Take Five Breakdown: Florida-Samford Preview

Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators

• After visiting Florida, Gators commit to see Georgia this weekend
• Four-star Brown III talks Florida visit, state of the program
• Recruit Reaction: Ready to see how they bounce back and respond
• Grading the Gators: The clock is ticking
• 10 Observations: Florida Opening Day Depth Chart
• Predicting Who Plays: Seven signees most likely to avoid redshirt season
• Florida Football Preseason Superlatives

After a disappointing showing in their season opener, Florida (0-1) has a chance to immediately bounce back and win their first game of the season against the Samford Bulldogs (0-1). To get a better feel for the Bulldogs, Inside the Gators caught up with Grant Gardner of the Samford Scoop for a full preview.

Five Samford Bulldogs to Know

Quincy Crittendon, Quarterback, Junior

• It’s taken Quincy Crittendon three years to earn the No.1 QB spot at Samford. The former walk on didn’t play a single snap in Fall 2021, participating only in the Bulldog’s scout team. Now, he is under center for Samford and had a great game Week 1 going 24-of-41, throwing for 307 yards and two touchdowns. “He’s becoming more of a leader vocally,” Gardner said. “It’s cool seeing him get this opportunity after this quarterback battle that was going on in camp.” Crittendon also lead the team in rushing last week, earning 95 yards and two touchdowns. “He’s a great runner,” Gardner continued. “He led the team in rushing last week and he is getting more consistent as a passer.” It seems that it will be a battle of the dual-threat quarterbacks at the Swamp Saturday night.

Brendan Jenkins, Wide Receiver, Sophomore

• True Sophomore Brendan Jenkins is set to have a breakout season. The Georgia native earned 2023 SoCon Freshman of the Year after racking in 40 receptions, 304 yards, and four touchdowns last year. “It looks like he is going to be the No. 1 receiver,” Gardner believes. “He is the leading returner from last year.” Against West Georgia, Jenkins led the Bulldogs with 81 yards and four receptions, scoring a 68-yard touchdown to put his team ahead in the third quarter.

Noah Martin, Linebacker, Graduate Student

• Graduate student Noah Martin is the leader of this Samford defense. “He’s kind of the heart and soul of this team on and off the field,” Gardner said. “The guys really look up to him.” Last season, he started all 11 games, led the team in tackles and was an FCS Football Central All-American. This year, he is picking up where he left off being named a Pre-Season All-American and racking up 11 total tackles against West Georgia.

Jaden Mosley, Middle Linebacker, Junior

• Standing at 6-foot-2, 208 pounds, Jaden Mosley is a talented Linebacker. With the hire of a new defensive coordinator, more is expected to come out of Mosley this season. “He had a big sophomore year last year, and it seems like he will have a big junior year this season too,” Gardner said. In 2023, the Junior started and played 10 games, earning 61 total tackles, two pass deflections, 1.5 sacks, and an interception. After just Week 1, Mosley has 10 total tackles and an eight-yard sack.

CJ Douglas, Safety, Sophomore

• New defensive coordinator, and new players from the portal, but it is returning sophomore CJ Douglas who earned the starting safety spot in Samford. Last season, he appeared in 10 games recording 13 tackles. His best game was against UT Martin in November where he picked up 10 tackles, two forced fumbles, and 1.5 tackles for loss. “He can come down and defend the run, but he can also defend the pass,” Gardner said. To put the cherry on top, he is a local guy.

Five Fast Facts

• Previously, the Gators have only played the Bulldogs one time, a 132-point thriller that Florida won 70-52. Coach Dan Mullen was fired just eight days later.
  
• Samford was previously named Howard College from 1841-1965. The Gators had two meetings with Howard on Oct. 29, 1921, and Oct. 28, 1922, and won both games shutting their opponents out each time.
  
• The Bulldogs have had two players that have made the NFL Pro Bowl: Cortland Finnegan (2008) and James Bradberry (2020).
  
• Now Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher played his senior year at Samford. He threw for 2,394 yards and 34 touchdowns.
  
• Gators’ Co-Offensive Coordinator and Tight Ends coach Russ Callaway was previously on Samford’s coaching staff between 2015-2019.

Five Game Day Storylines

DJ Lagway’s First Start

• DJ Lagway will be the starting quarterback for Florida much sooner than expected. Billy Napier announced after Wednesday’s practice that he will lead the Gators into the Swamp to face Samford. After Graham Mertz exited the Miami game in the third quarter, Lagway entered and racked up 31 yards in the air, rushed for 20 and led the Gators down the field to score. If Lagway balls out and leads Florida to victory, is it officially the DJ Lagway era in Gainesville? Only time will tell.

Tennessee Fan Noah Martin

• Tennessee native Noah Martin grew up as a fan of the Volunteers. The Gators and the Vols have had history since the 90s. Although both teams have played against each other since 1916, the rivalry grew once the SEC split into two divisions in 1992, the East and the West. Martin has been itching to face Florida and it’s safe to say that he will be playing with a little edge this Saturday.

Can Samford Stay Competitive?

• The Bulldogs have given Power Four schools a run for their money over the past years. Back in 2016, Samford scored 41 points against Mississippi State, but lost 56-41. Against FSU in 2018, Samford had the lead over the Seminoles until just over four minutes left in the game losing 36-26. Most recently, Samford had the lead over the Gators heading into halftime back in 2021. No, Samford hasn’t won against these FBS schools, but they have put in strong performances.

Napier on the Hotseat

• In what has been the worst week of his Florida tenure, it has been a feeding frenzy for media alike after the Gators were blown out by Miami and the comments he made in Monday’s press conference regarding fans posting from Central Florida basements. On Saturday, Napier needs to display what he preached all offseason: Florida is better, stronger, and ready to compete. Also, he may want to call some new plays.

Going Deep

• It is safe to say that Florida’s offensive line didn’t give Graham Mertz many chances to go deep. Early in the game though, he did have opportunities but missed his receivers. The Gators have a talented receiving core that did not get a chance to showcase what they can do against Miami. With a dual-threat quarterback in DJ Lagway, only time will tell if he tries to find his receivers deep.

Prediction

• Joseph Torviso: UF – 44 – 27
• Grant Gardner: UF – 41-14

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