Florida Gators football has the seventh-best freshman class in the country according to 247Sports and is looking to turn things around quickly with a surge of new talent in Gainesville. Not all rookies are equal, but these guys are ready to make an immediate impact in the Swamp.
The first man that comes to mind is undoubtedly DJ RagwayThe five-star quarterback is the 12th-highest ranked recruit to have committed to the 118-year-old program.
Lagway brings excitement and speed to the Gators' offense with his outstanding athleticism. At 6-foot-2, 225 pounds and able to run the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds, Lagway has the build of a linebacker and the speed of a big receiver.
Starting his freshman year behind Graham Mertz, Lagway will of course need time on the field. We'll have a package tailored to Lagway's abilities while letting him learn under Mertz. We'll put the world on notice, show everyone what kind of player Lagway is in his freshman year, and have the option to run an offense with a quarterback who can get out of the pocket with ease. If all goes well, DJ Lagway could be that player who spins the wheel of fortune for Gators football and hits the jackpot.
Next up, he might be the most guaranteed star of the 2024 class. A 6-foot-6, 274-pound monster. LJ McCrae McCray could skyrocket the Florida Gators' defensive line ratings. Coming out of Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Fla., McCray recorded 80 tackles, 13 sacks and a state title as an interior lineman his senior year.
McCrae On3's highest rated player in his position grouphe has the size and athleticism to make an immediate impact on Florida's defense. Simply put, even on a field filled with the best athletes in the country, McCray is a man among the boys.
At the time of the contract, wide receiver Elijah Badger He sits atop 247Sports' list of top undecided offensive transfers. The redshirt junior had a great year at Arizona State, but his best season came in 2022. Career highs: 70 receptions, 866 yards, 7 touchdowns.
Badger adds depth and a deep-ball threat to a Gators receiving room that just lost No. 1 target Ricky Pearsall to the San Francisco 49ers. Pearsall also began his career at Saint Seville but flourished in the Orange and Blue, and Badger looks to follow the same path. Badger's skill set combined with three years of experience at the Division I level should make him a key player in his first season with the Gators.
He is one of three transfer students with SEC experience in this freshman class. Grayson Papp Howard He came from South Carolina to bolster Florida's linebacker corps. The University of Florida made a strong push to acquire Howard out of high school, but he decided to begin his career at South Carolina.
After one year as a Gamecock, it's time for the North Florida native to return home. Pap is a player who can be described as “Dag.” The prolific tackle inside linebacker is a run stopper who has already recorded one forced fumble in an SEC game (South Carolina vs. Vanderbilt, Nov. 11, 2023). Howard should immediately be integrated into the Gators' linebacker rotation and see significant field time for Florida as a sophomore.
After a big performance in the Orange and Blue game, Jayden Bowe He will ease the load on freshman Montrell Johnson in the Gators backfield. Gainesville and Florida State saw his arrival with 12 carries for 77 yards, one rush for 25 yards that set up DJ Lagway's first touchdown as a Gators guard, and 6.4 yards per carry.
The signing of Beau was a big win for head coach Billy Napier in strengthening the team's running back corps following the departure of Trevor Etienne. The Gators weren't the only elite team looking to acquire the four-star tailback. Florida traded Beau after he committed to Arkansas, topping Alabama in the running back acquisition war.
From the Ivy League to the SEC, Joey Slackman He will add another offensive boost to Florida's already much-improved defensive line. Slackman was named the 2023 Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year after finishing with 50 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and four sacks.
With one more year of eligibility remaining, Slackman's impact can only be felt now. It must be felt now. 247Sports' fourth-best transfer Among defensive tackles.
Gators head coach Billy Napier saw in Slackman a fit for Florida on his official visit: “He came on his official visit, and I'll be honest with you, we weren't expecting his height or his size coming through the door, but more importantly, when this guy started interacting with our staff and people throughout the organization, he made an impression. He made an impression,” Napier said in his post-signing press conference.
After three straight seven-loss seasons and a coaching change, Florida football has been in steep decline from a team that was once a formidable opponent for anyone to contend with. Florida football has yet to find success under head coach Billy Napier, but with the talent pool in Gainesville, there are no excuses. This group of freshmen, ranked among the top 10 in the country, could be the explosive force that takes Florida back to its glory days, or at least the start of the process.
