Three notable Gators now questionable ahead of Mississippi State

Florida has six players officially out for Saturday
Aug 30, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Vincent Brown Jr. (36), Florida Gators edge Jalen Wiggins (49) and Florida Gators defensive back Jordan Castell (14) run onto the field before a game against the Long Island Sharks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Aug 30, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Vincent Brown Jr. (36), Florida Gators edge Jalen Wiggins (49) and Florida Gators defensive back Jordan Castell (14) run onto the field before a game against the Long Island Sharks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images | Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Ahead of the looming showdown with Mississippi State, which may or may not dictate the fate of Billy Napier, the Florida Gators officially will have at least six players out for the game with injuries.

Florida also has six players listed as questionable, including three new additions that raised some eyebrows.

Twelve players are included on Florida's injury report

Jordan Castell, Cormani McClain, Brien Taylor Jr. are among the players listed as "Questionable" on the initial Wednesday injury report for the Gators.

Castell has been a mainstay starter at safety for Florida all three years he has been in Gainesville. His 351 snaps this year are the second most of anyone on Florida's defense behind fellow safety Bryce Thornton.

While Florida does have two notable freshmen, Drake Stubbs and Lagonza Hayward, who could get inserted, it's more likely that transfer Micheal Caraway Jr. gets the nod if Castell can't go.

McClain's saga in Gainesville has been well documented. He is a former five-star who looked like he would commit to Florida out of high school, wound up committing to Miami, but never signed and went to Colorado. After a disaster of a freshman campaign, McClain wound up in the transfer portal and came to Florida last year.

This year, he has played 265 snaps, the 5th most of anyone on the defensive side of the ball.

Brien Taylor Jr. has seen his role increase in part because of the other injuries that have ravaged the defensive line. He has played in all six games this year, taking 131 snaps total. Against Texas A&M, he took 25 snaps and was credited with two tackles and one QB pressure.

Ja’Kobi Jackson, Tony Livingston and Devon Manuel all missed the game against Texas A&M but are all listed as questionable against Mississippi State.

Caleb Banks, Duke Clark, Treyaun Webb, LJ McCray, Aaron Gates, and Dijon Johnson are all listed for this Saturday.

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