Football is a sport where injuries are commonplace, but the Florida Gators dealt with an alarming number of ailments throughout the 2024 season.
Four Gators are undergoing surgery today, Friday, Dec. 27, to repair those injuries sustained during the season, according to 247Sports’ Graham Hall. All of the procedures are “described as relatively minor.”
Cornerbacks [autotag]Devin Moore[/autotag] and [autotag]Dijon Johnson[/autotag] are both getting a procedure done to address labrum tears.
Moore, a junior, has battled injuries through all three years in Gainesville and missed Florida’s final five games, including the Gasparilla Bowl, after sustaining a shoulder injury against Georgia in the first week of November. Pro Football Focus gave Moore the second-highest defensive grade (71.6) among Florida’s cornerbacks this season, and he is in line to be the No. 1 corner for the Gators in 2025.
Johnson, a sophomore, moved into a starting role for Florida in the second half of the season with Moore and senior Jason Marshall Jr. out. He played 550 snaps for the Gators this season, many of which came while injured. He finished the year with 25 tackles (16 solo), two pass breakups and a tackle for loss.
PFF lists him as Florida’s third-highest-graded cornerback with a 66.4 overall defensive grade. Given the current roster, Johnson should be a regular in the rotation next season and has a shot to be the No. 2 given the experience gained this year.
Freshman running back [autotag]Jadan Baugh[/autotag] is having an arthroscopic procedure to clean up “minor cartilage damage” to his meniscus. Fellow running back Montrell Johnson Jr. had a similar procedure done during fall camps and was able to play in the regular season, so Baugh should be ready to go by spring camp and certainly summer/fall.
Baugh emerged as Johnson’s heir apparent after a breakout game against Kentucky, in which he tied a Florida program record with five touchdowns. He split carries with Johnson and junior college transfer Ja’Kobi Jackson for the rest of the season but led the team with 133 carries and an 80.9 rushing grade, according to PFF.
Defensive back [autotag]Sharif Denson[/autotag], who primarily played the STAR position for the Gators, is having a procedure done to “repair a fractured metatarsal to his left foot.” A screw is needed for the repair.
Denson split time with Aaron Gates at STAR and saw his snaps per game double in the final two games of the season. His 65.0 defensive grade on PFF is third among Florida safeties and sixth overall among defensive backs in the program.
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