Watch & Read: There’s work to do, but Baugh’s ceiling is extremely high

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

• Initial Impression: Early Entry Freshmen
• Initial Impression: Five transfers
• Watch: A behind the scenes look at a Florida unofficial visit
• Commitment Burn Barometer
• 10 Most Wanted: Florida’s Top 10 Targets
• O&B Board: Spring Practice Observations
• O&B Board: List of injured Florida football players
• Watch: DJ Lagway limited this spring
• Mock Signing Class 1.0
• Pre-Spring Ranking of Florida position-by-position
• 15 Pre-Spring Class of 2026 Out-of-State Names to Know
• 20 Pre-Spring Class of 2026 In-State Names to Know
• Impact Analysis: Where Florida Football Signees Come From

Florida wide receivers coach Billy Gonzales, defensive ends coach Mike Peterson, along with running backs coach Jabbar Juluke met with the media after Tuesday’s spring practice.

Mike Peterson

• He called the Edge’s a tightnit group. He said that they talk about being the best in the country. That’s how they feel, that’s how they approach it.
• Peterson said that they have a lot of work left to do, they are a long ways away from being great, but he feels good about them. They attacked it over the summer.
• Tryreak Sapp is the first guy he puts in his suitcase when he’s traveling. Peterson said that Sapp plays with a whole lot of passion. His growth has been in learning the game. It’s not just knowing what he is doing, but what the guy on the other side of him is doing, what the opponents want to do. Approach everything as a pro.
• Peterson said that George Gumbs Jr. has a great story. He came in super raw. They watch film from this year compared to last year and they see how far he’s come. They used to tease him and give him all kinds of nicknames. The first day of practice last year he lined up on the edge like he was a wide receiver. He is like a sponge. He is excited about Gumbs Jr.
• He isn’t surprised at how Jaylen Woods has done because he saw the same things on his high school tape. He said he isn’t shy, but is quiet and has a locked in demeanor. Peterson said he has been great. He is heavy-handed and can rush the passer.
• Peterson pointed out that Jalen Wiggins was committed for a while. He said if you want to point out who is a Gator, that’s a Gator. Workman mentality. Plays with a lot of effort. Comes from a great family.
• For Kofi Asare, he said that he can really run and has been a great teammate.
• He called LJ McCray a very athletic guy. He said when he asks who is the fastest guy in the room, McCray is always the first guy to raise his hand. He called him a competitive guy. He challenged him to change his body. Commit to the weight room, to changing his eating habits, and he did it.

Billy Gonzales

• As for the trio of true freshmen early entry receivers, Gonzales called them a tight group. They push each other and compete with each other. They work their butts off. He is super excited about those things with that group. They are doing a really, really good job.
• What he sees from transfer receiver J. Michael Sturdivant – veteran leadership is No. 1. He said he also has great speed. He ran a 10.3 100 coming out of high school. He is really good at running routes. They are moving him around from position to position.
• He’s known Vernell Brown III a long time. His son played against him in the 8th grade. He came up to UF for multiple visits and camps. He singled out his work ethic. Called him VB. He said he keeps getting taller. He has a great burst.
• Elijah Badger is a playmaker. He was on pace to have a record year at UF before injuries at the end of the season.
• Eugene Wilson III has matured. He’s learned how to handle things. He has really picked up the offense. As a freshman, he was just running around making plays. He’s now learned the offense and he can play multiple receiver positions. He has done a great job bulking up his body.
• Leaders are the guys who do it the right way day in and day out. They do it the right way in the classroom, in the training room. They are responsible, they are respectful of people. They work hard.
• On Aidan Mizell, he said he has gotten stronger, so his body looks better. He has to push through, maintain health. He has great speed, but he needs to take care of his body. He has made plays downfield. He can stretch the field. He has the ability to get vertical. He has done a good job with the receiver screens. Since he’s stronger, he can run through people, he doesn’t have to outrun them.
• Dallas Wilson has great size. They have the young guys and newcomers up front so Gonzales can keep an eye on them. He said Wilson is a note taker, an attention to detail guy. That stands out. To play fast, you have to know what you’re doing. He does a really great job of taking notes.
• On Kahleil Jackson returning from his season-ending injury. Seeing him out there moving around, it is great to see him out simulating routes. He is a blue-collar, workhorse guy. He is going to go 100% with everything he does.

Jabbar Juluke

• He said that Montrell Johnson Jr. will be missed. His experience and leadership. He was a great example for the other backs. They had the opportunity to see how a professional works, and he hopes that carries over for them.
• The standard is the standard. They are going to practice hard, play hard, be fundamentally sound. Effort is not an option. They have non-negotiables. If they don’t do what they’re supposed to do, they don’t play.
• On Jadan Baugh. He has a lot of work to do. He’s very talented. He loves football, but he’s not in love with it yet. They’re trying to get him to fall in love with it. His ceiling is extremely high, but he has some work to do. He is looking forward to what he can become.
• As for KD Daniels, he called him a physical runner. Tough. He said, now he’s in love with it. He is hungry. He said he is proud that he is about 205 right now. Luluke said he is going to surprise some people. He has improved as a pass protector and is improving as a pass catcher.
• Juluke said that they call Ja’Kobi Jackson, Ja’Kobi Jack Cheese. He said he came in from JUCO to the SEC two years ago and got a serving of humble pie. He said he was patient, steadfast to his craft and was learning. He said he is extremely proud of him. He is excited about what he can do in the 2025 season. He was a bit overlooked coming out during Covid, when they couldn’t visit with prospects. graduated from JUCO in two years, and UF in two years. Said that isn’t easy to do.
• They have to work on how to handle success. Do they get complacent or get hungrier? They are hungry.
• He said that it is good to have four returning starting offensive linemen and called Rob Sale one of the best offensive line coaches in America.
• His message to the NFL with regards to Montrell Johnson Jr. is that he is the ultimate pro.

Videos courtesy GatorVision

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