacker room could be considered the strength of the defense after returning four linebackers from last season, and rising sophomore Myles Graham is one I like to make a significant jump in 2025. A top ten linebacker in his class, Graham tallied 30 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and one sack, across 183 snaps in his freshman campaign. Graham’s playing time started to pick up in the second half of season, logging 31 snaps in a win vs LSU and 26 in a bowl game victory over Tulane. Graham seemed to be around the ball at all times, displaying his athleticism and physical strength which helped him shed blocks and close on the ball carrier. Graham graded as the third best run defender on the Gators’ defense last season, according to Pro Football Focus. The 6’1, 227-pound linebacker primarily played on first and second down but has all the tools to play three downs. In coverage, Graham allowed six receptions for 72 yards and two touchdowns on 11 targets. He also logged his first interception vs Tulane.
Graham is a natural leader in the middle of Florida’s defense and looked comfortable on the gridiron in year one. While there’s still a number of talented linebackers in the room, I expect Graham’s role to expand and the production to follow.
DL Jamari Lyons
After playing a critical depth role in 2023, Jamari Lyons suffered a broken ankle in fall camp ahead of the 2024 season, causing him to miss the entire year. Lyons was expected to take on a big role last season; the staff even indicated they viewed him as a starter. Throughout spring camp, I was pleasantly surprised with how well Lyons was moving around, even wearing the non-contact jersey. Lyons eventually shed the non-contact jersey and was a full participant in spring practice.
Lyons showed flashes as a redshirt freshman, totaling 20 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss across 183 snaps in 2023. Lyons held Florida’s 4th best tackling grade that year as he did not record a missed tackle, according to PFF.
There’s a massive opportunity for Lyons in 2025 with the interior defensive line lacking depth, and he’s likely to find a big role right away. Lyons is a versatile lineman that can play both interior positions but will likely spend most of his time at nose tackle this season.
WR J.Michael Sturdivant
It may not be right to put a former Freshman All-American on a breakout players list, but J.Michael Sturdivant’s production has steadily declined since his 2022 season with Cal, largely due to the mess at quarterback UCLA had over the last two years. The 6’3, 205-pound receiver has a skillset that pairs well with DJ Lagway’s strength. As an outside receiver, Sturdivant shows elite ability to track the ball and come down with contested catches, combining for 17 contested catches at an above 45% success rate over the last three seasons. In 2023, Sturdivant was targeted 30 times over 20+ air yards, receiving a route running grade of 94.7 on deep routes, according to PFF. This pairs well with Lagway’s unheard of deep ball accuracy. Sturdivant’s rare blend of size, speed, and play making ability make him my candidate to lead Florida in receiving yards and touchdowns in 2025.
OL Bryce Lovett
Florida’s offensive line should be one of the top units in the country entering 2025 after returning four of five starting linemen from last season. Redshirt sophomore Bryce Lovett is expected to get the first shot at replacing Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson at right tackle after logging 362 snaps as a primary reserve offensive lineman last year. Lovett played mostly guard until the Gators’ bowl game vs Tulane, where Lovett got the start at right tackle and performed admirably. In 39 pass blocking snaps vs the Green Wave, Lovett allowed just one pressure while posting a pass blocking grade of 82.5, according to PFF. The 6’5, 326-pound offensive lineman has put a ton of work in since his freshman year to transform his body, and you’re seeing that translate to the field. Lovett has trained at all five positions throughout his time in Gainesville, which can be valuable in itself.
Edge George Gumbs Jr.
You’d be hard pressed to find anyone on Florida’s roster that looks quite like George Gumbs Jr. Teammate Tyreak Sapp once compared his body to one that’s been in a penitentiary for a few years.
“I call him the Avenger. When he takes his shirt off you would think he’s been in the penitentiary a few years,” Sapp said on Gumbs Jr.
One could argue Gumbs Jr. broke out last season after five sacks and eight tackles for loss, but I believe the redshirt senior has much more left in his tank in 2025. The former NIU tight end didn’t even start playing defense until the 2023 season, where he logged 3.5 sacks with the Huskies. He followed that up with a five-sack season in his first year in the SEC. Gumbs is slated to play the JACK position with LJ McCray, Jayden Woods, and Kofi Asare.
Gumbs was a raw athlete when he showed up in Gainesville but was still able to find success in year one. With another offseason under his belt, Gumbs could be a force on Florida’s defensive line as he continues to improve. The 6’4, 253-pound edge rusher is an elite athlete with burst off the line of scrimmage and bend to get around the tackles.