Florida Gators Roster breakdown as pads go on Today

DT Jeremiah McCloud hits a sled during a practice drill on Tuesday (Photo by Chris Spears)

The pads go on and football gets very serious for the Florida Gators today. With 24 days remaining until the season opener with Florida Atlantic at The Swamp, Jon Sumrall has 93 players on scholarship, 45 on offense, 42 on defense and six on special teams.

Talent isn’t an issue for Sumrall and the Gators, but depth and experience pose potential issues at several positions, starting with quarterback where Aaron Philo and former walk-on Aidan Warner have exactly two starts between them. The size and strength are more than adequate at tackle, but experience is lacking. At linebacker, the Gators have seven scholarship bodies, three of them outstanding, but most experts believe it takes at least nine to make it through an SEC schedule.

Here is a position-by-position breakdown of the scholarship players with concerns that follow each unit.    

OFFENSE (45 ON SCHOLARSHIP)

QUARTERBACK (4)

Aaron Philo (6-1, 207, RSO); Tramell Jones Jr. (6-0, 196, RFR); Will Griffin (6-3, 219, FR); Aidan Warner (6-3, 202, RJR)

Concerns: There are exactly two starts among this group – one by Philo at Georgia Tech and one by Warner at Texas in 2024 when DJ Lagway was hurt. There is no question Philo and Jones are bright, talented young guys but game three at Auburn will begin a 9-game SEC gauntlet, the kind of which will either bring out the best in them or humble them. Philo has great natural running instincts while Jones has a strong enough arm that safeties will back off when he’s in the game. Philo likely will start the season at No. 1 but for how long?

RUNNING BACK (5)

Jadan Baugh (6-1, 225, JR); Evan Pryor (5-10, 189, RSR); London Montgomery (5-10, 192, RJR); Duke Clark (6-2, 208, RFR); Byron Louis (6-0, 195, RFR)

Concerns: None. Baugh is one of the five best backs in the country, now with the opportunity to work in an innovative offense after toiling the last two years in a predictable, pedestrian scheme. Baugh should average between 15-20 carries per game, leaving another 15-17 to be shared by teammates. Pryor and Montgomery are former top 10 recruits who joined the Gators from the transfer portal. Both have make-you-miss moves, good hands catching the ball and they’re good enough to play in the slot where they will give the Gators an additional running threat. Clark has the size and speed to be the running back of the future.

WIDE RECEIVER (11)

Eric Singleton Jr. (5-10, 184, SR); Vernell Brown III (5-11, 178, SO); Dallas Wilson (6-3, 212, RFR); Bailey Stockton (5-10, 183, RJR); Micah Mays Jr. (6-1, 197, RJR); TJ Abrams (5-10, 198, RSO); Jaylen Lloyd (5-10, 185, RJR); Davian Groce (6-2, 199, FR); Kahliel Jackson (6-3, 214, FR); Justin Williams (5-11, 199, FR); Marquez Daniel (6-5, 219, FR)

Concerns: None. The Gators haven’t had this much talent and speed at wide receiver since the 2019 team which featured six who went on to play in the NFL. The Gators have the receivers. The only question is can someone get the ball to them? Singleton has 152 career catches, 104 of them when he was the go-to guy in Buster Faulkner’s Georgia Tech offense. He figures to start along with Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson, both of whom should find a lot more space to operate in the Faulkner offense. Micah Mays Jr. is a big play looking for a place to happen. Bailey Stockton is a possession guy and TJ Abrams has world class speed. He might actually see the ball. Keep an eye on Jaylen Lloyd who is a legitimate deep threat.

TIGHT END (7)

Amir Jackson (6-5, 232, RSO); Lacota Dippre (6-3, 248, RJR); Luke Harpring (6-3, 237, RSO); Evan Chieca (6-4, 253, RJR); Jaylen Jordon (6-5, 247, SR); Micah Jones (6-4, 253, RFR); Heze Kent (6-6, 288, FR)

Concerns: Blocking. The Gators have experienced pass catchers, but can they block at an SEC level? Jackson has speed and good hands, but he’s light (232) for the position. Dippre had 17 catches for James Madison’s playoff team. Harpring showed good hands at Georgia Tech and Chieca was a reliable pass catcher (31 receptions) at DII New Haven. Jordon is a former basketball player trying his hand at football.

TACKLES (8)

Emeka Ugorji (6-4, 308, SO); Caden Jones (6-8, 319, RJR); Eagan Boyer (6-8, 306, RSO); Fletcher Westphal (6-8, 309, RSO); Jahari Medlock (6-5, 309, RFR); Chancellor Campbell (6-8, 318, FR); Tyler Chukuyem (6-6, 300, FR); Javarli Lucas (6-6, 313, FR)

Concerns: Plenty. Phil Trautwein has his work cut out for him with this group. Once past Ugorji,  who started at Stanford last year, and Jones, who took over right tackle for UF in the last half of 2025, there isn’t much in the way of experience. Boyer came from Penn State where Trautwein was his coach. Westphal is long on potential but playing time has been minimal because he can’t stay healthy. If Boyer and Westphal are capable of giving rotation minutes, this unit could be better than expected. A fifth guy in the rotation has to be developed. There isn’t enough quality depth so these guys have to stay healthy.

GUARDS (8)

Knijeah Harris (6-3, 308, SR); TJ Shanahan (6-4, 309, RJR); Roderick Kearney (6-4, 303, RJR); Bryce Lovett (6-5, 305, RJR); TJ Dice Jr. (6-3, 298, RFR); Daniel Pierre Louis (6-4, 327, RFR); G’Nivre Carr (6-4, 311, FR); Desmond Green (6-5, 321, FR)

Concerns: Minimal. Harris will be a fourth-year starter. Shanahan has emerged as a team leader. He knows Trautwein’s system and is a mauler in the running game. Kearney and Lovett have a lot of experience. Kearney can shift over to center if there are injuries. Lovett is versatile enough to slide over to tackle. Like tackle, there isn’t a lot of experience after the first four guys, but if they stay healthy they should be very good.

CENTERS (2)

Harrison Moore (6-4, 293, JR); Jason Zandamela (6-3, 286, RSO)

Concerns: None as long as Harrison Moore stays healthy. He’s drawing comparisons to Jake Slaughter by the guys who were here last year. Tough enough to handle a nose tackle by himself, athletic enough to lead a sweep or get to the second level. Zandamela is long on potential but extremely short on experience. If anything happens to Moore, Rod Kearney may shift over from guard to be the replacement.

DEFENSE (42 ON SCHOLARSHIP)

ENDS (5)

Kamran James (6-6, 278, SR); Emmanuel Oyebadejo (6-6, 299, RSR); TJ McCray (6-6, 277, RSO); Jaylen Wiggins (6-5, 271, RFR); JaReylan McCoy (6-7, 268, FR)

Concerns: Potentially a force as pass rushers, but can they stuff the run? James has put together solid seasons back-to-back. Oyebadejo had a spectacular season as a pass rusher at Jacksonville State last year, but can he do it against SEC tackles? McCray is in the best shape of his life and appears ready to put it all together for an impact season. Depth is in short supply. Injuries must be avoided.

TACKLES (8)

Brendan Bett (6-4, 319, RJR); Joseph Mbatchou (6-5, 321, SO); DK Kalu (6-3, 309, RJR); Jeremiah McCloud (6-3, 294, SO); Jamari Lyons (6-4, 312, RJR); Mason Clinton (6-5, 293, RJR); Kendal Guervil (6-5, 309, FR); Stive-Bentley Keumajou-Yondui (6-3, 295, FR)

Concerns: When it comes to sheer numbers, the Gators have it. When it comes to experience, not so much. Bett had exceptional games against Miami, Texas A&M and Ole Miss, but had games against lesser opponents in which he disappeared. Mbatchou erupted for a big game against Tennessee late season but otherwise rarely made a mark. He’s got ideal nose tackle size and mobility. Lyons can be a difference maker if he can stay healthy. Kalu and McCloud are long on potential, short on experience. Same with Clinton.

JACK (3)

Jayden Woods (6-3, 245, SO); Kofi Asare (6-5, 247, RSR); KJ Ford (6-4, 250, FR)

Concerns: Depth. Great expectations for Woods, a potentially spectacular pass rusher who can also cover in space. Sumrall raves about him for both on and off the field demeanor. Asare is experienced but not overly productive. Ford is good enough to be on the field early and often as a true freshman. Behind Woods experience and depth are a concern. Woods has to stay healthy.

LINEBACKERS (7)

Myles Graham (6-1, 228, JR); Aaron Chiles (6-3, 238, JR); Jaden Robinson (6-0, 227, SR); TJ Bullard (6-1, 213, RSR); Ty Jackson (6-2, 228, SO); Myles Johnson (6-1, 232, SO); Malik Morris (6-0, 246, FR)

Concerns: Graham, Chiles and Robinson are one of the better threesomes in the SEC. Graham is capable of an All-SEC type season. He’s rarely out of place. Run stuffer and good against the pass. Chiles was extremely productive the last seven games of 2025. Robinson’s best quality is he makes few mistakes. The problem is depth and the lack of experience behind the three starters. With only seven scholarship linebackers, the Gators can’t afford any kind of debilitating injuries.

CORNERS (9)

Jordy Lowery (5-10, 183, RSR); Dijon Johnson (6-1, 202, RJR); Cormani McClain (6-2, 181, RJR); Javier Jones (6-1, 181, RFR); J’Vari Flowers (5-10, 189, SO); Ben Hanks III (6-1, 186, RFR); Onis Konanbanny (6-0, 190, RFR); CJ Bronaugh (6-0, 183, FR); CJ Hester (6-0, 192, FR)

Concerns: Experience. The Gators don’t lack for talent, but they have experience issues. Johnson was well on his way to a big year in 2025 when he went down with a knee in game four. He’s back but until he shows he’s back 100 percent in a real game there will be questions. McClain has put on weight since he arrived after his freshman year at Colorado. He’s good in coverage but has to improve his tackling. Lowery played his first two years at Western Carolina, last year at ECU where he was outstanding in the second half of the season. Flowers played very well last year once he got a chance to play. Hanks is a ballhawk who is going to be on the field. Bronaugh has world class speed.

SAFETIES (7)

Alfonzo Allen Jr. (5-11, 196, RSR); Bryce Thornton (5-10, 211, SR); DJ Coleman (6-0, 206, SR); Cam Dooley (6-2, 207, JR); Lagonza Hayward (6-1, 207, SO); Drake Stubbs (6-1, 203, SO); Kaiden Hall (6-2, 210, FR)

Concerns: Very few. The Gators have experience and just enough depth. Best looking group of safeties in several years. Picking up Coleman and Dooley in the portal turned one of last year’s weak positions into a position of strength. Coleman is a hard hitter who plays the ball very well while Dooley plays the run well and doesn’t miss tackles. Allen didn’t play the first six games of 2025, but played very well the second half of the season. Thornton has been a regular in the lineup for three very productive years. Hayward is talented but needs more playing time.

STAR (3)

Kanye Clark (5-10, 184, RJR); Elijah Owens (6-2, 209, RSO); Dylan Purter (6-0, 185, FR)

Concerns: Experience. Clark played well coming off the bench last year at UCLA. Owens is a juco transfer with skills. If Clark were injured Bryce Thornton might be moved from safety to STAR where sure tackling and coverage as a must.

SPECIAL TEAMS (6)

KICKERS (2)

Patrick Durkin (5-11, 189, RSO); Liam Padron (5-9, 191, RSO)

Concerns: None. Durkin was 25-28 on field goal attempts at Tulane with two of the three misses from beyond 50 yards. Padron was a kickoff guy at Texas A&M last year.

PUNTERS (2)

Alec Clark (6-0, 186, RJR); Miller Fealy (6-1, 208, RSO)

Concerns: None. Clark averaged 46.52 yards per punt a year ago at Tulane, landing 16 punts inside the 20. Fealy punted at DII Southwestern Oklahoma.

LONG SNAPPERS (2)

Carter Milliron (SR); Hunter Solwold (6-3, 232, FR)

Concerns: Newbies. Milliron has experience at Louisiana and Solwold took a redshirt at Washington. Neither one has snapped in an SEC environment.