Gator Spring Football: Edge rushers lean on experience and success.

Gator great Mike Peterson is developing one of the SEC’s best units.

By Loren Meadows, GatorbaitMedia.com, Football Analyst

Edge rushers coach and Gator great Mike Peterson (GatorBait photo)

As the Gators took part in their second practice of the spring, questions about the rest and relaxation of DJ Lagway turned to the examination of the football team as a whole. While a lot has been made about coordinators and play callers, the late push of the 2024 Gators was built on the play of the defense and most importantly, the ability to affect the opposing passer. Florida finished in the Top 20 in sacks for the first time under Billy Napier and of the 39 total sacks the Gators return over 80 percent of that production including leading sack man Tyreak Sapp.

Under the tutelage of former Gator Mike Peterson, Sapp had a career high seven sacks last season and has become the unquestioned leader of one of the most talented group of edge rushers in years. The trio of Sapp, George Gumbs and Kamran James are the centerpieces of a group that should also see former 5-star recruit LJ McCray get more meaningful snaps in the fall. If McCray is able to have the development similar to Sapp, the Gators will have four of the SEC’s best pass rushers. 

To help Peterson continue to develop the group, the Gators recently hired former Gator linebacker David Reese as a quality control coach with the edge rushers. Reese, who played for the Gators from 2016 to 2019, could be seen giving instruction in practice and seems to have a solid knowledge of the position and will be a definite asset to the program.

David Reese and Tyreak Sapp (Chris Spears photo)

Other Notes:

Receiver Tre’ Wilson looks to be improving from a lower body injury that sidelined him most of last season. Wilson looks to be cutting aggressively and continues to show elite ability to catch the football. Wilson should return to full strength by the beginning of fall practice.

Former 5-star CB Cormani McClain, is now listed at 6-1.5, 182 pounds. McClain’s physical improvements have been the talk of the offseason, putting on 20 pounds, and hit a top speed of 23 MPH in testing. McClain looks to be in the middle of a crowded competition of talented cornerbacks this spring. 

Receiver Tre' Wilson (Chris Spears photo)