Freshman linebacker Myles Graham will miss the remainder of spring camp after undergoing back surgery to resolve an issue he had from his high school days, as confirmed by Billy Napier during Florida’s Saturday press conference.
“Myles Graham, he had an injury coming in, we went through phase one and phase two, we kind of set a deadline, like hey when we get to spring break, if we feel like this is going to be a long-term issue, we want to go ahead and get it fixed, so we made that decision.”
Graham was not observed at Florida’s third spring practice and was spotted observing his unit from the sidelines in a non-contact jersey during the Gators’ 5th spring practice.
It’s expected that Graham will be back in action for fall camp.
STRONG FIRST IMPRESSION
The Buchholz High School product impressed his teammates and coaches throughout the offseason workout program and the first two spring practices.
“Stud. Stud. Myles Graham, he’s a stud,” junior linebacker Shemar James said on Graham. “My little bro now. I gotta coach him up, make him the best linebacker he can be. He’s got history here, so when he walks in, he’s ready to work. No slack at all. He’s physical, he can run, he can hit, he can disrupt, all that stuff. So, it’s kind of just getting him in the playbook so he can play fast.”
Co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Ron Roberts praised Graham’s athletic ability and his approach off the field.
“Well first you think you have to judge the person, you know what I mean. I think the person always helps the great athlete. There’s a ton of great athletes that don’t turn out to be great players. But the ones that got everything else, the way they approach their daily business, he’s been outstanding,” Roberts said on his first impressions of Graham.”[He’s] a tremendous athlete, you know, great hips can run, flip his hips do everything. He can play anything, you know what I mean? So, he’s been a pleasure to work with and it’s exciting.”
Tight end Arlis Boardingham chimed in on what he’s noticed from freshman defenders Myles Graham and LJ McCray.
“Their drive, they’re capable, their ability to work. They are wanting to grow, and they got some great leaders over there,” Boardingham said on the freshman defenders. “Shemar (James), (Derek) Wingo are helping them. You see them on the sideline, retaining criticism and just being able to take that and put it on the field. That’s what I noticed the most.”
Florida now has three linebackers in Shemar James, Derek Wingo, and Myles Graham who are in the process of returning from offseason surgeries.