![Florida Gators defensive back Alfonzo Allen Jr. (43) intercepts the ball during the second half at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL on Friday, December 20, 2024 in the 2024 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl. The Gators defeated Tulane 33-8. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_2087,h_1173/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/213/01k8txe9egf1s9cbjvfp.jpg "Florida Gators defensive back Alfonzo Allen Jr. (43) intercepts the ball during the second half at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL on Friday, December 20, 2024 in the 2024 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl. The Gators defeated Tulane 33-8. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]")
With Florida's injury report out on Wednesday, the Gators will be officially without eight players, with two more listed as questionable. Combined with the fact that interim coach Billy Gonzales might have his own vision for the team, there is a chance we could see some under-the-radar guys pop up and make big plays.
With that in mind, these are five players who are not household names that we think could help ignite a Florida win on Saturday.
KD Daniels
With Ja'Kobi Jackson and Treyaun Webb still out, and with Duke Clark being listed as questionable, it's KD Daniels who is, in theory, in line to be the backup RB for Jadan Baugh.
Daniels was part of the same recruiting class as Baugh, was the higher-rated prospect than Baugh, and at the time, we really liked Daniels a lot. Injuries haven't helped Daniels during his time in Gainesville, but he should get a chance at some carries on Saturday.
Tank Hawkins
This is a player it feels like we have been clamouring for ever since he arrived on campus, as Tank Hawkins might be the single fastest player on the roster. Had he wanted to, Hawkins could have chosen to run track in college. He is legit that fast in the 100-meter dash.
But he was never the chosen one in Billy Napier's offense. Good news for Hawkins is that Napier is gone, and Gonzales claims he wants to spread things out.
Hawkins might just be the perfect player to do that with, and with Vernell Brown III and Aidan Mizell listed as out against Georgia, Hawkins might just get an uptick in snaps anyway.
Jadan Baugh
If you are sitting there going, "Hold up, this is a list of guys who are not household names. Why is Jadan Baugh on the list?"
It's because on paper, he is slated to be the punt returner on Saturday since Brown III is out. And any chance that allows Baugh more touches is a dangerous proposition.
Ben Hanks III and/or J'Vari Flowers
We're cheating here with two players, but both of these freshmen saw massive snaps against Mississippi State after injuries ripped through the Florida secondary.
Hanks III is a legacy player and was a borderline five-star from Miami, while Flowers could give Hawkins a run for his money as the fastest player on the team.
With Cormani McClain and Devin Moore slated to come back, both of the freshmen could see limited to zero snaps, but don't rule out either Hanks III or Flowers getting double-digit snaps.
Alfonzo Allen Jr.
Prior to the Mississippi State game, Alfonzo Allen Jr. had taken 131 snaps total in his career between Baylor and Florida.
Against Mississippi State, with Jordan Castell out, Allen Jr. took 81 snaps and made 15 tackles in the game.
Since Gonzales has no loyalty to Castell, don't rule out Allen Jr. getting sent back out as the far more willing run stopper.