Florida football held its first spring practice on Wednesday at the Sanders Practice Fields.
In all, the Florida Gators will hold 17 practices over the next 22 days to prepare for their season opener on Aug. 31 at The Swamp against Miami (3:30 p.m., ABC)
Florida is coming off a 5-7 season and is 11-14 in two years under head coach Billy Napier. The Gators return 14 starters on offense and defense from the 2023 squad and more than 41,000 snaps of experience. Napier is hopeful that will carry over to a mature mindset preparing for the 2024 season.
“We want every single person that’s a part of the team and the organization to feel as if their role might just be the difference,” Napier said. “And for them to come to work every day and to take pride in their role and how they can make an impact.”
Here are three takeaways from the 10-minute open portion of practice:
New targets show promise for Florida football
Florida quarterbacks Graham Mertz and D.J. Lagway were for the most part on target for passing drills. Freshman tight end Amir Jackson, who enrolled over the summer, showed good hands and route running skills while working out with incumbent starters Arlis Boardingham and Hayden Hansen. At 228 pounds, Jackson has put on about 20 pounds since his senior year of high school. “I feel really good about our room, and most importantly, all those guys,” Florida co-offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Russ Callaway said. “To me, this is the first time in that room and in this team that we can truly say we have the Gator mentality.”
Transfer receivers Elijhah Badger and Chimere Dike also made nice catches on crossing routes as both are battling for a starting spot at wide receiver this season.
Cam Jackson slimmed down on Florida football defensive line
Cam Jackson has slimmed down to 342 pounds after reporting to spring at 374 pounds. The 6-foot-6 Jackson, who played last season at 360 pounds, said last spring he wanted to slim down to improve his pass rush ability from defensive tackle after not recording a sack last season.
Senior defensive tackle Desmond Watson also is down from 469 pounds in the spring to 449 pounds.
“Des has done a lot of great work this offseason,” Florida strength and conditioning coach Tyler Miles said. “He’s just got to keep continuing to work. The work never stops but he has made great strides this offseason in every aspect.”
Freshman OL Fletcher Westphal in non-contact jersey
Florida started fall camp relatively healthy with only two players spotted in non-contact jerseys — freshman offensive lineman Fletcher Westphal and tight end Caleb Rillos, a walk on transfer from Air Force. The 6-8, 321-pound Westphal, a four-star recruit from Leesburg, Va., enrolled early to take part in spring drills and got some snaps at left tackle during UF’s spring game in April.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Takeaways from Florida football first spring practice
The Gainesville Sun
