Florida football is near. In exactly one week, the Gators will take the practice field for the start of fall camp. Expectations are as high as they’ve been under Billy Napier, who enters his fourth year as head coach. Fall is a different dynamic than spring as the players start to separate themselves while the staff establishes roles ahead of week one.
Gator Country takes a look at five position battles you should keep an eye on throughout fall camp.
Linebacker
Florida’s linebacker unit is likely the most competitive on the roster. The Gators lost Shemar James to the NFL but returned four guys who will compete for playing time in 2025. Junior linebackers Jaden Robinson and Grayson Howard are the veterans in the room with 502 and 501 career snaps respectively. Robinson played in all 12 games including four starts last season and ranked second amongst Florida linebackers in snaps with 438, trailing only Shemar James. Howard started Florida’s first nine games before missing the rest of the season due to injury.
The Gators also have two top six linebackers from the 2024 recruiting class in Myles Graham and Aaron Chiles in the mix. Graham logged 183 snaps as a true freshman but saw his playing time pick up in the back half of the season. Graham posted a defensive grade of 68.2, the highest among Florida linebacker’s last season. Chiles logged 130 snaps last season.
While not the most experienced group, the battle for playing time among these four talented linebackers is worth keeping tabs on.
WR3 and depth
It’s fair to assume that Eugene Wilson III, a third-year receiver that’s started just about every game he’s played in at UF, will be a starting wide receiver in 2025. I think you can throw UCLA transfer J.Michael Sturdivant in that group as well. Outside of those two, there’s not much clarity on who will be the third wide receiver or how the rotation will shake out.
From an experience standpoint, it seems as if Aidan Mizell would be the next in line for snaps. The redshirt sophomore logged 258 snaps last season including three starts and was the main replacement for the injured Eugene Wilson III. It’s not as easy as having experience, however. Florida’s freshman wide receiver Dallas Wilson put together and impressive spring camp and looks every bit the part of a starting SEC receiver in year one, a dominant one at that.
There are other freshmen receivers worth keeping an eye on as well as Vernell Brown III and Naeshaun Montgomery could find their way into the rotation. You also have a pair of second year receivers in TJ Abrams and Tank Hawkins that are looking to find a larger role in 2025.
This is a battle for playing time, and one that might continue throughout the season.
CB2
After losing cornerbacks Jason Marshall Jr. and Trikweze Bridges to the NFL Draft as well as Ja’Keem Jackson to the portal, the Gators have a starting cornerback spot up for grabs alongside returning starter Devin Moore.
Florida had a laundry list of injuries in the secondary last year which meant different players were getting their chance to shine. Dijon Johnson was called on the most, logging 550 snaps a season ago including 278 in Florida’s final four games. Cormani McClain also found the gridiron, albeit just 111 snaps across three games. McClain had ups and downs throughout his sophomore year, highlighted by a stellar performance vs Kentucky where he didn’t allow a reception on three targets. McClain recorded a pick six and one pass break up vs the Wildcats. McClain has reportedly put on muscle and is expected to compete for the starting job.
JACK
The edge rushing unit is another group that will be highly competitive during fall camp. At JACK specifically (weak side edge), the Gators have four guys that will battle for playing time. George Gumbs Jr. is the most experienced having led all UF edge rushers last year with 435 snaps. Sophomore edge LJ McCray switched to JACK in the offseason where he will look for more playing time in year two. McCray was the No.1 defensive lineman in the 2024 high school class and holds a high ceiling with his athletic traits.
While Gumbs Jr. and McCray will likely battle for a starting role and split most of the snaps, the Gators have transfer Kofi Asare and freshman Jayden Woods in the mix for playing time.
Second Team Offensive Line
Much like the wide receiver room, I’m interested to see how the second team offensive line shakes out, and who the reserves are that will work their way into games. Florida is currently training 16 scholarship offensive lineman, which should create fierce competition in the two deep. Depth is critical along the offensive line so establishing your top seven or eight offensive lineman will be imperative during fall camp. In all three years under Napier, Florida has used seven offensive linemen for at least 200 snaps on the season. So while you should feel really good about four starting offensive linemen returning, there’s questions that need to be answered relative to depth during fall camp.
Redshirt sophomore Roderick Kearney has received a ton of praise for his work ethic and position versatility. The 6’4, 307-pound lineman is seen as someone who could provide depth at all three interior positions. Redshirt seniors Kamryn Waites and Devon Manuel are in positions to provide depth at guard and tackle respectively. Redshirt freshman Fletcher Westphal and redshirt sophomore Caden Jones will battle for a depth role at tackle. Redshirt freshmen Jason Zandamela and Marcus Mascoll will compete at center behind All-American center Jake Slaughter.
Thanks for the breakdowns