The Florida Gators released their first depth chart of the 2026 season ahead of their season opener against FAU inside The Swamp.
Here are my thoughts and takeaways on the depth chart.
Cormani McClain OR J’Vari Flowers at CB2
Sophomore cornerback Ben Hanks III was listed as a starter, which shouldn’t come as much of a surprise given how Jon Sumrall and Brad White have raved about him throughout the offseason.
Perhaps the biggest surprise on the depth chart was that senior Dijon Johnson wasn’t listed as a starter — or even an OR. That could be due in part to his health this offseason, which limited his opportunities to compete for a starting spot.
Instead, the second cornerback position will be occupied by either Cormani McClain or J’Vari Flowers. McClain recorded two interceptions in two scrimmages this fall.
I still expect all four corners to see significant playing time.
Heze Kent makes the two-deep
Another surprise was that freshman tight end Heze Kent made the two-deep. For transparency, Florida listed four tight ends, with two at TE (Y) and two at TE (H).
Kent weighed more than 313 pounds entering spring camp, and it didn’t appear that he would threaten anyone for playing time. But after losing nearly 30 pounds over the summer, Kent has risen up the depth chart thanks in part to his impressive ball skills this fall.
“Heze’s made as much improvement for a freshman as anybody on our team since January,” Jon Sumrall said on Monday. “In January, I would have told you there’s a low percentage chance Heze Kent was gonna be ready to compete and play this year and then through the summer, I’m like, okay, this guy’s got a shot. And then in training camp he just got better.”
It’s also interesting that he’s listed as the backup Y tight end, which is the in-line tight end. While Kent has the size, he’ll need to improve as a blocker. Amir Jackson and Luke Harping will be your H tight ends.
All five running backs listed
Florida listed all five scholarship running backs, which is unlike any other position on the depth chart. This is likely a vote of confidence in the room. Florida trusts all five running backs and will find creative ways to get them on the field. I expect the top three to be Jadan Baugh, Evan Pryor and Duke Clark, as reflected on the depth chart.
J’Vari Flowers and London Montgomery on kick return
We knew sophomore wide receiver Vernell Brown III would take the punt return job after thriving in that role as a true freshman, but kick return was up for grabs. It appears cornerback J’Vari Flowers and transfer running back London Montgomery will handle those duties.
Flowers was a dynamic returner in high school with verified track speed, while Montgomery returned five kickoffs for 114 yards, including a long of 53 yards, last season at East Carolina.
Jeramiah McCloud earns starting defensive tackle spot
Sophomore defensive tackle Jeramiah McCloud was named a starter over Joseph Mbatchou. This wasn’t much of a surprise — Gator Country predicted McCloud to win the job a week ago — but it was one of the few position battles we were watching closely.
Florida lists Brendan Bett and Joseph Mbatchou at nose guard and Jeramiah McCloud, DK Kalu and Jamari Lyons at defensive tackle, although all of them are cross-trained at both positions.
No starter named for defensive end
Florida didn’t name a starter at defensive end, listing an OR between Kamran James, LJ McCray and Emmanuel Oyebadejo. This will be the position group to watch going forward in terms of snap counts and playing time. Will someone emerge from the group? How will the rotations work? Will Oyebadejo move inside on passing downs?