Florida Gators adds an elite talent in No. 1 DL LJ McCray

On3’s top-ranked defensive lineman in the 2024 cycle announced his commitment on Saturday when LJ McCray pledged to Florida. The five-star chose the Gators over Auburn, Georgia, Florida State and Miami.

McCray is the third On3 Industry Ranking five-star to join Florida’s 2024 class along with quarterback DJ Lagway and safety Xavier Filsaime. The Daytona (Fla.) Mainland standout has been a positive outlier in On3’s rankings for much of the cycle and has a massive rise up the the On3 Industry Ranking in recent weeks. McCray currently ranks as the No. 8 overall prospect and No. 1 defensive lineman in the 2024 On300.

Let’s get into what LJ McCray brings to Gainesville.

LJ McCray has elite physical attributes

LJ McCray is one of the more physically-gifted defensive linemen in the 2024 cycle. He most recently checks in at around 6-foot-6, 280 pounds. McCray has elite length, with arms that have measured at over 34.5 inches on college visits. The five-star also has big hands that measure 10.5 inches.

The stature and frame are among the very best at the position in 2024. We’ve seen McCray steadily fill out his big frame over the past year, adding around 25 pounds of solid mass that he carries well.

The considerable size and length are augmented by McCray’s high-end athleticism. He put up some eye-catching marks in the combine setting over the past two years. Back in the spring, McCray ripped off a sub-5.0-second 40-yard dash on the laser timing system at Under Armour’s Orlando camp. He backed that up with a shuttle time in the 4.5’s. Other than Five-star Plus+ EDGE Williams Nwaneri, you’d be hard pressed to find a jumbo defender with better measurables than LJ McCray.

McCray continuing to rise with a dominant senior season

Those elite physical traits have combined with a high effort level to make LJ McCray one of the more dominant defenders in the 2024 cycle midway through his senior season. While the signs of improvement were there late in his junior season and during his spring game, McCray has exploded as a senior.

The five-star is living in the backfield on Friday nights. McCray primarily lines up as a big defensive end for Mainland. The first-step quickness is readily apparent. He fires off the snap and is often in the backfield before offensive linemen know what’s happened. We also see active and violent hands at the point of attack. McCray implements his plus length to initiate contact with offensive linemen. He is able to stun and neutralize block attempts before quickly disengaging.

The athleticism flashes with high-end closing speed both behind the line of scrimmage and in pursuit. We also see a very encouraging effort level from McCray. The number of second-effort plays he makes is a good sign. The combination of physical tools and competitive character manifest in a dominant player on Friday nights and serve as a positive indicator for his long-term prospects. The ability to make plays behind the line of scrimmage at a high rate jives with what we like to see from highly-ranked defensive linemen. If the first half of his senior season is any indication, McCray has the look of a rapidly ascending prospect.

LJ McCray’s impact for Florida

Suffice to say, LJ McCray is a huge get for Billy Napier and Florida. He’s a top in-state talent at a position that is essential to competing in the SEC. The big frame and athleticism give Florida defensive coordinator Austin Anderson a versatile piece on the defensive front who could play multiple spots on the Gators’ front.

The combination of high-end physical tools and dominant play as a senior point to both a high floor and ceiling as a prospect. At this rate, it’s not out of bounds to expect McCray to make an early impact at Florida. That’s in addition to the long-term upside, which is substantial.

Adding an elite talent of McCray’s ilk gives the Gators another talented difference-maker in the nation’s No. 3 recruiting class.