Tag: Myles Graham

Florida freshman LB out for spring camp, other injuries

Florida football head coach Billy Napier provided injury updates on linebacker Myles Graham and offensive lineman Kam Waites on Saturday.

Florida head coach Billy Napier provided updates on two injured Gators on Saturday.

Freshman linebacker [autotag]Myles Graham[/autotag] will sit out the rest of spring practices following a back procedure undergone to address an injury suffered in high school. Graham spent two non-contact practices with the team, but now he’s shut down.

“He (Graham) had an injury coming in and went through phase one and phase two,” Napier said. “We said, ok when we get to spring break and we feel like this is going to be a long-term issue then we want to go ahead and get it fixed. We made that decision and we anticipate getting him back for fall camp.”

The other player Napier provided an update on was offensive lineman [autotag]Kamryn Waites[/autotag], who is dealing with a lower-body injury. Waites stepped into the offensive line rotation last season and is expected to compete for a starting spot this year.

“Kam Waites had a strained calf and a soft tissue injury,” he said. “Nothing major there but he’ll be out for a bit.”

Napier added that there were some other ailments on the roster, but the only two he deemed major were Graham and Waites.

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ESPN’s scouting report for Florida’s 2024 linebacker recruiting class

Aaron Chiles and Myles Graham, who rank Nos. 45 and 58 on ESPN’s top 300 rankings, respectively, were among those mentioned.

Billy Napier and Co. have been toiling away on the recruiting trail since the day the former Louisiana Ragin’ Cajun stepped onto campus. Now entering his third year at the helm in Gainesville, the Gators’ skipper is beginning to reap the fruits of his labors.

ESPN’s Craig Haubert recently put together his scouting reports for the top linebackers in the 2024 recruiting cycle, which included a pair of highly-prized members of the Orange and Blue. Aaron Chiles and Myles Graham, who rank Nos. 45 and 58 on the publication’s top 300 rankings, respectively, were among those who made the cut.

“Coming off a 5-7 season, Billy Napier has some work ahead of him,” Haubert begins. “He started to correct that with a top-10 recruiting class which features several key defensive contributors. Florida lagged in statistical categories like total rushing defense and team sacks, areas where Chiles and Graham can help.

“The Gators lose Scooby Williams, one of their leading tackles, and this unit needs a boost, despite returning some experience and adding South Carolina transfer Grayson Howard,” he continues.

“Chiles is an ideal inside linebacker. He’s thickly built with good body control and uses angles well. He is not an early enrollee, which could slow his initial impact, but he’s an instinctive prospect who played a lot of snaps for a good high school program.

“Graham, ranked just a few spots behind Chiles, has a bit of a head start after enrolling early. He is a physical and powerful player who closes well. Graham will go through spring ball and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him come out of that period ready to contribute in the fall.”

Florida will play its annual Orange and Blue game on Saturday, April 13, with a kickoff time slated for 1 p.m. ET inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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Four-star Florida LB legacy signee talks coaching changes

Florida linebacker signee Myles Graham was just as shocked as everyone else when position coach Jay Bateman left the program.

When Florida announced the departure of inside linebackers coach Jay Bateman a day after the early signing period, plenty of fans questioned how the football program could withhold such information from its star signees in the position room.

The truth is that most of the people in Gainesville found out about Bateman’s decision at the same time the recruits who signed did. Four-star legacy linebacker [autotag]Myles Graham[/autotag] might be the defensive face of the 2024 Florida recruiting class, and even he was in the dark on Bateman’s move, according to Swamp247’s Blake Alderman.

“I was very surprised by it,” Graham said to Alderman. “I kind of found out how everyone else found out, through social media. It’s no hard feelings with him”

Even though Graham didn’t take the move personally, it still affected him.

“I was very shocked because I had been committed to him for almost two years. That was really my guy. We got close over that span. I love him to death, but he just did what was best for he and his family. It was surprising, but it was good for him. We are both going to do our thing, and go our separate ways, and we will see each other at the top.”

Graham said that Billy Napier found out on the same day everyone else did. The Florida head coach made sure to reach out to Graham and explain the situation, ensuring the blue-chip talent signed would have somewhat of a say in the hiring process.

After three straight losing seasons, Florida desperately needs to find some success in 2024. The Gators face what many consider the toughest schedule in the country, but Graham says that the team has the talent to win. Coming together as a unit will be the key.

“I think we need leadership,” he said. “I think we need guys to rally together, and put their all into the field. We got the talent, we just just need to have the right play callers in the right place for us to be successful. That’s one and off the field. We got a lot of work to do in the weight room, and all that. Learning the new scheme and coaches and everything. That is the best thing I can do.”

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Four Florida signees to play in Under Armour All-America Game

Four Florida signees will participate in the Under Armour All-America Game on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024 at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Four future Florida Gators will take the field together on Jan. 3 at the Under Armour All-American Game at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

Five-star quarterback [autotag]DJ Lagway[/autotag], four-star linebackers [autotag]Aaron Chiles[/autotag] and [autotag]Myles Graham[/autotag] and preferred walk-on punter [autotag]Bobby Engstler[/autotag] are all on Team Fire, according to the organizer’s website. They’ll go up against Team Ice next weekend, with kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m. ET. It will be nationally televised on ESPN.

All eyes in Gainesville will be locked on Lagway. Gator Nation has been waiting for a generational quarterback to walk through the doors since Tim Tebow left, and Lagway is the team’s first five-star quarterback to sign since Jeff Driskel in 2011.

He crushed the high school competition in Texas, totaling more than 5,500 yards and nearly 75 touchdowns with his arm and legs, but now the competition level is getting kicked up a notch. This game has the potential to be Lagway’s national coming-out party if all goes well.

Chiles and Graham will be worth checking in on too. Florida could use some stability at linebacker over the next few years, and these two were signed to fill that void. It’s harder to evaluate defensive players in real-time, but the tape will be valuable.

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Gator great, father of 2024 signee dissatisfied with Florida’s process

Not all appears to be well in Gainesville after a rough early signing day for the Florida Gators.

The Gator Nation has been restless since a disappointing early signing period opened with three blue-chip recruits flipping, leaving Florida with a less-than-favorable outcome.

Among the many voicing their complaints on social media was a former UF star running back and father of a 2024 four-star signee who took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express his sentiments.

[autotag]Earnest Graham[/autotag], who played running back in Gainesville from 1998 to 2002 before competing in the NFL, was unhappy about the overall experience his son Myles received during his recruitment.

“My son was raised to understand the business as it exists, but there has been new levels of disconnect with this program that I have NEVER ever experienced. No calls, no communication and the driest experience imaginable. I’m just going to START there.”

That is a very discouraging thing to hear if you are a Florida fan, especially considering his son has taken on a leadership role among the incoming recruits.

“I was the first one in the class, so I recruited everyone in the class,” Myles told Swamp247. “I am going to be really active. We all are recruiting and trying to build the best class.”

The elder Graham did not immediately elaborate on what he meant when he said, “I’m just going to START there,” but it insinuates he has further grievances with the program. Given the roots the family has in Gainesville, one hopes the rift is quickly resolved.

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Gators add blue-chip legacy linebacker to 2024 signing haul

This legacy linebacker is a huge acquisition both on and off the field for the Florida Gators.

The early signing period bonanza continued on Wednesday morning as Billy Napier and the Florida Gators were signing their commits like a rabid game of Hungry Hippos.

Among the several early signings was four-star legacy linebacker [autotag]Myles Graham[/autotag] out of Gainesville (Florida) Buchholz. The standout defender is the son of Gator great Earnest Graham, who played running back in Gainesville from 1998 to 2002 before also competing in the NFL.

The younger Graham is no slouch himself, earning blue-chip grades across the board for his talents on the opposite side of the ball from his dad. He also inherited the leadership gene from his father.

“I was the first one in the class, so I recruited everyone in the class,” he told Swamp247. “I am going to be really active. We all are recruiting and trying to build the best class. [DJ Lagway] has earned [the ace recruiter tab], but I am going to show him this weekend. He’s earned it and I am proud of him.”

The 6-foot-1-inch, 212-pound student-athlete was recruited by inside linebackers coach Jay Bateman, who has formed a tight bond with the prep prospect over the course of Florida’s courtship.

“He’s a great coach, and a really constructive coach,” he previously said of Bateman. “I love the way he coaches and he’s a great recruiter as well. He didn’t just recruit me, he made sure he was like another role model for me in my life. He’s a great dude and a great man.”

Not only did Graham stand out on defense, but he also put up some tidy numbers on the other side of the ball too in high school. According to MaxPreps’ stats, he rushed for 1,752 yards on 232 attempts (7.6 yards per game) in 44 games at Buchholz along with 26 touchdowns and four 100-plus yard games. He also caught 28 passes for 461 yards and six scores.

Nonetheless, he is expected to play exclusively on defense in the Swamp.

Graham is ranked No. 51 overall and No. 5 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 61 and 5, respectively.

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Florida’s blue-chip legacy commit impressed with Saturday’s practice

Legacy linebacker commit Myles Graham had a lot of positive things to say about Saturday’s practice.

This past weekend was a chance for not only the general public to get a gander at the Gators’ preseason practice inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium but also an opportunity for recruits to see what the upcoming season has in store.

Among those getting a glimpse of the 2023 edition of Florida football was four-star legacy linebacker commit [autotag]Myles Graham[/autotag], who is the son of former standout running back Earnest Graham. The younger Gator came away rather impressed with what he saw on Saturday, offering up some positive takeaways from his experience.

“The guys are looking good,” Graham told Gators Online. “I’m impressed with the whole team. I’m proud of Coach (Billy) Napier and the staff. And I’m excited to see what they can do (this season).”

As for the player in whom he sees rising potential, he fingered a redshirt sophomore linebacker.

“Scooby (Williams),” James said. “Scooby played really well. He was everywhere. He could do it all — stop the run, play in coverage… Overall, (the linebackers) were doing good all around. They were flying around and making plays.”

Of course, the linebackers corps is currently down a man who it expects to be a vocal leader on and off the field this season.

“I think we need Shemar James,” he said. “Really, really need him back.”

Overall, Graham appears to be feeling bullish on the Orange and Blue. Most notably, he was impressed with the offense which has been surrounded by questions, exacerbated by Napier’s reluctance to name a starting quarterback.

“The defense is looking good,” he said. “And the offense is looking better than I thought. Some of the young wide receivers stood out.”

The Gators opened camp Sunday, July 30, and the team held its first practice of the 2023 season on Monday, July 31. Last Saturday’s event was the only practice open to the general public.

Florida opens its 2023 schedule on the road against the Utah Utes on Aug. 31, with a kickoff time of 8 p.m. EDT.

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Gators get legacy LB back in the Swamp for Grill in the Ville this weekend

This Gators legacy commit will be among the throng this weekend in Gainesville.

Florida football is getting set to host the first edition of the Grill in the Ville event, which welcomes prep prospects from a range of recruiting classes into the Swamp to get a gander at what Billy Napier and the Gators have to offer.

Among the throng of young student-athletes gathering in Gainesville this coming Saturday is four-star linebacker and Gators legacy commit [autotag]Myles Graham[/autotag], who recently transferred to Buchholz High in Gainesville ahead of his senior season to be closer to the program. His decision to drop more roots in Hogtown came on Monday of this week.

The 6-foot-1-inch, 212-pound defender became the fifth member of the 2024 recruiting class back at the end of March, following in the footsteps of his father, Earnest, who was a standout running back for the Orange and Blue. The younger Graham chose his dad’s school over the Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, NC State Wolfpack and Tennessee Volunteers.

Since his verbal commitment, he has been all-in on the program and figures to be a locker-room leader on defense in the years to come.

“I’m completely locked in with Florida 100%,” he told On3’s Joseph Hastings. “It’s just my relationship is there, I’m a legacy, and I want to come in and play my freshman year. I want to do what I do best and bring back what Florida used to be.”

Graham is ranked No. 43 overall and No. 4 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 48 and 4, respectively.

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Florida legacy LB commit transferring closer to UF for senior year

Gators commit Myles Graham is transferring to Buchholz High in Gainesville for his senior year.

Florida linebacker commit [autotag]Myles Graham[/autotag] is moving closer to his future home by transferring to Buchholz High in Gainesville for his senior year.

Graham made the news official on Twitter Monday, but rumors of a transfer have been around for a bit. A vocal leader of his recruiting class, Graham’s move to Gainesville can only help recruiting efforts. It will also make the transition easy for him once he enrolls early as planned.

This will be Graham’s third high school in as many years. He played at Evangelical Christian School in Fort Myers before transferring to Woodward in Georgia for his junior year. He returns to the Sunshine State as the No. 7 overall recruit in Florida, according to 247Sports, and is ranked No. 4 among linebackers nationally.

Graham will also get time to bond with edge rusher Kendall Jackson, who also plays at Buchholz and is committed to the Gators.

This is only the start of Graham’s story in Gainesville, but any Gators fan should appreciate the early relocation. If DJ Lagway is the offensive leader of the 2024 class, Graham appears to be the defensive captain, so to speak.

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4-star legacy linebacker commit all in on Florida football

Myles Graham — son of Gator great Earnest Graham — has orange and blue trickling through his veins.

One of Florida’s prized pieces from the 2024 recruiting class is four-star linebacker [autotag]Myles Graham[/autotag] out of Atlanta (Georgia) Woodward Academy, who also happens to be the son of stand-out running back Earnest Graham. His father played for the Gators from 1998 to 2002, stretching over the final four years of the Steve Spurrier era and the first of the Ron Zook era.

The younger Graham — a 6-foot-1-inch, 212-pound defender — committed to the Orange and Blue back in August 2022 and has spent a significant time on Florida’s campus over the course of his life. In addition to a pair of visits this season, he also attended UF’s Junior Day back in January and came back for a weekend visit in mid-March.

The rising high school senior currently has an official visit set with Billy Napier and Co. for the second weekend of June. And despite considering possible official visits with the Alabama Crimson Tide and Georgia Bulldogs, Graham appears to be all in on UF’s football program.

“I’m completely locked in with Florida 100%,” he told On3’s Joseph Hastings. “It’s just my relationship is there, I’m a legacy, and I want to come in and play my freshman year. I want to do what I do best and bring back what Florida used to be.”

Graham is ranked No. 49 overall and No. 5 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 50 and 5, respectively.

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