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Florida Football: Ten true freshmen who could see snaps against Samford

Based on the depth chart, there might be a lot of youth on the field against Samford

By Benjamin Henderson

Aug 31, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) looks at the scoreboard against the Miami Hurricanes during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Aug 31, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) looks at the scoreboard against the Miami Hurricanes during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images / Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
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One of the themes for Florida Football all offseason was that the Gators were going to be a much more experienced squad heading into 2024. Florida was among the leaders in the country in 2023 in snaps taken by freshmen, and at times, that youth cost the Gators.

Heading into week two of the 2024 season, there is only one true freshman listed as a starter against Samford, but there are a number of true freshmen listed as the backup on Florida's depth chart.

The following are nine true freshmen who could see action on Saturday against Samford.

DJ Lagway

With the concussion injury to Graham Mertz, five-star freshman DJ Lagway will get the start against Samford. Based on indications, even if Lagway plays well, Mertz is going to take the starting job back once he is cleared for action.

TJ Abrams

The wide receiver flipped to Florida from FSU last July and has a wind-legal 100-meter dash time of 10.77 seconds. He was a fringe four-star prospect who wasn't expected to see a ton of playing time this year, but he is listed on the depth chart behind Tre Wilson.

Tank Hawkins

If you have followed our content during the offseason, you know we have hyped up Tank Hawkins to the moon. If you thought the 10.77 from Abrams was fast, Hawkins was clocked at 10.37 seconds in the 100-meter dash as a junior in high school. He had a shoulder injury that kept him out of the Miami game, but he is listed in conjunction with Abrams with the "Or" designation.

Amir Jackson

Considered a top 100 overall prospect, the Georgia tight end has been mentioned as a candidate to take snaps from Arlis Boardingham. He did not see any snaps against Miami, but it wouldn't shock us to see him get a couple of series on Saturday.

Jadan Baugh

The hero from the spring game, the running back who flipped from Arkansas got five snaps against Miami and had one carry for six yards. Baugh is still the third-string running back on the depth chart, so he probably won't get a ton of snaps as Florida also wants to work in Treyaun Webb.

Myles Graham

One of the bright and promising players Florida signed in the class of 2024, the four-star linebacker is the son of Gator legend Earnest Graham. He didn't play against Miami, but hs is listed as the backup for Shemar James.

Aaron Chiles

The other top tier linebacker Florida signed, Aaron Chiles was one of the few members of Florida's 2024 class who didn't enroll early as thus fans didn't get to see him in the spring game. Since arriving to campus he has earned the nickname of "Alien" and is considered an athletic freak. He got in for five snaps against Miami and had two tackles. Chiles is listed as the backup behind George Gumbs.

LJ McCray

Along with DJ Lagway, LJ McCray was the headliner for Florida's 2024 class. The five-star defensive end is listed fourth on the depth chart behind Justus Boone, Kamran James, and Tyreak Sapp. That was the same setup Florida had going into Miami and McCray still got in for 12 snaps. We would expect him to get similar snaps on Saturday.

Teddy Foster

An under-the-radar guy for the Gators, Teddy Foster was a mid-tier three-star corner out of Sarasota. He didn't get in against Miami, but with the injury to Devin Moore he is listed as Jason Marshall's backup on Saturday.

Gregory Smith

A late addition to Florida's 2024 class, Gregory Smith is viewed as an extremely athletic but raw safety out of Riverview. There were some hints before the Miami game he might see some action, but ultimately he didn't take a defensive snap. With the injury to Asa Turner, Smith is listed as the backup for Tulane transfer DJ Douglas.

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