Lower than three days after he made his season debut, Florida sophomore edge rusher LJ McCray should bear a surgical process on his proper foot that can maintain him out for an undetermined period of time, in line with Swamp247. McCray exited within the second half of Florida’s 18-15 loss to No. 18 South Florida and didn’t re-enter the sport.
It represents one other blow for the younger McCray, who additionally missed the latter half of coaching camp whereas coping with an unrelated lower-body harm. He didn’t swimsuit up in Florida’s season-opening win in opposition to Lengthy Island.
McCray signed with Florida in 2024 as the highest line of defense prospect in his class. The previous five-star out of Daytona Seaside (Fla.) Mainland Excessive College appeared in 10 video games as a freshman at Florida and completed the 12 months with 13 whole tackles, one for a loss, and 0.5 sacks.
McCray’s harm will stretch Florida’s pass-rushing depth even additional. The Gators have a pair of strong starters in Tyreak Sapp, who already registered two tackles for loss and one sack on the 12 months, and former Northern Illinois switch George Gumbs Jr.
The depth chart appears to be like particularly skinny behind Sapp and Gumbs, although, particularly given what the Gators misplaced within the offseason. Jack Pyburn (LSU) and T.J. Searcy (Texas A&M) each exited this system as four-star prospects within the 247Sports Switch Rankings and took their abilities to SEC rivals.
True freshman Jayden Woods got here on robust for Florida in fall camp and was already listed apart McCray as Gumbs’ backup on Florida’s depth chart. He ought to get loads of enjoying time now because the reeling Gators get into the meet of their schedule.
Florida doesn’t have a simple alternative to get issues on the heels of its loss to USF. The Gators put together for a Week 3 highway journey to No. 3 LSU to open SEC play and have one other Week 4 away sport in opposition to in-state rival No. 5 Miami.
Eight of Florida’s 10 remaining opponents have been ranked within the most up-to-date AP Prime 25 ballot, together with 5 within the high 10.