A breakdown of what Florida freshman EDGE LJ McCray showed during his first UF spring football camp
Graham Hall
In the time since the conclusion of the 2023 season, the Gators have made significant additions to their roster via the high school ranks and the transfer portal, including 16 true freshmen and double-digit transfers from the Division I and junior college ranks.
With spring camp in the rearview mirror, Swamp247 will recap each player's role from this spring, along with a prediction for each player regarding their role this fall.
Recruit Stats:No. 20 overall prospect, No. 5-ranked defensive lineman in 247Sports' Composite Rankings
Height/Weight:6-foot-6, 274 pounds
Spring recap:Upon LJ McCray's highly anticipated arrival at Florida, UF head coach Billy Napier, while praising the intangibles of the incoming freshman, expressed the 6-foot-6 edge rusher's position had the ability to play multiple positions along the defensive line.
"He's going to play over the edge for us. Mike Peterson has been recruiting him. We kind of see him in that F mode. He certainly has got a lot of position flex," Napier said. "I thinkLJ – one thing I'll say aboutLJthat I respect about him is he is up for the challenge. We talked toLJin the very beginning of the process --LJis an alpha. He's a leader. He's an elite competitor, and he's done very similar things at his high school. I think he's got that type of presence and that type of voice, and he's an impact player."
While he may ultimately play a different role later in his collegiate career depending on the scheme, for now McCray gives the Gators a promising underclassman at a position in need of production.
With Justus Boone limited throughout spring camp, and with Kelby Collins moving inside to defensive tackle, the Gators worked with primarily Tyreak Sapp and McCray at the F position throughout the spring, and by all accounts he fared well during his first spring in Gainesville.
"He's just about as big as me. He learns well. He's attentive in our meetings. His attentive and he's willing to listen, and that's like the biggest part, especially for being a young kid," Boone said of McCray during spring camp. "Being highly ranked and highly recruited, it's kind of hard to step off your pedestal and listen, but he's done a great job with that, with listening from the coaches and listening to us older players that know a little bit more."
During the Orange and Blue game, McCray worked with the starting unit repeatedly while on the Orange team's defense, considered to be UF's first-team unit, and he showcased his ability and enormous potential in his public debut at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Although he registered a lone tackle, McCray also recorded a quarterback hurry and a pass break-up, an indication of his impressive ceiling and ability to contribute in multiple facets.
Outlook:With Boone on track to return to Florida's roster before fall camp, and with Sapp back in the fold as the starter at the position, McCray more than likely will be a valuable rotational piece during his freshman season with the Gators.
But, much like the case with fellow highly touted signees DJ Lagway and Myles Graham, it would behoove Florida to rotate him in when give the opportunity, as he'll undoubtedly be counted upon after this season to play a sizable role within the defense.
He has impressive size and a humble approach to the game, two factors that only increase his odds of seeing the field in abundance this season, and he's one injury away from being thrust into action – McCray should prepare as if he'll play a large role this season, and the Gators would be well-served to do the same when the team returns to the practice field for spring camp.
"He's a worker, I'll tell you that. You know, the guy, he's meeting a lot. Early in the process, it was every night, he was up there and we was getting it," Mike Peterson said of McCray. "As a coach, that's exciting. When you've got a young guy to come in and wants to be great, you know what I mean? A lot of times you just have to, you know, de-recruit them guys, you know, break them and let them know the recruitment process is over. But you could tell his upbringing, Mom and Dad, during the process they did a really, really good job with him."
If McCray doesn't contribute in a noticeable capacity this season, it wouldn't be difficult to see it as a disappointment, considering his early impression at Florida and how highly recruited he was coming out of Mainland.
