Five Florida Gators I want to receive more playing time in week six vs UCF.
CB Dijon Johnson
Dijon Johnson’s role has expanded over the last three games due to injuries within the cornerback room, logging 30+ snaps in every game since Samford. Even still, he’s only played in 36.4% of defensive snaps for the Gators. Johnson’s play should earn him more snaps against UCF. In 40 coverage snaps, Johnson has allowed just two receptions for nine yards on four targets, posting the lowest NFL passer rating against in the Gators’ secondary. He grades as Florida’s best defensive back in coverage. It’s a small sample size, but the 6’1, 200-pound cornerback has been highly effective. Florida needs a lockdown cornerback across from senior Jason Marshall, and I believe Johnson could be that guy moving forward.
EDGE Jack Pyburn
Florida is still looking for the right personnel coming off the edge as nobody has been able to consistently pressure the quarterback this season. Junior edge rusher Jack Pyburn has found an expanded role over the last two weeks, logging 25+ snaps in week three and four. Pyburn has only had 20 chances to rush the quarterback this season but holds the highest ‘win rate’ among Florida defensive lineman at 11.8%. Pyburn has been able to effectively set the edge as a run defender, which will be critical against a UCF team that has a dynamic rushing attack.
RB Jadan Baugh
Freshman running back Jadan Baugh might be the most explosive runner on Florida’s roster. Baugh has totaled 98 yards on just 10 carries for an average of 9.8 yards per carry. You see the same level of explosiveness on kick returns, where Baugh is averaging 30 yards a return, which would rank 6th in the country if he had enough kick returns to be eligible. He’s the reason the Gators rank 17th nationally in kick return average (24.67). The only blemish on Baugh’s resume to this point is his fumble into the endzone against Samford.
There’s a lot of deserving running backs on Florida’s roster, but Baugh is the future of the unit and is truly special with the ball in his hands. He needs an increased workload moving forward.
WR Aidan Mizell
Redshirt freshman receiver Aidan Mizell is coming off the best game of his career against Mississippi State, where the 6’1.5, 186-pound receiver hauled in a career high five receptions for 36 yards. Mizell had two 60+ yard touchdown receptions called back in this game as well.
Mizell has the ability to threaten defenses at all three levels, whether that’s vertically or in the screen game. Mizell needs the ball in his hands as he looks to build off his success in 2024.
OL Bryce Lovett
Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Bryce Lovett competed for a starting spot at guard this offseason, and although he didn’t come away with the job, his role has expanded each week of the season as the 6’5, 317-pound lineman continues to progress. Lovett is one of three Gators’ offensive lineman with more than 25 pass blocking snaps that hasn’t allowed a pressure this season, holding the 2nd highest pass blocking grade behind Jake Slaughter.
Lovett has only logged snaps at left guard this season in place for Knijeah Harris, but can play all five positions on the offensive line.