Florida Gators' official depth chart against Miami Hurricanes
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators are just days away from opening the 2024 football season against the Miami Hurricanes.
"We're excited about the opener. The Swamp is sold out. We certainly, for the opener, but for season tickets and it's good to be at home. We're really proud of our team and believe in our team. We've had a terrific offseason. We've been very impressed with all phases and we're right in the middle of dotting the i's and crossing the t's here," Napier said on the SEC Teleconference Wednesday afternoon. A ton of respect for our opponent. I think, obviously, they have been building a program with a very similar timeline to us. They continue to improve their roster and establish who they are and what they will be.
"This is an in-state rivalry and there's certainly an element to that that's part of the game. I'm excited to watch our guys play. They're looking forward to competing."
Florida Gators depth chart vs Miami Hurricanes Montrell Johnson is backThe Gators' senior running back sustained a knee injury early on in fall camp. Johnson had arthroscopic knee surgery but was able to come back to practice last week and will start against Miami.
There was no surprise about the Florida quarterbacks. Redshirt senior Graham Mertz will start while true freshman DJ Lagway will serve as his primary backup.
"We have one of the best quarterbacks in the entire country on our team. I think Graham Mertz — you start with that. He's the leader of our team. It's been his team from day one of the offseason. He's been fantastic. His example. He earned his stripes last year. I think he really earned the trust and established the credibility from his teammates and also his staff and the entire organization. The way he engages people. His example. He models the behavior that we want in every player," Florida head coach Billy Napier said.
"I think we have a really young, talented player, who's inexperienced. He's been able to observe Graham and the way he's done it. That's been very beneficial. It's also been exciting for our offensive staff because they're a little bit different type of players, too. So, scripting is unique and a lot of fun because you kind of got a guy who's a veteran player who has a thorough understanding of the system who maybe isn't the same type of athlete but you've got this young up-and-comer who's very athletic that maybe doesn't have quite the experience. It's been an awesome challenge to build the offense around two different types of players. DJ is one play away from being the starter."
"Or" WarThe Gators' first depth chart of the season had more than 15 "or" listed on it. That included starting jobs at middle linebacker between Pup Howard Derek Wingo and at star between Sharif Denson Aaron Gates
