Gators have the experience to be much improved in 2024

Billy Napier has his most experienced team yet at UF (Photo by Chris Spears)

Growing pains were part of Billy Napier’s Saturday routine last fall when the Gators were one of the youngest teams in the entire country. The Gators just couldn’t grow up fast enough, which had plenty to do with Florida’s 5-7 record. A play here, a play there, the kind experienced players make instinctively and eight or nine wins could have been had.

So many kids who learned their lessons the hard way are back for the 2024 season, bolstered by transfers that bring 213 starts and 368 games of experience to the lineup. Of course, the single most important position when it comes to experience is quarterback where Graham Mertz returns for his second year as the UF starter. Counting his time at Wisconsin, Mertz has 43 career starts, which makes him the second most experienced quarterback in Division I football heading into the 2024 season.

Billy Donovan once quipped, “Another year older doesn’t necessarily mean you’re another year better.” As true as that may be, there is no substitute for been there, done that and this year the Gators have far more experience than they’ve had in either of Napier’s previous two seasons on the job at UF.

Here is a position by position look at the Gators with game experience and starts listed:

Tackles (9)

Brandon Crenshaw-Dixon (35 starts, 38 games): He was the right tackle during the spring, but could slide down to right guard with Austin Barber taking over on the outside.

Austin Barber (13 starts, 24 games): Barber’s shoulder is healthy again and he will likely move back to the right side where he was most effective as a redshirt freshman.

Kamryn Waites (3 starts, 24 games): If he can stay healthy he could have a breakout season.

Devon Manuel (4 starts, 10 games): He’s an Arkansas transfer with a huge wingspan and very quick feet. Should start at left tackle.

Christian Williams (5 games): He’s a grinder who could also slide down to guard.

Freshmen and redshirts with ZERO experience (4):  Caden Jones, Fletcher Westphal, Mike Williams, Enoch Wagnoy

Looking ahead: There are 55 starts with experience in 101 games. Among the kids, Caden Jones and Fletcher Westphal are going to grow into absolute monsters.

Guards (7)

Riley Simonds (16 games): He is a career backup but a good person to have in the locker room.

Dameion George Jr. (14 starts, 27 games): He struggled at right tackle. He’s better suited to play guard.

Knijeah Harris (1 start, 12 games): Huge upside. Pencil him in at left guard.

Freshmen and redshirts with ZERO experience (3): Jason Zandamela, Bryce Lovett, Noah Portnjagin, Marcus Mascoll  

Looking ahead: There are 15 starts and 45 games of experience, but Crenshaw-Dixon could slide inside and Waites has proven he can play inside, too. Zandamela isn’t going to ride the pine.

Jake Slaughter (66) is the smart, tough guy in the middle of the UF O-line (Photo by Chris Spears)

Centers (2)

Jake Slaughter (8 starts, 25 games): He got progressively better as the 2024 season moved along. Cerebral, tough guy who reads opposing defenses and makes the right line calls.

Redshirt with ZERO experience: Roderick Kearney

Looking ahead: Slaughter is indispensable. Kearney has a strong upside. Knijeah Harris could also play center. 

Only one quarterback in Division I is more experienced than Graham Mertz (Photo by Chris Spears)

Quarterbacks (4)

Graham Mertz (43 starts, 45 games): There is only one quarterback in the country with more starts than Mertz. He was very good last year. He will be even better in 2024.

Clay Millen (11 starts, 13 games): He started 10 games in 2022 at Colorado State and was the opening day starter in 2023 when he got hurt and missed the rest of the year. Good arm, smart guy.  

Freshmen and redshirts with ZERO experience (2): DJ Lagway, Aidan Warner

Looking ahead: The Gators have 54 Division I starts and 58 games worth of experience. Mertz came back to win football games and he’s going to get his wish. Lagway is the QB of the future. He will have a special package of plays in 2024 that will keep opposing D-coordinators up late at night.

Running backs (6)

Montrell Johnson Jr. (20 starts, 39 games): He has 2,496 career rushing yards. Pencil him in for at least 1,200 in 2024.

Cam Carroll (25 starts, 40 games): He missed last year with a knee injury after transferring in from Tulane. Power guy with surprising speed and great hands out of the backfield.

Treyaun Webb (11 games): It’s a matter of when not if he’s a star.

Freshmen and redshirts with ZERO experience (3): Ja’Kobi Jackson, Jaden Baugh, KD Daniels

Looking ahead: The Florida running backs room has 45 starts and 90 games of experience. The Gators are going to be VERY good running the ball. Somehow Jaden Baugh and KD Daniels are going to see the field. UF is stacked.

Tight ends (8)

Caleb Rillos (20 starts, 34 games): After three years in the Air Force offense, he’s like having an extra tackle. Can he catch?

Keon Zipperer (6 starts, 39 games): Missed last year with an injury. He’s a very difficult matchup.

Arlis Boardingham (2 starts, 13 games): This should be a breakout season. He could double as a big wide receiver.

Hayden Hanson (9 starts, 12 games): He’s grown and has a year of experience under his belt. He will help make the running game go.

Scott Isacks (7 games): Walk-on who will be valuable on special teams.

Tony Livingston (7 games): Freaky athlete who has a huge upside.

Freshman with ZERO experience: Gavin Hill, Amir Jackson

Looking ahead: With 37 starts and 112 games of experience, the Gators have numerous packages that can create issues for opposing defenses. Boardingham will be more involved in the downfield passing game. Amir Jackson might be so good they have to find snaps for him.

Wide receivers (10)

Chimere Dike (31 starts, 44 games): He and Mertz were a passing game item during their days together at Wisconsin. Sneaky fast but a dependable guy who can get you a first down.

Elijhah Badger (23 starts, 35 games): He has 142 career catches and a legit deep threat. He’s an Arizona State transfer. The last ASU wide receiver transfer (Ricky Pearsall) turned out pretty well, didn’t he?

Ja’Quavion Fraziars (1 start, 42 games): A world of talent with size and speed. Does he put it together this year?

Marcus Burke (1 start, 18 games): Some people say he is as talented as any receiver on the team but consistency has been an issue. He could be a deep threat.

Kahliel Jackson (9 starts, 19 games): He’s Willie’s kid so you know he is physical and can catch the ball. Very underrated and faster than he looks.

Eugene Wilson III (7 starts, 10 games): Superstar in the making. Caught 61 passes mostly drag patterns, bubble screens and underneath stuff a year ago. This year the SEC learns he can go deep.

Andy Jean (4 games): He’s got the physical attributes to be very good in the future.

Aidan Mizell (2 games): Serious, serious speed. He will see the field.

Redshirt freshmen, freshmen and others with ZERO experience: TJ Abrams, Tank Hawkins

Looking ahead: The best wide receivers coach in the SEC (Billy Gonzales) is almost giddy when he sees all the talent and speed in his room. The Gators have 72 starts and 174 games of experience plus more speed than they’ve had on the outside since 2019. Graham Mertz doesn’t lack for targets.

Defensive linemen

Joey Slackman (20 starts, 29 games): He was the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year. Super smart, very physical and a real leader.

Desmond Watson (10 starts, 28 games): At some point he’s got to get his weight down (465 in the spring). At a cool 400 he could dominate at nose tackle.

Cam Jackson (24 starts, 45 games): If he can collapse the pocket from the inside he will be a real weapon on defense.

Caleb Banks (11 starts, 18 games): He can play inside and outside. He’s just starting to figure things out.

Jamari Lyons (1 start, 15 games): Very functional, physical guy.

Kelby Collins (12 games): Coaches were very impressed with him after he moved inside during the spring.

Freshmen, redshirts with ZERO experience: Michael Boireau, D’Antre Robinson

Looking ahead: It has been a long time since the Gators had a D-line with 66 starts and 147 games of experience under their belts. Slackman is a difference maker who will make everyone around him better. Freshman D’Antre Robinson is a future stud.

Tyreak Sapp (94) is Florida's most experienced returning edge rusher (Photo by Chris Spears)

EDGE (10)

Ja’Markis Weston (37 games): He’s tremendous on special teams. Started out at WR, moved to S, moved to LB and now is an EDGE guy.

Justus Boone (2 starts, 15 games): Losing him to a knee injury last year was devastating for the defense. He’s back and is said to be stronger, faster and very hungry.

George Gumbs Jr. (7 starts, 24 games): Athletic freak started his career at Northern Illinois as a wide receiver, then moved to tight end. He led the MAC in sacks last year, his first year coming off the edge.

Quincy Ivory (10 games): Very athletic. Started his collegiate career as a quarterback at Mississippi Valley State.

Tyreak Sapp (11 starts, 24 games): He’s rock solid. With better personnel around him, he should have a much better 2024.

Jack Pyburn (1 start, 16 games): Tough guy that the coaches really love.

Kamran James (12 games): Still growing. Lots of physical ability and speed.

TJ Searcy (12 games): With a year experience under his belt, watch this guy come on strong.

Freshmen, redshirts with ZERO experience: LJ McCray, Brien Taylor Jr.

Looking ahead: Not a lot of starts (21) but a lot of experience (150 games). Gators couldn’t get to the QB last year. That will change this year. Gumbs is going to be a steal from the portal. LJ McCray is a stud freshman and Brien Taylor is a juco with real pass rushing ability.

Linebackers (9)

Derek Wingo (3 starts, 46 games): Wingo’s leadership is essential for the success of the defense. If he can stay healthy he’ll be a solid contributor.

RJ Moten (16 starts, 36 games): He’s moved down from safety to linebacker. His dad was a stud linebacker for Charley Pell way back when.

Mannie Nunnery (11 starts, 36 games): Flirted with the portal but came back. Special teams demon who could have a big year.

Shemar James (12 starts, 21 games): He was the second leading tackler on the team despite playing only eight games before he had a season-ending injury.

Grayson Howard (11 games): Big physical guy who transferred in from South Carolina, where he had a fine freshman year. Big loss for the Gamecocks. Big gain for UF.

Deuce Spurlock II (5 games): Speedy guy who transferred in from Michigan last year but didn’t make an impact.

Jaden Robinson (1 start, 12 games): The talent is there. The consistency has been lacking.  

Freshmen, redshirts and others with ZERO experience: Myles Graham, Aaron Chiles

Looking ahead: With 43 starts and 162 games of experience, the Gators will be better. James and Howard may turn into as good an inside combo as there is in the SEC. Myles Graham and Aaron Chiles are going to be legitimate studs.

Corners

Jason Marshall Jr. (32 starts, 38 games): There aren’t many corners in the country with as much experience as Marshall. If the Gators can generate some pass rush, he’ll have an All-SEC type of season.

Devin Moore (12 games): The key for Moore is to stay healthy. He’s ideal for handling big wide receivers.

Sharif Denson (12 games): Solid guy who played a lot last year and should be improved.

Ja’Keem Jackson (11 games): Real ball hawk skills that he got from being a stud WR in high school.

Cormani McClain (4 starts, 9 games): Former 5-star who was on the field a lot as a freshman at Colorado. Needs some physical strength but could be the starter opposite Marshall.

Dijon Johnson (12 games): See Denson and Jackson. He’s got talent, just needs more PT.

Freshmen, redshirts and others with ZERO experience: Jameer Grimsley, Teddy Foster

Looking ahead: Other than Marshall, not a lot of starting experience, but a lot of game experience (36 starts, 94 games). Moore, McClain and Grimsley are likely to get the bulk of playing time.

Safeties

Asa Turner (28 starts, 44 games): He’s the smart guy on the back end that will get everyone in the right place. Washington transfer who thrived in 2021 when now UF secondary coach Will Harris was in charge of the UDub secondary.

Trikweze Bridges (17 starts, 39 games): He’s a wild card. Safety skills and strength to handle handle tight ends and enough speed to handle the guys in the slot.  

DJ Douglas (13 starts, 38 games): Tulane people say losing him was a crippling blow to their defense for 2024. Hits a ton, has great ball instincts and he doesn’t miss tackles.

Jordan Castell (11 starts, 12 games): Big physical safety who led the team in tackles as a true freshman. He will be a whole lot better surrounded by better players this year.

Bryce Thornton (4 starts, 11 games): He makes plays. He will be on the field early and often.

Aaron Gates (4 games): He’s healthy now and should be a factor long term.

Freshmen, redshirts and others with ZERO experience: Gregory Smith III, Josiah Davis

Looking ahead: Billy Napier scored big in the portal with Turner, Bridges and Douglas to go with Castell. The Gators have 73 starts and 158 games of experience. There will be a lot fewer passes completed over the middle. 

Trey Smack (29) hit 17-21 of his field goals, all with Jeremy Crawshaw (26) holding (Photo by Chris Spears)

Special teams

Jeremy Crawshaw (40 games): If he had gotten enough attempts, he would have finished second in the nation both in 2022 and 2023. Career average 46.7 per punt.

Trey Smack (19 games): He hit 17-21 on his field goals a year ago and didn’t miss an extra point. Range to about 54 on field goals.

Rocco Underwood (26 games): Experienced snapper who is seriously consistent.