Florida football: 247 Sports names four Gator freshmen to look out for
By Will Thomas
![Florida Gators wide receiver Andy Jean (6) keeps his eye on the ball while running pass routes Thursday. The University of Florida Gators held a Spring football practice at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, March 9, 2023. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]Gai Uffootballspring3](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Facf0ca8e295d525a6db3327d1462f0656499d3aa2b37b89145bc7875134c5111.jpg "Florida Gators wide receiver Andy Jean (6) keeps his eye on the ball while running pass routes Thursday. The University of Florida Gators held a Spring football practice at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, March 9, 2023. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]Gai Uffootballspring3")
![Florida Gators offensive lineman Knijeah Harris (77) takes a breather between drills. The University of Florida Football team held their 2023 Football Spring Practice Tuesday afternoon, April 4, 2023 at Sanders Football Practice Field at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]2023 tFlgai 040623 Uf Spring Fb 4075 De](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F9b627e47cfb61d596bdec6889447c84887571962031a6665ce3e2633bc8b2c46.jpg "Florida Gators offensive lineman Knijeah Harris (77) takes a breather between drills. The University of Florida Football team held their 2023 Football Spring Practice Tuesday afternoon, April 4, 2023 at Sanders Football Practice Field at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]2023 tFlgai 040623 Uf Spring Fb 4075 De")
Florida football freshmen to watch: Knijeah Harris
Another offensive freshman set to make a name for himself this fall is Knijeah Harris out of IMG Academy.
Harris, the 3-star guard who came in expecting to be a depth piece for the Gators is now getting first-team reps with Micah Mazzccua’s shoulder issues.
And now that he’s been given the chance, he’s proving that he belongs.
Part of why he’s been better than expected to this point in camp is because he’s done a great job of getting his body in better shape for SEC ball. Coming in he was 335 pounds, which is a little more than you want a 6’3” guy to have on his frame.
He’s now down to around 320, which has paid dividends for him in terms of his mobility and durability.
Plus, Knijeah is a perfect fit for Napier’s offense in Gainesville. His strengths fit in perfectly with a power-run offense, which is exactly what the Gators will be running for the next few years.
He also has a solid skill set to fall back and pass block, so he won’t be a liability on the one when the Gators do decide to throw.
If Micah Mazzccua does get healthy and come back, he is expected to take the starting job at guard. But there is still lots of belief within the program that regardless of if he starts or not, Harris will still make a big impact this season.