The 2025 college football season is already generating buzz as the Florida Gators find themselves at the center of national conversation, with several of their players named to prestigious preseason watchlists that honor the best in the sport.
A Season of Recognition
Junior linebacker Myles Graham has emerged as a defensive anchor for the Gators, having started every game in 2025 and leading the team with 76 tackles, 36 of them solo. His production placed him among only four SEC players to surpass 75 tackles and seven tackles‑for‑loss, while also recording eight quarterback hurries, seven losses and two sacks. The performance earned him a spot on the Chuck Bednarik Award watchlist and a freshman All‑SEC selection the previous year, as well as inclusion on multiple other preseason lists such as the Butkus Award and the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, the latter recognizing his community service.
Running back Jadan Baugh, meanwhile, topped the SEC with 1,170 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, a feat that secured him a place on the Doak Walker Award watchlist and an ESPN first‑team preseason All‑American nod. He also earned second‑team All‑SEC honors as a running back and third‑team all‑purpose recognition, underscoring his dual‑threat impact.
The Gators’ recognitions extend beyond the two stars. Defensive end Vernell Brown III, linebacker Jayden Woods and several other teammates received spots on the preseason coaches’ All‑SEC teams, reflecting votes from league coaches. Punter Alec Clark, a transfer from Tulane, earned a place on the Ray Guy Award watchlist after averaging 46.5 yards per kick, while kicker Patrick Durkin made the Lou Groza Award list with an 89.3% field‑goal conversion rate. Harrison Moore, the team’s center, was named to the Rimington Trophy watchlist, and LJ McCray appeared on the 2026 College Football Comeback Player of the Year watchlist after a rigorous rehabilitation and weight‑room transformation.
Community Impact and Future Outlook
These selections are more than personal accolades; they reflect a program that consistently produces talent recognized by national bodies such as the College Football Hall of Fame, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the National College Football Awards Association. The endorsements also highlight the role of partners like ESPN and CBS Sports in broadcasting these stories, and the involvement of community initiatives championed by the Wuerffel Trophy and Shriners Children’s, reinforcing the Gators’ commitment to service and excellence as the new season approaches.