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Five critical players for Florida Football in 2024 who were not starters vs Miami

Some players who have emerged as key members were not viewed as starters back in August

By Benjamin Henderson

Nov 23, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) throws the ball against the Mississippi Rebels during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Nov 23, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) throws the ball against the Mississippi Rebels during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images / Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
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As with every season for Florida Football, there have been players who have emerged as the season has progressed, while others have not panned out how we hoped.

One of the themes for Billy Napier in 2025 to make sure he sets his offseason depth chart correctly because the following are five key players for the Gators in 2024 who were considered backups when the season began.

DJ Lagway

We will get the obvious one out of the way, but it is notable that the savior for the Gators in 2024, and frankly the savior for Billy Napier, is a guy who wouldn't have even played against Miami if not for Graham Mertz getting hurt. Mind you, this was after Napier had claimed there would be a plan to get Lagway into the game, but it was clear there was no plan.

As the season progressed, Lagway was relegated to a clunky rotation that we were not a fan of until Mertz was hurt for good, and Lagway took over the reins full-time.

Elijhah Badger

If you are sitting there going, "Wait, what?" Elijhah Badger was not a starter against Miami, according to Florida's official box score. And if you think that is just arguing over semantics, go back to the preseason literature where Napier legit told everyone there was a competition between Badger and Kahleil Jackson.

Badger now has 778 yards receiving and four touchdowns. If he can have a monster game against FSU, the possibility of hitting 1,000 yards isn't outside the realm of possibility if he plays in Florida's bowl game.

Jadan Baugh

We all saw Jadan Baugh ball out in Florida's spring game but when it came time for the season to begin he was relegated to third string duty behind Montrell Johnson and Treyaun Webb.

Baugh had single digit snaps in each of the first four games of the season before Webb and Johnson got hurt, turning Baugh into Florida's lead back.

Baugh has 522 yards rushing off 108 carries and eight total touchdowns on the season.

Tyreak Sapp

We noted that Tyreak Sapp needed more snaps coming out of the Miami loss. For the first three games of the season he was given under 30 snaps and was used in rotation.

38 tackles and six sacks later, it's safe to say Sapp should have been getting more snaps to begin the season and if he opts to come back in 2025 he will be a key cog along the defensive line.

Jack Pyburn

When we talk about the improvements in Florida's defense and how they feel like they are way more aggressive now than they were against Miami, Jack Pyburn is emblematic of this newfound aggressiveness and energy.

Pyburn doesn't have any sacks but he does have 56 tackles on the season. Just as notable, and something that doesn't show up in a stat sheet, is his willingness to blow up a pulling guard or tackle on run plays.

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