Florida Football: Five Gator players to watch during the Las Vegas Bowl

No, the Las Vegas Bowl doesn’t matter. The Gators could lose by 35 points, and it has zero impact on the future of Florida football. A gazillion guys are sitting out and the team has spent more time on the Vegas strip than in the film room preparing for Oregon State.

And that’s okay because the Las Vegas Bowl doesn’t matter.

Having said that, there are a handful of players that will see an increase in snap counts on Saturday and who need to have solid games from an individual perspective to show everyone they are ready heading into 2023.

Florida Football: Kamryn Waites (#75, Right Guard)

Waites came to Florida from Louisiana with Billy Napier and has spent the bulk of the year on the special teams unit. Listed at 6-8, 373 pounds, Waites has the size needed and then some to hold down the O-line in the SEC.

With O’Cyrus Torrence sitting out the Las Vegas Bowl to prepare for the NFL, Waites has been elevated into starting RG. On paper, Waites is the projected starter for next season.

Florida Football: Jack Miller (#10, Quarterback)

Jack Miller is finally getting his chance with Florida football, even if it’s under circumstances we would rather not discuss. 

Miller was a four-star prospect and the 13th ranked pro style QB coming out of high school, so it’s not like he’s a charity case walk-on that Tom Rinaldi is going to come and do a story on. He came to Florida because he was beat out at Ohio State by Justin Fields and C.J. Stroud.

While he became an afterthought this season, Miller still has enough pedigree that could lead to something magical.

Florida Football: Derek Wingo (#15, Linebacker)

Wingo came to Florida with high aspirations after being named the Florida Gatorade Player of the Year in 2019. With Ventrell Miller also opting out to prepare for the NFL, Wingo will take his spot. Wingo appeared in 11 of the 12 games this year, starting one.

His impact this year was minimal as he was credited with four solo tackles all season. But with Amari Burney also slated to graduate and with Shemar James and Scooby Williams as the only other notable linebacker coming back, Wingo will be thrust into the spotlight next season.

Florida Football: Jack Pyburn (#44, Jack)

Pyburn has seen the field seven times this season on special teams. He is an interesting case because his prospect status out of high school was that high. He was a three-star prospect ranked 435th in the country.

But if you have never seen his Hudl highlights from his senior year, you should do so. His tape makes him look like a one-man wrecking crew and he looks like he downs three Monsters and two Red Bulls before every game.

At 6-3, 263 pounds he has the size to play the Jack position left vacant by Brenton Cox. Whether he has the size or technique remains to be seen.

He is currently listed third on the depth chart for Saturday.

Florida Football: Kamari Wilson (#5, Safety)

We’ve caught glimpses of Wilson throughout the year, and one would assume that Napier is going to give him even more time on Saturday. With Trey Dean set to graduate, Wilson is the presumed safety of the future for Florida football.

Wilson’s play this year was a mix of good along with some freshman mistakes that should get cleaned up with more playing time.

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