Gators’ top defender Tyreak Sapp will forgo the NFL Draft and return for his redshirt senior season in 2025.
Florida football edge rusher Tyreak Sapp announced on Tuesday that he will return to play for the Gators in his redshirt senior season in 2025, according to reports from Gators Online.
Sapp, who emerged as a key pillar of Florida’s defense this past season, has decided against entering the NFL draft.
The return of Sapp, who was the Gators’ highest-graded defender this season with a 90.3 overall grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF), promises to strengthen a formidable Florida defense.
Sapp’s PFF grade is the 13th-highest among all FBS edge rushers and the fifth-highest among SEC edge rushers. It’s also the best PFF defensive grade for a Gator since Jonathan Greenard in 2019 (90.5).
Over the 2024 season, Sapp led the Gators with seven sacks and 13 tackles-for-loss for 48 yards. He also tied the team lead with two forced fumbles.
Sapp’s performance peaked in Florida’s final regular season game against Florida State, where he led the Gators with a PFF grade of 85 thanks to his five tackles (three solo), two tackles-for-loss, one sack and a forced fumble. He also had a career-best PFF run defense grade of 88.7.
As Sapp prepares for another year at Florida, the Gators are not just retaining a key player but also a leader who embodies the spirit and determination of the team.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Florida linebacker Shemar James and edge defender Tyreak Sapp discuss the win over Florida State on Saturday.
Florida’s defense dominated for all four quarters against Florida State on Saturday, leading the Gators to a 31-11 victory over the Seminoles.
The defense finished the game with eight sacks, 14 tackles for loss and five recovered fumbles (eight forced). Linebacker [autotag]Shemar James[/autotag] led the team with seven total tackles (four solo) and forced one of the fumbles, while defensive lineman [autotag]Tyreak Sapp[/autotag] had five total tackles (three solo), a sack, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
Both James and Sapp are veteran leaders on the defense and spoke to the media after the win. Here’s everything they said.
On Seminole head prop after the win
Sapp: “I got it from a fan probably about like 30 seconds left in the game. Probably not even 30 seconds. Probably like 50 seconds left in the game I got it from a fan and I was like, oh yeah. I anticipated somebody having something like that. I didn’t know whether it was going to be like the spear. I was going to hold the spear or somebody go something rare like the head. I loved it.
How did the win feel for you?
“Oh, man, this is like a relief off my back. Going two years losing to these guys — which is a great group of guys they put together, they find ways to put a team together — and you know it’s always going to be a challenge. It’s a rivalry game. We don’t like them and they don’t like us. So for the last two years, this has been sitting on us sitting on me and Shemar, especially because we were here to see it. It was just great.
“It was great to go out there and just see the work that we’ve been putting in and everything that we’ve been through all season. This is like one of the best ways to end it on this.
James: “That’s how I feel, happy, so happy. Like he said, two losses in a row to these guys. It was great to get that bad taste out of our mouths, coming into their house and get the dub.”
On dominance in the backfield
Sapp: “It felt great. That’s what we preach every week. We’ve got to kind of like be the big brothers of the team because we the defense. So we got to lead the boys to battle and we got to go out there and set the tone no matter what.
“How ever many ways we can get DJ the ball, that’s what we do.”
James on strip fumble
James: “It felt great, for myself, for the team. It was just a big turning point in the game. Any big play on defense, getting the ball back to the offense. I almost ran the ball back to the end zone. The ref gave me a couple choice words, but it was good… I had to make sure we got it back. ”
On Florida State fumbling eight times
James: “We practice that in our takeover circuit throughout the week. I mean, we expect that. That’s kind of our standard to get the ball, get it back to our offense. We wanted to score on defense, but we unfortunately couldn’t do that. But it’s coming.
On post-game scuffle
Sapp: “Coach (Napier) addressed that in the locker room after the game, so it wasn’t too much. He said what he had to say about it, but it is what it is. That happened.”
James: “It’s not us.”
On developing a more complicated pass rush scheme
James: “Just guys being comfortable in the defense. Coach (Ron) Roberts and Coach (Austin) Armstrong, they kind of draw things up. They kind of get the quarterback looking this way and a person is coming from the other way or kind of disguising different coverages just to get to the quarterback.
“I think it’s just guys that got that confidence back and that can disguise very well. We hit a lot tonight.”
On three-game win streak to end the season
Sapp: “It’s gratifying, but like it’s always great to know that we earned it. We earned the right to win those games. I always tell my guys we don’t deserve anything. We earned everything that we have and everything that we get. Nobody gives us anything.
“Because when people play the Florida Gators, they’re going to put their best foot forward and they’re going to try to destroy us just because of who we are, and we accept that challenge. Week in and week out, day in and day out, and we take that personally. We go ahead and we go to work, and no matter what happens out down that field, we always come back together as brothers.
Are you a man on a mission (8 tackles in three games)?
Sapp: “I feel like I’ve always been a man on a mission, but it’s just progression and getting better throughout the year. Understand the things I need to work on, watching more film and just getting together with the guys because this game is all about chemistry.
“Throughout these past few weeks, we spent so much time together. Not just on the field, after practice and in the locker room, but off the field. We come to each other’s houses, we go out to dinner with each other. It’s just that camaraderie and us just gelling together more.
At what point did the defense start believing in itself?
Sapp: “I wouldn’t be able to tell you the exact point in time, but I just tell you we all had to look each other in the eye and tell each other that we were going to make things change. And that was it because our word is probably one of the most important things and it means a lot to each other.
“So when we tell each other we trust you and we going to do everything that that we can in our power to turn things around, we took that personally and we went to work and you see what you get.”
When did you find out about victory cigars?
Sapp: “Right after the game, right?”
James: “Yeah. Right after. Surprise.”
Sapp: “Some of our media staff and the EQ staff, they were passing them out. It was a surprise, but, you know, we were lit.
Have you ever done that?
Sapp: “Nah. I’ve never had that. Shoot, Shemar, we started playing together. I was a redshirt freshman when he got here, so we were both in. That was our first year playing and we haven’t had it. From then, we haven’t had this much success to the point we had a victory cigar.”
What was is like in the locker room?
James: “Smoky. Choking and coughing. But it was great.”
On Jack Pyburn recording his first sack of year
Sapp: “We use him in a plethora of ways, and he’s one of those guys that we love to have out there when we’re trying to stop the run. But Jack has improved over the year with his pass rushing. He’s come a long way from when he was a young kid, and to now to see how he’s grown, especially like me, I’ve actually seen him grow and I’ve seen him get better.
“It’s exciting to me to see him go get a sack, to see him get all these tackles. It’s just a blessing. The kid works hard and he actually loves the game. He loves his team.”
On recruiting and retaining players
Sapp: “I think it’s always going to be like involvement, as much as involvement as they allow us to have. But I think that just keeping this team together and just like the future, the future is going to be bright for the school.”
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Defense, turnovers and big plays: 5 key factors in the Gators’ 31-11 rivalry win over FSU.
Rivalry games often come down to moments, and the Florida Gators made most of theirs in their 31-11 win over the Florida State Seminoles.
The victory wasn’t just a testament to Florida’s talent but also their ability to capitalize on critical moments. While the Gators shined defensively and on the ground, their performance wasn’t flawless, with notable struggles in the passing game and moments of inconsistency.
Rivalry games are rarely about perfection, though—they’re about finding a way to win.
Ultimately, the game came down to execution in key moments, and the Gators rose to the challenge. Here are the five key factors that propelled this Florida football team to victory in this year’s Sunshine Showdown.
Defensive Dominance
Florida’s defense was the undeniable star of the night, dismantling FSU’s offense at every turn. The Gators racked up eight sacks, 14 tackles for loss and forced a total of eight fumbles.
Linebacker Jaden Robinson and defensive lineman Tyreak Sapp were relentless, combining for three sacks and making critical stops in the backfield. The defense didn’t just limit FSU—it actively created scoring opportunities, leading to 14 points off turnovers. This level of defensive aggression set the tone and left the Seminoles scrambling all game.
Explosive ground game
The Gators rushing attack was the backbone of their offensive success, racking up 235 yards on the ground with an impressive 6.2 yards per carry.
Montrell Johnson Jr. led the charge with 99 yards on 10 carries, including a spectacular 65-yard touchdown run. Ja’Kobi Jackson also contributed with 51 yards and a touchdown, providing balance and keeping FSU’s defense on its heels. Jadan Baugh put his mark on the game late, running for 81 yards.
This dominance on the ground allowed Florida to control the tempo, even when the passing game faltered.
Turnover Battle
The turnover margin was a game-changing factor. While Florida only committed on turnover—a DJ Lagway interception—the Gators forced FSU into eight fumbles, recovering five of them.
This defensive opportunism completely shifted the momentum in Florida’s favor. Whether it was Bryce Thornton punching the ball out or Sapp applying pressure in the backfield, the Gators consistently found ways to capitalize on FSU’s mistakes.
Red Zone Efficiency
In a game defined by defensive plays, Florida’s ability to finish drives in the red zone was critical. The Gators were a perfect 4-for-4 in red zone opportunities, showing poise and precision when it mattered most.
Lagway delivered touchdown passes to Marcus Burke and Tony Livingston, while the running game punched in two more scores.
In a game where touchdowns are critical, the Gators did their job when it mattered most inside the 20-yard line.
Limiting FSU’s Offense
The Gators’ defense didn’t just force turnovers—it suffocated the Seminoles’ attack entirely. FSU managed just 239 total yards, including only 140 passing yards and 99 rushing yards.
The Seminoles’ longest play of the night was just 20 yards, a testament to Florida’s disciplined coverage and tackling. By bottling up the run and preventing big passing plays, the Gators neutralized FSU’s ability to sustain drives, holding them to a dismal 3.3 yards per play.
What’s next for Florida?
That is the end of the regular-season schedule for the Orange and Blue. Now the Gator Nation waits with bated breath to hear which bowl game their beloved football team will play in this December. Stay tuned to this website for more information.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
All aboard the Lane Train… right out of Gainesville. This is Billy Napier’s town, and his Gators delivered a massive upset against Ole Miss Saturday to prove it.
For a second consecutive week, the Florida Gators have upset a ranked opponent in The Swamp. The Orange and Blue took down the No. 9 Ole Miss Rebels, 24-17, to improve their record to 6-5 and secure bowl eligibility.
[autotag]DJ Lagway[/autotag] didn’t need to be the hero, but he still made some incredible throws, including two touchdown passes. The winning score came with senior running back [autotag]Montrell Johnson Jr[/autotag]. under center, though. Johnson lined up in the wildcat formation, faked a handoff and ran nine yards to his right into the endzone.
The remaining 7 minutes and 40 seconds of the contest was thrilling and proved that a depleted Gators secondary was still enough to stop one of the top quarterbacks in the country. Ole Miss signal-caller Jaxson Dart threw two interceptions — both secured by safety Bryce Thornton — to squash the Rebels’ chances to make the College Football Playoff.
The victory is, without a doubt, the best win of the [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] era and perhaps the best win since Kyle Trask was leading the glory year under Dan Mullen.
Florida is back!
The Billy Napier era has been filled with disappointment and uneasiness, but no longer is the future dim for the Florida Gators. The emergence of [autotag]DJ Lagway[/autotag] and the miraculous improvement of the defensive, at various levels, over the course of the season provides a path for Napier to not only stay on board for another season but perhaps thrive in Gainesville.
Lagway is a Heisman candidate moving forward, and he hasn’t even played with a fully healthy Eugene Wilson III. Replacing veteran receivers like [autotag]Elijhah Badger[/autotag] and [autotag]Chimere Dike[/autotag] won’t be easy, but there’s going to be a lot of interest from the big names in the transfer portal.
On defense, Gerald Chatman has transformed the line. [autotag]Caleb Banks[/autotag] looks like a future high-round pick, [autotag]Tyreak Sapp[/autotag] is dominating on the edge and [autotag]Cam Jackson[/autotag] is the anchor up front that Florida has needed all year. The pressure created, especially once Ole Miss center Reece McIntyre went down, forced Dart to make mistakes and an underestimated Gators secondary came up big in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter.
It’s hard not to be excited about what this team can do moving forward, and the dark cloud that’s hung over The Swamp for the past three years seems to be finally fading.
Great day for the RBs
Coming into this matchup, Ole Miss had the second-best run defense in the country. The Rebels allowed just 79.9 rushing yards per game and held opposing running backs to just 2.23 yards per carry.
Napier and his staff didn’t care about any of those numbers, though. The game plan was to run the ball early and often, and it worked like a charm. Florida’s three-headed monster in the backfield totaled a combined 174 yards on 39 carries, averaging 4.46 yards per carry — double the season average allowed by Ole Miss.
Johnson was the primary back in this one, rushing for 107 yards and the wildcat touchdown on 18 attempts, but Baugh flashed his talents with 46 yards on 13 rushes. [autotag]Ja’Kobi Jackson[/autotag], Florida’s JUCO gem, added 21 yards on eight carries.
Baugh and Jackson will be back next year to lead Florida’s running backs room, and Johnson will likely turn to pro now that he’s out of eligibility.
It’s been an injury-riddled year for Johnson, who had minor knee surgery during the preseason and missed a few games as the quarterback transition from Graham Mertz to Lagway took place, but he came back at the perfect time. Florida doesn’t win this game without him.
‘Next man up’ mentality prevails
Florida has dealt with a number of injuries this season and came into this game down its top three cornerbacks, a starting linebacker and safety. But that doesn’t matter when the entire team is repeating the line “next man up” at every opportunity in front of the media.
Banks is the breakout star over the last two weeks. He looks like an NFL-ready defensive lineman at times and racked up 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss against Ole Miss. Sapp is the heart and soul of the front seven, and [autotag]Shemar James[/autotag] is another leader at the second level of the defense.
Thornton’s two interceptions were the most timely turnovers of the year for Florida, and the secondary has been held together by Trikweze Bridges’ position versatility as he moves from safety to cornerback.
[autotag]Sharif Denson[/autotag] deserves praise for delivering hit after hit, many of which came against runners in the open field, and [autotag]Jordan Castell[/autotag] is finally playing like he did during his freshman year — talk about a big hit to start the game.
This defense could have folded weeks, if not months, ago, but they didn’t. Austin Armstrong, Napier and Ron Roberts all deserve praise for keeping these guys focused through a tremendous amount of adversity throughout the season.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Things went from bad to worse quickly for the Florida Gators against the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday. Year 3 of the Billy Napier era begins with a loss.
This year was supposed to be different, but Florida’s 41-17 loss against Miami on Saturday has morale at an all-time low in Gainesville.
[autotag]Montrell Johnson Jr[/autotag].’s 71-yard touchdown in the second quarter was the only bright spot of the contest and was the last time Florida came within a score of its in-state rival.
The defense struggled after repeating several of the same mistakes we saw from them a year ago, and a [autotag]Graham Mertz[/autotag]-led offense appeared unable to manufacture anything positive until he got hurt.
Mertz’s injury might have brought the only silver lining of the day, though. No one expected the [autotag]DJ Lagway[/autotag] era to begin so early, but the true freshman led the Gators to its only score of the second half.
Too many missed opportunities in the first half
Things got ugly fast after halftime, but Florida wasn’t that far from holding a lead through the first 30 minutes of action.
A pair of roughing-the-passer penalties accelerated/extended Miami drives and directly led to a pair of touchdowns. The first came from Justus Boone on a third-down play that would have forced a punt from the Hurricanes. Instead, Miami quarterback Cam Ward found Cam McCormick to break a 0-0 tie.
The other roughing the passer penalty came in the second quarter on a DJ Douglas blitz that he couldn’t slow down on. Granted, that was on first down, so it didn’t directly lead to a touchdown, but it certainly accelerated Miami’s path to a two-score lead.
On offense, Graham Mertz struggled to connect on deep passes, completing just one of seven attempts from beyond 15 yards. Two notable overthrows in the direction of [autotag]Elijhah Badger[/autotag] stand out, in particular. If Mertz is healthy enough to return, he’ll need to refine his connection with the Arizona State transfer. The concepts aren’t the problem; it’s execution.
The defense is already banged up
Despite allowing Miami to put up over 500 yards of total offense, this Florida defense looks better than last year’s, or at least more talented. However, injuries are already an issue, both in the trenches and in the secondary.
[autotag]Devin Moore[/autotag], who has enough talent to be a shutdown cornerback in the SEC, left the game in the first half and didn’t return. Cam Ward targeted his backup, [autotag]Ja’Keem Jackson[/autotag], who doesn’t appear ready to be an every-down player quite yet.
[autotag]Asa Turner[/autotag] also went down with what looked like a non-contact injury to his lower body. Turner grabbed his hamstring walking off the field, but replays of the injury show a clear jerk in his knee. An ACL injury would devastate Florida’s secondary, and remove a veteran leader from the position room.
Those two injuries help explain Miami’s 385 passing yards and three scores through the air.
There’s also the front seven to worry about, although it seems to be the defensive line that struggled more than the edge guys and linebackers. [autotag]Shemar James[/autotag] reeled in a tipped pass for an interception at a crucial moment before things got out of hand, and [autotag]Grayson Howard[/autotag] had a nice wrap-up tackle in a one-on-one situation. Miami didn’t put up crazy rushing numbers, either — 148 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries.
Florida’s pass rush was non-existent, however. Ward and his receivers had all the time in the world to break coverage, and Florida’s lone sack ([autotag]Tyreak Sapp[/autotag]) came because Ward held the ball too long. The Gators face too tough of a schedule to win without getting penetration up front. And they certainly can’t afford to commit penalties when the pass rush does work.
Miami’s offense ran up and down Steve Spurrier Field at will on Saturday. Imagine what Georgia, Tennessee and Texas are going to do away from Gainesville if this kind of play keeps up from Florida.
Hover over the panic button, but don’t press it
A three-score loss after two straight losing seasons is typically enough for an SEC fan base to turn on its coach and athletic director. Half of Gator Nation is already there, but the other half is still hoping that this was just the Week 1 jitters.
Florida’s in for a long season if things don’t change, but the Mertz injury might have forced Billy Napier’s hand in the best way. DJ Lagway is the future of this program, and getting him on the field now against the toughest schedule he’ll see as a Gator is a good thing.
Lagway only attempted six passes over three drives, one of which was an interception, but there’s no denying the tone shift that came when stepped on the field. Lagway looks like an SEC quarterback, even if he makes the mistakes a true freshman should. He leads the drive with intent, and he’s a legitimate dual threat, unlike Mertz.
Former Florida wide receiver [autotag]Jacob Copeland[/autotag] commented on social media that Lagway showed shades of [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] in his first appearance in the Orange and Blue after seeing Lagway rip a 16-yard run. If Lagway gets significant playing time moving forward, this is a completely different Florida offense.
That’s not to say Graham Mertz shouldn’t return if he’s healthy enough, but rather to suggest a complete lean into a two-quarterback system. It’s worked for Florida in the past (Leak-Tebow). Why not try it again?
It would be malpractice not to mention Montrell Johnson Jr. again in this section. He ran for 106 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries after missing most of fall camp with a knee injury that required minor surgery. His 71-yarder provided the bulk of those yards, but he was effective throughout the game. Florida needs to lean on him more moving forward if he can handle the workload.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
The most competitive position room in Gainesville might be the edge rushers. Led by two veterans of the program, Florida has plenty of options.
Next up in Gators Wire’s position preview series is the edge corps.
Billy Napier says that the edge rushers might be the most competitive unit on the team heading into the season and it’s easy to see why. Two veterans are at the top of the depth chart for the ‘F’ position, and there’s depth at jack too.
If those position names are unfamiliar, don’t worry. They aren’t a part of the typical nomenclature football fans are used to seeing. The F, or fox, position is a hybrid of the outside linebacker and defensive end position that requires more versatility than the jack, whose strength is often against the run.
The fox needs to be able to drop back in coverage and act as an extra pass rusher when needed. It’s among the most complex positions in Florida’s defensive scheme, but it’s a sure marker of a modern defense.
Let’s take a look at every edge rusher on Florida’s roster. Check out Gators Wire’s other position previews for the 2024 season below.
There’s good news and bad news here. Two of Florida’s edge rushers are dealing with injuries to start the season, but one is close to making a comeback.
[autotag]Justus Boone[/autotag] tore his ACL a year ago and missed the entire 2023 season. It was a devastating injury to the unit, but now Boone is ready to return and is a clear team leader. We’ll have to wait for the official depth chart to see where Boone lands, but he’s expected to be one of the main faces up front for Florida this year.
In 2022, Boone played 282 snaps for Florida and earned a 73.2 overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus. His weak point was tackling (57.4), but Boone was the best coverage guy in the position room that year. If healthy, we could see him fit into the starting fox spot and Tyreak Sapp moves back to a true defensive end role.
“Boone has been one of the best leaders that we had,” Napier said. “Losing him last year was a big deal. Not only because of his production on the field and the depth issue there but also just his passion, his ability to affect people.”
Starting ‘F’: No. 94 Tyreak Sapp (R-Jr.)
Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun
Defensive Stats:
Year
GP
SOLO
AST
TOT
TFL
SACKS
INT
FF
FR
2022
13
8
12
20
0.5
0
0
0
0
2023
11
12
12
24
4.5-18
2-12
0
2
0
Total
24
20
24
44
5-19
2-12
0
2
0
[autotag]Tyreak Sapp[/autotag] is the other veteran leader of the unit and he’s close friends with Boone. The two are hoping to take the field together this year, but they might do a bit of switching off at the fox position to start the year.
He stepped up big time in the wake of Boone’s injury and is Florida’s best-returning edge rusher statically. Pro Football Fous gave him a 74.4 overall grade on defense, second only to Princely Umanmielen in the position room, and he was an excellent tackler (85.1) without giving up too much in other areas.
“Sapp and Boone were here when we first got here, and both have been awesome,” Napier said. “They have great practice habits. They bring energy. They’ve got personalities that I think rub off on the team and the group. Those two have been in the trenches together for a couple of years now.”
Similar to the F, there are two players in contention for the starting jack linebacker role, sophomores [autotag]Kelby Collins[/autotag] and [autotag]TJ Searcy[/autotag]. Both played north of 250 snaps last season and excelled in different roles.
Collins is the better run defender and pass rusher, giving him an overall edge, but Searcy is an elite tackler and might be the best-returning edge in coverage. The platoon spells itself out here, but we could see both on the field together in theory.
The defensive line and edge rooms are a bit fluid, and Collins could even end up playing somewhere on the interior with [autotag]Jamari Lyons[/autotag] out for the year. That gives way to Searcy as the full-time jack and allows some of the younger guys on the depth chart to see the field too.
Backup ‘F’: No. 24 Kamran James (So.) or No. 17 LJ McCray (Fr.)
Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun
Kamran James:
Year
GP
SOLO
AST
TOT
TFL
SACKS
INT
FF
FR
2023
12
6
17
23
1.5-6
1.5-6
0
1
0
[autotag]Kamran James[/autotag] appeared in all 12 games for Florida a year ago, but mostly in a special teams role. James should see the field more often in Year 2 as a Gator, though.
James is one of the rare players who can fit in at both fox and jack, so he’s going to be in the second unit in some capacity. Pro Football Focus gave him a 62.5 defensive grade over 77 snaps last season.
Then there’s true freshman [autotag]LJ McCray[/autotag], a former five-star recruit who was considered the defensive crown jewel of Florida’s 2024 recruiting class. Players with that kind of hype are often told they’ll get early playing time, and it’s hard to see McCray not being a factor by mid-October.
It takes some time for the young guys to adjust to the speed of the college game, but McCray is going to get the chance.
Backup JACK: No. 34 George Gumbs Jr. (R-Jr.) and No. 44 Jack Pyburn (Jr.)
Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images
George Gumbs Jr:
Year
GP
SOLO
AST
TOT
TFL
SACKS
INT
FF
FR
2021*
4
0
0
0
0-0
0-0
0
0
0
2022*
7
0
0
0
0-0
0-0
0
0
0
2023*
12
15
17
32
6.5-20
3.5-15
0
2
0
Total
23
15
17
32
6.5-20
3.5-15
0
2
0
* = while at Northern Illinois
A former tight-end turned linebacker, [autotag]George Gumbs Jr[/autotag]. is certainly one of the more interesting players in Florida’s edge room. He’s often named among the players expected to see the field regularly this season, but he still needs some development.
Gumbs should line up on the weak side at jack for Florida behind Searcy. James might be ahead of him, too, but he’s still more likely to line up at the fox, at least until McCray gets his feet on the ground.
Jack Pyburn:
Year
GP
SOLO
AST
TOT
TFL
SACKS
INT
FF
FR
2022
8
3
0
3
0-0
0-0
0
0
0
2023
9
6
11
17
1-1
0-0
0
0
0
Total
17
9
11
20
1-1
0-0
0
0
0
[autotag]Jack Pyburn[/autotag] is also working his way back from a torn ACL, suffered in the middle of last season. He’s ready to return to game action, but he’ll be used in as a rotational backup to both positions similar to James. The injury should hold him back a little, but Pyburn made a name for himself as a strong tackler last year over 124 snaps.
[autotag]Ja’Markis Weston[/autotag] started off as a receiver for Florida before switching over to the defensive side of the ball a year ago. Entering his final year of college ball, Weston is set to be a designated pass rusher for Florida, according to Billy Napier.
The short of it is that Weston will enter the game on obvious passing downs and do what he does best, get after the quarterback. It’s not the most glorified role on the team, but it’s Weston’s path to playing football at the next level. He’s also going to remain in the gunner role on special teams.
“Ja’Markis was considering maybe pursuing the NFL last year,” Napier said. “We had quite a few conversations. I can still remember where I was at when he called me and told me, said, ‘Coach, I’m coming back,’ because I thought it was a big deal for our team.”
Quincy Ivory:
Year
GP
SOLO
AST
TOT
TFL
SACKS
INT
FF
FR
2023
8
1
0
1
0-0
0-0
0
0
0
Quincy Ivory joined the team last year as a JUCO transfer and saw all of two snaps as an edge rusher. That role should be increased this year, but it’s hard to see Ivory breaking into meaningful snaps anywhere but the special teams unit.
Walk-Ons: No. 36 Bryce Capers (R-So.), No. 45 Layne Swafford (R-Fr.), No. 55 Charles Emanuel III (Fr.), No. 59 Titus Bullard (Fr.) and No. 91 Tyreik Norwood (R-Sr.)
Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun
Florida has five non-scholarship edge rushers on its 2024 roster.
The senior-most walk-on is Tyreik Norwood, who is entering his seventh year in college athletics. He played four years with Kentucky Wesleyan before walking on at Florida in the fall of 2022. He’s yet to see the field as a Gator, but that might change this season. Napier likes rewarding loyalty, and FCS Samford in Week 2 could present the right opportunity.
Bryce Capers chose to attend Florida as a preferred walk-on in 2022 and ended up playing in three games as a true freshman while redshirting. He didn’t see the field at all last year, but maybe the pattern is every other year for him.
Redshirt freshman Layne Swafford is the final returning walk-on in the position room. He was another PWO who joined the program in the summer of 2023. No appearances yet, but Swafford still has four years of eligibility to see the field.
The two newcomers in the edge room are Titus Bullard and Charles Emanuel III. Both joined the Gators over the summer, so they are likely just scouting team players for now, but Bullard’s name should sound familiar. He’s the son of WWE Global Ambassador Thaddeus Bullard, better known as Titus O’Neil.
Yes, the younger Bullard was named after his father’s fictional persona on television, and he’s also the nephew of Earnest Graham.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
It might take a couple of games but expect to see Florida’s LJ McCray getting regular action by the middle of the season.
The Florida Gators have put a lot of stock in their recruiting efforts as [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and Co. continue to rebuild a once-proud college football program and it appears that their work off the field is beginning to yield positive results.
The Orange and Blue saw a good deal of attrition through the NCAA transfer portal this past offseason but also reloaded its roster with some of the top prep prospects in the nation. Among them was [autotag]LJ McCray[/autotag], a five-star defensive end from the Sunshine State in the 2024 cycle.
ESPN’s Eli Lederman and Adam Rittenberg recently took on the task of predicting freshman roles for college football’s top 10 recruits which included Florida’s top-rated defensive lineman.
Florida’s DE position outlook
“Florida lost sacks leader [autotag]Princely Umanmielen[/autotag] to Ole Miss, but the Gators bring back the rest of their production at the position from last fall.
“Between veteran [autotag]Tyreak Sapp[/autotag] and sophomores [autotag]Kelby Collins[/autotag] and [autotag]TJ Searcy[/autotag], Florida returns 73 total tackles and four sacks from a year ago, while redshirt junior [autotag]Justus Boone[/autotag] rejoins the Gators’ pass-rushing depth after missing last season with an ACL injury.
“Northern Illinois transfer [autotag]George Gumbs Jr[/autotag]. and sophomore [autotag]Kamran James[/autotag] present reserve options with experience.”
ESPN’s projection for McCray
“McCray signed with the Gators as one of the most physically impressive high school prospects in the 2024 cycle,” the authors note. “In his seven-plus months at Florida, McCray’s physical development has only bolstered confidence within the program that the five-star freshman can contribute this fall.”
That physical development appears to be elite and will be his ticket to success if he can connect all of the dots.
“He already has the body and the frame and the athletic ability and the tools and all that to allow him to be able to be considered to play early,” a team source told ESPN. “But he’s just worked hard over the summer and gotten stronger, developing his upper body. It takes a little bit of time at this level, but he’s physically far ahead of where a typical freshman would be coming in.”
The Gators have sufficient depth on the defensive line this season despite some losses, but there are also a lot of moving parts as well.
“Despite the blow of Umanmielen’s departure, Florida enters the season with capable depth on the edge,” they continue. “However, the Gators are already reshuffling on the defensive line following a preseason injury to defensive tackle Jamari Lyons, and McCray’s size and talent could make him difficult to keep on the sideline by the latter stages of his freshman season.”
While McCray might appear to be lower on the depth chart to start the season, do not be surprised if he quickly climbs in the early weeks.
“It’ll start off slow, but by midseason I think he’ll be out there,” a team source said. “He’ll be (used) sparingly early and then I would think he gets in there a lot. He’s a real guy.”
Florida’s season opener for 2024
The Florida Gators and No. 19 Miami Hurricanes square off on Aug. 31 in Gainesville, Florida to open their schedule for the 2024 season. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC Sports.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
There aren’t many Mullen era players left on Florida’s roster, but Justus Boone and Tyreak Sapp are leading the Gators’ EDGE room.
Most of Florida’s 2024 football roster consists of players recruited by Billy Napier, but two rare holdovers from the Dan Mullen era are on top of the depth chart at edge rusher — at least, for now.
[autotag]Justus Boone[/autotag] and [autotag]Tyreak Sapp[/autotag] both stayed in Gainesville after Mullen was fired, knowing they’d have to compete to keep their roles under a new coach.
It’s the kind of perseverance and loyalty to the program that’s made both welcomed additions to Napier’s defense.
“Sapp and Boone were here when we first got here, and both have been awesome,” Napier said. “They have great practice habits. They bring energy. They’ve got personalities that I think rub off on the team and the group. Those two have been in the trenches together for a couple of years now.
“They’re doing a good job, and I mean, the reality is they’re competing, right? I mean, they’re in scenarios where they’re competing. So both of those guys are two of our guys that provide a good example. They have character. and we need more of them.
However, Napier called the EDGE room the most competitive position group on the team because of the young players behind these veterans. Kelby Collins and TJ Searcy figure to get playing time after impressive freshmen seasons, and freshman LJ McCray could be a Day 1 factor on the defense.
Boone and Sapp must prove themselves to stay on the field this year, and the former is coming off a season lost to injury. If Boone can stay healthy, he might be the most impactful player in the bunch.
“Boone has been one of the best leaders that we had,” Napier said. “Losing him last year was a big deal. Not only because of his production on the field and the depth issue there but also just his passion, his ability to affect people.”
Sapp is no different.
“Sapp’s motor is always running hot,” he said. “I mean, he never has a bad day. He’s on it all the time. Both of those guys are good teammates.
While both aren’t usually on the field at the same time, there’s a bond between the two that let’s them play through each other.
“It’s crazy. When he gets on the field, I feel like I almost know what he’s about to do,” Sapp said of his connection with Boone. “I can kind of feel me playing through him. I just love it when he’s out there because me and him give that same effort, he goes hard, he has a motor and he understands the game.”
Boone started fall camp still working his way back from last year’s ACL tear, so it looks like Sapp will start the season on the field for Florida at the F position.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
A few Gators were included in the College Football 25 video game reveal.
One of the most anticipated video games of 2024 finally has a release date after years of waiting for the newest installment of a once-popular football franchise.
EA Sports College Football 25 will be released worldwide on July 19, and history will be made with active college football players on the cover of the game for the first time ever.
Gators Online’s Nick de la Torre noticed that current Florida Gators [autotag]Tyreak Sapp[/autotag], [autotag]Graham Mertz[/autotag], [autotag]Grayson Howard[/autotag] and [autotag]Caleb Banks[/autotag] were all included among the throng of college football players featured in the reveal. It also looks like Derek Wingo is on the left halfway out of frame.
Gators make an appearance early in the EA College Football gameplay reveal.
EA Sports’ video game franchise, which began in 1993, has had players on its cover for the majority of its versions. But when previous versions of the NCAA Football game had players on its cover, they were in their college gear but had already left the college ranks by the time the game came out.
Hunter, Ewers and Edwards are three of more than 10,000 college football players expected to be in the game, according to EA Sports. Player likeness without compensation was the reason why the NCAA Football franchise folded in 2013 and why a college football video game hasn’t been released since then. But with name, image and likeness running rampant in college sports, EA Sports will compensate players in exchange for their likeness with $600 and a free copy of the game.
All the cover stars told reporters it was surreal when they learned the details.
“They’re gonna remember all three of us because we were the first guys on the cover to kind of bring it back,” Ewers said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be able to be on the cover of the game.”
EA Sports College Football 25 details
EA Sports College Football 25 will be available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Standard and deluxe editions of EA Sports College Football 25 are available for pre-order. EA Sports is also offering the MVP bundle, which includes the deluxe editions of EA SPORTS College Football 25 and Madden NFL 25. Prices for the versions are:
Standard edition: $69.99
Deluxe edition: $99.99
MVP bundle: $149.99
Purchase of any version of the game includes an alma mater ultimate team pack, cover athletes ultimate team pack and bring glory home ultimate team pack. The deluxe version and MVP bundle will come with three-day early access for both games and “a variety of other benefits,” including 4,600 college football points − presumably in-game currency − and a Heisman hopeful ultimate team pack.
The full reveal, which typically includes a trailer of the game, will be Friday. EA Sports said more details will be unveiled “throughout the summer” leading up to the release date.
Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Florida’s pass rush has a chance to be elite in 2023 with Princely Umanmielen leading the way and a group of young edge rushers behind him.
Florida’s edge rushing corps is filled with position converts and true freshmen, but it might very well be one of the deepest position rooms on the roster heading into 2023.
Despite a season-ending injury to a major contributor, the Gators still have a loaded room of edge rushers ready to go. Defensive lineman turned JACK Princely Umanmielen has the most experience among the group. He’s emerged as a team leader and should help guide the front seven during games.
Tyreak Sapp is another lineman turned edge rusher who could start, and a trio of true freshmen appear to be game-ready.
Here’s a look at every edge rusher on Florida’s 2023 fall roster.
