Three weeks into Florida’s fall training camp, a handful of hungry Gators have stepped up, emerging as leaders within their position groups and delivering physically ahead of the season.
With the season only two weeks away, here’s who’s made strides thus far:
Offensive line
With the combination of sophomore Bryce Lovett and seniors Austin Barber, George Damieon Jr. and Jake Slaughter, Florida has put together one of the strongest offensive fronts in the country. With players like Slaughter and George stepping up to lead the offense while those like Lovett and Barber continuing to impress physically, the Gators’ line looks poised to set the tone up front this season.
“I love Jake [Slaughter] because he makes everybody around him better. His number one most admirable trait, is his ability to elevate the others around him and how they play and how they live life,” Florida coach Billy Napier said about the three-time First-Team Preseason All American center.
Also in his last season at UF, Damieon George Jr. has looked to become one of the leaders for the offense that can pass knowledge down to young players. Along with improving his own physicality, George highlighted the raw talent of sophomore Bryce Lovett, putting a spotlight on the tackle’s dedication to improving. Lovett was also highlighted as a competitive lineman who has had a good camp by Napier.
“Bryce is extremely good and I feel like he’s going to be one of the best in the country at his position,” George said.
Backfield
Sophomore running back Jaden Baugh and Senior Ja’Kobi Jackson are the one-two punch behind Florida’s towering line. Paired with sophomore Treyaun Webb, Florida has a three-headed monster manning the backfield entering 2025.
Baugh has garnered consistent praise through training camp and has been labeled by multiple as the strongest pound-for-pound player UF has ever had. Jackson brings his own shiftiness and physicality, highlighted by his 198-yard, three-touchdown performance in UF’s 2025 Orange and Blue spring game.
With the clock ticking towards the season’s kickoff, Florida’s offense and coach Napier has given due praise to their top running backs.
“He’s very unique for his size, to be able to be that explosive and have that level of skill as a route runner,” Napier said about Baugh. “He has unique ball skills, but he’s got a great attitude, he’s got good energy, he’s fun to be around. I think he’s a smart player.”
Quarterback Room
With Florida star quarterback DJ Lagway still looking to return to 100% following injury, the team has maximized the reps of freshman Tramell Jones Jr. senior Bailey Harrison, and sophomore Aidan Warner, which Napier says has allowed the team “an opportunity to really figure out who the backup is.”
“Tramell Jones is buzz worthy,” Napier said. “He has got more reps with the first and second units.”
The coach also broke down the true freshman’s performance in camp, explaining that Jones needs to operate and process quicker, communicate better under the gun and play clock, and manage problems as they arise. However, Napier made sure to note that Jones is capable of playing at UF and played well in the scrimmage.
“[He’s] made some plays with his feet, he made some off-schedule plays,” he said.
Despite the standout performance of Jones and the unwavering ethic exhibited by Harrison and Warner, Napier still claims that the backup job still has not been determined and that there is plenty of time to evaluate and figure it out as the quarterbacks continue to work through training camp.
Pass-catchers
Rounding out the offense, Florida’s wide receiver room has brought explosiveness to the field, with multiple standout pass-catchers shining in camp.
Despite injuries that have left promising receivers sophomore Eugene Wilson III and former-five star freshman Dallas Wilson “day-to-day and week-to-week”, Florida has seen players like freshman Vernell Brown III and senior transfer J. Michael Sturdivant make great strides in training camp.
Along with Sturdivant revealing himself as a key piece of UF’s offense, Brown III is one of the emerging players in camp, according to Napier. The coach described the true freshman as mature, aware and durable, also adding that he is decisive, plays fast for a young player and has an opportunity to immediately impact the team as a freshman.
Florida’s tight end room has also impressed, with junior Hayden Hansen and freshman Amir Jackson improving throughout camp. Hansen has stepped up into the role of a leader for UF this offseason and, with a chip on his shoulder in the passing game, has found more success in the offense as a route runner, noting that he got a high volume of catches at the start of fall camp.
Amir Jackson has also turned heads in camp by adding muscle to his frame. With a blend of strength, size and toughness, Jackson continues to improve as a tight end Napier can rely on.
“He’s wiry, he has play strength, he’s not scared to put his face in there,” Napier said. “He’s proven to be a tough, physical player… he’s just showing a little bit more precision, he’s showing that he’s capable of being a guy potentially that we could put in there and count on.”
Defense
On the defensive side, seniors Tyreek Sapp and George Gumbs Jr. are two of Florida’s linemen who have been consistently praised for their work ethic and ability to step up as leaders to fuel and run the defense. Furthermore, Napier says sophomore defensive linemen Brendan Bett is a hard-working, smart player who has hit the ground running in camp.
Sophomores LJ McCray and Cormani McClain are also two defensive players who have been regarded as greatly improved. With an offseason spent in the weight room, UF’s edge rusher McCray and defensive back McClain are in great shape and continuing to make notable improvement.
Additionally, freshman defensive back Ben Hanks III has had a good couple of practices, according to Napier. Sophomore linebacker Aaron Chiles is also another player who had a great offseason. Napier thinks Chiles gained valuable experience last season and praised his great position flexibility, pass rush ability and attitude.
Rounding out Florida’s stacked defensive front, true freshman Jayden Woods and junior Kamran James have received some of the highest praise from coaches and teammates. In fact, Napier even referred to Woods as “a unicorn”, underscoring the young edge rusher’s focus, physicality and mindset.
Moreover, Kamran James is a veteran player who has become “a student of the game”, according to Napier, allowing him to to trust his eyes more and greatly improve his footwork.
“Kam James is a starter in our mind. We see him as a guy who can go out there and play winning football,” Napier said. “He’s got an incredible future in front of him and he’s one of the best football players that we have.”
Contact Curan Ahern at cahern@alligator.org. Follow him on X at @CuranAhern.
Curan is the men's tennis beat reporter and a second-year journalism sports & media major. He enjoys spending his free time with pets, at the beach and fishing.
