Florida Gators' official depth chart against Miami Hurricanes
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators are just days away from opening the 2024 football season against the Miami Hurricanes.
“We’re excited about the opener. The Swamp is sold out. We certainly, for the opener, but for season tickets and it’s good to be at home. We’re really proud of our team and believe in our team. We’ve had a terrific offseason. We’ve been very impressed with all phases and we’re right in the middle of dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s here,” Napier said on the SEC Teleconference Wednesday afternoon. A ton of respect for our opponent. I think, obviously, they have been building a program with a very similar timeline to us. They continue to improve their roster and establish who they are and what they will be.
“This is an in-state rivalry and there’s certainly an element to that that’s part of the game. I’m excited to watch our guys play. They’re looking forward to competing.”
Florida Gators depth chart vs Miami Hurricanes
Notes
Montrell Johnson is back
The Gators’ senior running back sustained a knee injury early on in fall camp. Johnson had arthroscopic knee surgery but was able to come back to practice last week and will start against Miami.
Quarterback
There was no surprise about the Florida quarterbacks. Redshirt senior Graham Mertz will start while true freshman DJ Lagway will serve as his primary backup.
“We have one of the best quarterbacks in the entire country on our team. I think Graham Mertz — you start with that. He’s the leader of our team. It’s been his team from day one of the offseason. He’s been fantastic,” Florida head coach Billy Napier said.
“I think we have a really young, talented player, who’s inexperienced. He’s been able to observe Graham and the way he’s done it. That’s been very beneficial. It’s also been exciting for our offensive staff because they’re a little bit different type of players, too.”
RELATED: Billy Napier addresses potential for Florida Gators two-QB system
“Or” War
The Gators’ first depth chart of the season had more than 15 “or” listed on it. That included starting jobs at middle linebacker between Pup Howard and Derek Wingo and at star between Sharif Denson and Aaron Gates.
There will also continue to be competition on special teams between the returners. Montrell Johnson, Elijhah Badger, Jadan Baugh and Ja’Kobi Jackson are all listed as potential starting kick returners. While Eugene Wilson and Chimere Dike were listed at punt returner with an or between them.
![Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier walks during the first half at the Orange and Blue spring football game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, April 13, 2024. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/height=215,width=393,quality=90,fit=cover,gravity=0.5x0.5/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/04/18141240/Untitled-design-72-2.png)
