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šŸˆ Football Practice Insider 4/1/25 Spring Practice Observations, Video & Scrimmage Tidbits

Mark Wheeler

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One thing I want to continue to stress is that what you read in our Practice Observations Updates is that we are reporting on what we see in the moment - right then and there. I try to move around to each station every practice, though I didn't see the defensive backs today.

So, on to what I did see.

* I was told by a couple of parents that they were asked not to come to today's scrimmage, they were welcome on Saturday. I thought that was a little strange, until I got out to the stadium. While we were given about 10 more minutes than usual (thank you UF SID), we still didn't see much, and it was all but completely shut off.

Normally you see fans in the seats (as invited guests), but today the stadium was completely empty. There were a few visitors and former players on the sidelines. But this was the least amount of 'outsiders' I have ever seen pre-scrimmage.

* I did see a couple of prospects, such as three-star offensive lineman Michael Bowens Jr. and four-star defensive end Luke Wafle. He looked like he should be out on the field. He has a college-ready build already.

* Though we were given extra time today, that was spent on the players doing warmups and getting loose. That normally doesn't mean much as far as information, but a lot of times how teams lineup during stretching is by depth chart.

* There was a report last week that Florida was bringing back former tight ends coach William Peagler, but it didn't state his role. I did see him on the sidelines looking at a peice of paper, he wasn't on the field during the time I saw him.

* Devin Moore and Cormani McClain were the first two during cornerback drills.

* LJ McCray was at the front of the Edge line with Jayden Woods right behind him. George Gumbs Jr. was in the rear with a black non-contact jersey on.

* The quarterback pecking order, according to how they lined up during drills was DJ Lagway, Aidan Warner, Harrison Bailey, Tremell Jones Jr., Clay Millen, and then Aaron Williams.

* A position where UF has been injury-free through the first half of spring ball is along the offensive line. The starters across the front were today as they have been since pre-spring.

LT: Austin Barber
LG: Knijeah Harris
C: Jake Slaughter
RG: Damieon George Jr.
RT: Bryce Lovett

* As players come and go depending on injury status, one thing that has remained constant this spring is Logonza Hayward as one of the first safeties in each drill.

* Jamroc Grimsley, in his non-contact jersey, is out doing some things, but mostly was a spectator from what I saw today.
 

Mark Wheeler

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As I posted in the observations above, it was a closed-off practice. However, a person who was there hooked us up with some of his thoughts.

* A big run for a touchdown by Kahnen Daniels.
* The defense had a couple of interceptions. I donā€™t remember for sure who it was, but I know they picked off Harrison Bailey.
* The offense dominated in the goal zone part of the scrimmage with some nice plays drawn up by Coach Napier.
* Tommy Doman had some great punts today, pinning the teams deep.
* Trey Smack made a couple of field goals.
* Thoughts on DL and OL: ā€œIt was more of a developmental scrimmage today, but the second string defensive line looked good. The first-string defensive line got handled pretty well by the first-string defensive line.
* DJ Lagway didnā€™t throw. He did like 10 run plays. He has only been handing off and running the whole spring.
* Cormani McClain continues to look strong. Heā€™s been going up against Dallas Wilson some, which has been exciting matchups.
* Vernell Brown III has looked good. Iā€™m not quite sure if he is 100% dialed in on the UF playbook yet, but he will get there. VB is a guy who you can tell wants to be there. He gives his all every practice and is a really good leader.
 

Mark Wheeler

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A couple more scrimmage tidbits were provided by a person who was there.

* Big hits delivered by Aaron Chiles and Ty Jackson.
* Myles Graham played really well.
* Devin Moore had an interception.
* Teddy Foster and Tyreak Sapp had big days.
* Aidan Mizell broke a tackle to score a touchdown.
* Harrison Bailey took a majority of the QB snaps. Also, UCLA transfer J. Michael Sturdivant had two great catches.