Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators
- Take Five: The Next Steps
- Take Five: The Napier Era Ends
- Parental Perspective: Florida Football Parental RoundTable
- Parental Perspective: Four-star’s father talks about the process and the UF staff
Here are five Florida Gators who are in the spotlight, and on the spot, to perform this week against Mississippi State.
TJ Abrams
Florida will be without at least two of its top three receivers against Kentucky on the road this week. Eugene Wilson III and Dallas Wilson are both out, not to mention Vernell Brown III and Aidan Mizell, who are both questionable. Besides J. Michael Surdivant, it will need to be some of the younger guys who step up, and I’m looking at TJ Abrams to be that guy. Abrams was a four-star in the 2024 class and has been pushed down the depth chart due to the depth at the position. He has electric speed, so not only will he be used in the passing game, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Florida decides to call his name on a wide receiver run.
J’Vari Flowers
Two weeks ago, against Mississippi State the Florida secondary had some serious injury issues. Florida had to play the game without most of its starters, which led the way for guys like J’Vari Flowers to get some more playing time. He excelled in that spot, with 3 tackles, 2 pass breakups and half a TFL. He was able to use that opportunity to carve out some actual playing time, registering 18 snaps against Georgia with a lot of guys back healthy. I would expect to see him used a little more this week against the Wildcats.
Austin Barber
The offensive line of Florida has been one of the most confusing position groups on the team this year. Coming into this season, dubbed one of the best units in the country, the Gators have gotten bullied at the line of scrimmage a lot. One of the bright sides, though, is Austin Barber, who has been the highest graded pass blocker for Florida in the last two games, according to PFF. Barber should be able to dominate this Saturday against what has been a lackluster defense all season for Kentucky. However, they are coming off their best defensive performance of the season (only allowed 3 points to Auburn).
George Gumbs Jr.
This could be a big week for George Gumbs Jr. Everyone eats against the Kentucky offensive line. The Wildcats have allowed 16 sacks in the last five games, which includes one game where the team allowed six sacks (South Carolina) and one where they allowed five (Texas). Gumbs Jr. is coming off his best game of the season against Georgia, which included 9 tackles and a sack. Wouldn’t be surprised if he is able to get another against Kentucky.
Hayden Hansen
Last week, DJ Lagway only completed six passes to Florida Gators not named Eugene Wilson III. That’s a problem. While keeping the offense tight and together was not the answer, that doesn’t mean you just abandon the tight ends. Now, do I think Florida was intentionally trying not to pass it to Hansen or Amir Jackson? No, of course not. But the Gators need to gameplan some tight end stuff this week, or else the offense could become very predictable very fast. Hansen is tied for third in catches for a reason. Easy yards keep teams out of 3rd and long, which the Gators converted by 2-of-11 last week.
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