The summer is flying by and the Florida Gators 2024 campaign is quickly approaching. As the players and coaches prepare for their August 31 kickoff against Miami, Inside the Gators’ staff members took stock of the roster to break down our list of the ’24 most valuable players’ for the 2024 season.
It is based on who we believe are the 24 most valuable players. These are not necessarily the best players but the most valuable in relation to the team having a successful 2024 season.
Benjamin McLeish, Jesse Simmons, and Mark Wheeler compiled their list of the 25 most valuable Florida players, combined them, assigned a point value (25 points for a #1 vote down to 1 point for a #25 vote), and here’s how the final tally worked out (ballots and points in parenthesis).
THE 24 MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS FOR 2024
No. 24-HADEN HANSEN (2-ballots | 16-points)
- Position: Tight End
- Class: Sophomore (RS)
- Size: 6-foot-6, 272-pounds
McLeish’s Midset: Hanson will likely see plenty of reps alongside Arlis Boardingham. Although he will likely not be heavily featured in the passing attack, the 6-foot-6 tight end can be a valuable blocker. (Voted: No. 17)
Simmons Says: The big man was crucial in the red zone for the Gators last season and I would expect more of the same this year. (Voted: No. 19)
On the Mark: His build and athletic ability scream that he is more of an inline blocking tight end than a feared playmaker in the passing game, and that is what we saw right up until the last three games of the season. While he had his three longest receptions down the stretch against LSU, Missouri, and Florida State, if you take those three balls away, he barely averaged seven yards a reception. He didn’t appear on my ballot because if Amir Jackson is at all ready, Keon Zipperer is healthy and Arlis Boardingham becomes more sure handed, they should overtake him as a bigger role as a primary target. (Dissenting Opinion: UR)
No. 23-TRIKWEZE BRIDGES (2-ballots | 18-points)
- Position: Defensive Back
- Class: Senior (TR)
- Size: 6-foot-3, 199-pounds
McLeish’s Midset: Bridges has the potential to be a big playmaker for the Florida defense after transferring from Oregon. But, I think he will fall behind Jordan Castell and Asa Turner on the depth chart. I just don’t think the team’s third option at safety will make a very big impact. (Dissenting Opinion: UR)
Simmons Says: He’s a great cornerback transfer that is lanky and good at breaking up one-on-one passes. (Voted: No. 11)
On the Mark: Though he came out of spring as a backup safety, his history at cornerback suggests that he is versatile enough to move over there or maybe even Star if needed. That adds value to a secondary that is filled with potential but has shown very little actual production. (Voted: No. 23)
Note: The ranking isn’t based on a straight points system (25 points for a #1 placement down to 1 point for a #25 placement). A consensus carried more weight so one person’s opinion didn’t carry more weight than the group as a whole. This way a player who appears on all three ballots, but has fewer overall points will be higher than a player who appears on two ballots with more points.
I do think Bridges will have a good year for us.