Florida football is right around the corner, with fall camp set to begin on Aug. 5. Gator Country’s roster preview series continues with a look the edge rushers. If you missed it, be sure to check out our interior defensive line preview.
For the sake of simplicity, I’m combining the JACK position with the defensive ends for this preview.
JACK
So. Jayden Woods
Florida’s ability to keep Jayden Woods out of the transfer portal may go down as its biggest recruiting win of the offseason. As a true freshman in 2025, Woods led the Gators with 3.5 sacks, ranked third on the team with five tackles for loss, and added an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
The 6-foot-3, 244-pound edge rusher consistently won at the line of scrimmage, posting a team-best 20.3% pass-rush win rate on true pass sets, according to Pro Football Focus. He wins with an explosive first step, exceptional bend around the edge, closing speed, and a relentless motor.
Woods has all the tools to establish himself as one of the SEC’s premier edge rushers in his sophomore season.
Fr. KJ Ford
KJ Ford is someone the Gators may struggle to keep off the field. As the No. 153 overall prospect and No. 18 edge rusher in the 2026 class, Ford impressed coaches with a strong spring and summer.
At 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, Ford already has the size and strength to compete in the SEC. He uses his length, powerful hands and fluid movement to shed blocks and disrupt plays in the backfield. He was routinely in the backfield during Florida’s Orange and Blue spring game.
Veteran linebacker and team leader Myles Graham even singled out Ford as a freshman to watch during the 2026 SEC Media Days.
Ford is expected to serve as Jayden Woods’ primary backup at the JACK position.
R-Sr. Kofi Asare
After transferring to Florida last offseason, Kofi Asare appeared in all 12 games, totaling 154 defensive snaps. He recorded 19 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack.
Asare possesses unique length at 6-foot-5, 244 pounds, but he’ll need to improve as a pass rusher if he wants to carve out a significant role in 2026.
Defensive end
Sr. Kamran James
Kamran James returns to Florida for his fourth season of eligibility. James played in all 12 games in 2025, totaling 402 defensive snaps. He recorded 44 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and tied for the team lead with 3.5 sacks. He also added two pass breakups.
It was by far the most productive season of James’ career, but he still appears to have another level he can reach. At 6-foot-6, 280 pounds, James has ideal length for the position. He’s also an impressive athlete who maintains good balance and body control as a pass rusher.
If James takes another step forward in year four, he could become a staple of Florida’s defense under Brad White.
Sr. Emmanuel Oyebadejo
One of Florida’s most unique and intriguing additions this offseason was Jacksonville State transfer Emmanuel Oyebadejo, a 6-foot-6, 303-pound edge rusher.
Grading as Jacksonville State’s top defender, Oyebadejo recorded 41 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, five pass breakups and two forced fumbles across 14 games in 2025. He also generated a team-high 36 pressures, including five quarterback hits.
Oyebadejo isn’t a finished product, but his combination of size, speed and athleticism makes him one of the more intriguing players on Florida’s defensive line. You simply don’t see many players built like him.
Florida moved him around the defensive line during the spring, and it’s likely the Gators continue to utilize his versatility during the season given their depth at defensive end. A move inside on passing downs could provide a significant boost to the defensive line.
R-So. LJ McCray
LJ McCray hasn’t yet lived up to the expectations that came with being the No. 1 defensive lineman in the 2024 class, and an injury last season that sidelined him for nearly the entire year didn’t help his development.
Defensive coordinator Brad White was pleased with the effort McCray put in early in the offseason to transform his body, and head coach Jon Sumrall later noted that McCray had elevated his game and was flashing during spring scrimmages.
Florida’s staff wants McCray to continue improving as a striker and fine-tuning his technique, but he’s a slippery edge rusher for someone who stands at 6-foot-6, 270 pounds.
R-Fr. Jalen Wiggins
Jalen Wiggins played in just three games last season, totaling 18 defensive snaps and two tackles. Wiggins missed spring camp while recovering from a hip injury suffered in 2025.
The 6-foot-5, 272-pound edge rusher is part of a room that might be the deepest on the Gators’ defense. He’ll need a productive fall to put himself in the mix for playing time.
Fr. JaReylan McCoy
JaReylan McCoy is a true freshman edge rusher who ranked as the No. 181 overall prospect and No. 22 defensive lineman in the 2026 recruiting class. His frame immediately stands out at 6-foot-7, 271 pounds.
McCoy recorded 18.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks as a senior for Tupelo High School.
Final thoughts
This is a unit that could surprise some people in 2026, as Florida has plenty of options on the edge. The Gators have legitimate size and athleticism at defensive end, along with the flexibility to move players inside on passing downs. Jayden Woods and KJ Ford should form an excellent JACK room if they both stay healthy.
The ceiling for this group is very high. A breakout season from LJ McCray or Emmanuel Oyebadejo could take this unit to the next level.