![Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) passes during Fall practice at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, August 8, 2024. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_236,w_3377,h_1899/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/213/01j5tpftsj0v3am64hvw.jpg "Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) passes during Fall practice at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, August 8, 2024. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]")
Heading into the 2024 season, most people from the outside don't have much faith in Florida Football. The Gators had some key members of the squad transfer out and Florida has the hardest schedule in the country for the 2024 campaign.
But unlike last season, Florida won't be as dependent on youth in order to achieve results in 2024.
Florida Football: Watch This
The Reese’s Senior Bowl put out their watch list today and Florida had 16 players make the cut as players the committee will be keeping an eye on:
- WR Elijhah Badger Sr.
- DL Caleb Banks R-Jr.
- DB Trikweze Bridges R-Sr.
- P Jeremy Crawshaw Sr.
- OL Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson R-Sr.
- WR Chimere Dike Sr.
- OL Damieon George Jr. R-Jr.
- DL Cam Jackson Sr.
- LB Shemar James Jr.
- RB Montrell Johnson Jr. Sr.
- DB Jason Marshall Jr. Sr.
- QB Graham Mertz R-Sr.
- ILB R.J. Moten Sr.
- DL Joey Slackman Gr.
- DB Asa Turner R-Sr.
- LS Rocco Underwood R-Jr.
In one breath, one could argue that almost anyone with a pulse who is draft-eligible made this list. It's doubtful players like Damieon George or R.J. Moten are super high on NFL draft boards heading into the season.
But Florida had just six players make the watch list in 2022 and nine players make the watch list in 2023. The jump to 16 players for 2024 is a reminder that unlike last year when Florida had freshmen play the fifth most snaps in the country, the Gators will have experience on their roster.
Florida opens their season against Miami on August 31 in The Swamp.