Florida’s EDGE picture changes fast with a crucial 2026 wildcard returning

The EDGE unit for Florida in 2026 is going to be one of the harder units on the roster to properly predict this offseason. With Jayden Woods hitting the transfer portal, the ceiling for this group took a major hit, and it will depend on who Florida grabs out of the transfer portal to see if they can restore that ceiling.

But there is also one massive wildcard waiting in the wings and if he can live up to his lofty billing when he first arrived in Gainesville, the EDGE unit for the Gators could still be one of the best in the SEC.

LJ McCray set to return to Florida

While it was expected, LJ McCray is set to return to Florida for the 2026 season. McCray made the announcement on social media through Florida Victorious.

If one is just a casual observer of the Gators and pays zero attention to recruiting, there is a chance they have zero clue who McCray is. For those who follow the recruiting wars closely, McCray is the one player of the past couple of years they have been waiting to see unleashed.

To give an idea of the expectations that Florida fans had when McCray signed out of the class of 2024, DJ Lagway was the 3rd highest rated player in the country according to 247 Sports. Right behind him at No. 4 was McCray. McCray was graded higher than players like Cam Coleman at Auburn, Dylan Raiola at Nebraska, and Ryan Williams at Alabama.

But when the 2024 season rolled around, McCray was a rotational EDGE who had 181 total snaps and didn’t top 21 snaps in a single game until Florida’s bowl game against Tulane. With the snaps he did get, McCray had marginal effectiveness, picking up half of a sack and five total QB hurries.

Then this past season, McCray played four total snaps against USF, got hurt, and his season was done.

So now, entering 2026, McCray is two years into his college career and still doesn’t have a solo sack.

That also doesn’t mean he is done and washed up.

It is important to go back to the scouting report that 247’s Andrew Ivins gave McCray back in 2023:

“Will likely need a developmental year or two before he’s ready for a full-time starting role, but could be deployed early on in collegiate career as a situational defender. Bonafide NFL upside as his best football looks to be well ahead of him.”

Well, those two years are up, and with Woods departing for the portal, it will be time for McCray to step up.

If he does, Florida will be just fine at EDGE and will have an absolute game wrecker in opposing backfields.

If he doesn’t, McCray unfortunately will go down as a bust.