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GAINESVILLE — The eighth in a position-by-position preview of the UF football team leading up to SEC Media Days.
TODAY: LINEBACKER
What to expect
Robert Bala faces a quandary the Gators have not had in a while. The team’s new linebackers coach will have options, heated competition and potentially tough decisions at a position where Florida has been lacking them for some time.
Other than Ventrell Miller in 2022, UF has not had a standout at the position since Jarrad Davis and Antonio Morrison combined for more than 200 tackles in 2015 or Davis, a future NFL first-round draft pick, and Alex Anzalone, a starter the past four years with the Detroit Lions, lined up together in 2016.
The 2024 Gators return a promising quartet, juniors Grayson “Pup” Howard and Jaden Robinson and sophomores Myles Graham and Aaron Chiles, and also boast a true freshman, Ty Jackson, who well could demand snaps. Jackson’s 11-tackle spring game came as no surprise to head coach Billy Napier.
Florida linebacker Myles Graham forces a fumble of Texas tailback Jerrick Gibson during an otherwise dour day for the Gators, who lost 49-17 to the Longhorns Nov. 9, 2024 in Austin.
At Early Signing Day, Napier said the 6-foot-1 ½, 216-pound Jackson’s “junior film was probably the best he’s ever seen.” In 2023 at Seminole Ridge in Loxahatchee, he registered 135 tackles with 4 forced fumbles, 2 sacks and 2 interceptions while also catching 5 touchdowns and returning a pair of kickoffs for scores. Given UF’s depth a ‘backer, Jackson will have time if needed. to adjust to the college game.
The 6-foot-4, 232-pound Howard displayed impressive physical tools but his production was only so-so (37 tackles, 2 for loss), before an injury ended his season during the ninth game. Graham capitalized on a larger role to position himself for a…
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Publish date : 2025-07-03 11:00:00
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