Florida football RBs, WRs stand out in first fall scrimmage, DL Jamari Lyons suffers season-ending injury

Florida football coach Billy Napier said the offense moved the ball effectively in its first intra-squad scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday.

But Napier said the Florida Gators were still devoid in creating explosive plays.

"We were very consistent," Napier said. "We scored a lot of points. But I'm just saying, we know that explosive plays are a significant piece of winning. So, we were a little short of our goal, and that's an area where we're trying to put an emphasis this week."

Florida was unable to get through the 122-play scrimmage unscathed, as redshirt sophomore Jamari Lyons was carted off the field with a broken ankle, a season-ending injury. The 6-foot-4, 304-pound Lyons recorded 20 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss and was flexible enough to play both nose tackle and defensive end last season.

"Jamari is one of our best - he really cares," Napier said. "It was really inspirational, to some degree. The entire team was on the field, which I've never seen in my entire coaching career ― guy gets hurt, and everybody knows it's, it's a pretty good injury. But we got all 132 and on the spot there to support him as he rode off the field. So, I think that's an indicator that these guys are doing something, right ― that there is that type of connection."

Napier said the injury will open up opportunities for players on the defensive line with position flexibility, such as sophomore Kelby Collins, freshman Michai Boireau, junior college transfer Brien Taylor Jr and freshman D'Antre Robinson.

"That’s an area where we’ve got some players; there’s some depth there," Napier said. "But I think those roles will be a little bit different. There will be some adjustment."

Florida football WRs, RBs stand out

Napier was pleased with the play and competition from UF's running backs and wide receivers. Some young players stood out. Freshman wide receiver Tank Hawkins caught two TD passes, while freshman running back KD Daniels broke through the line for a long run.

At running back, Daniels, freshman Jadan Baugh, sophomore Treyaun Webb and transfer Ja'Kobi Jackson all received more carries due to projected starter Montrell Johnson Jr. being out with a knee injury.

"All four of those guys had good days, I thought," Napier said. "You see them getting more comfortable. I think running back's a position where there's a lot to learn. Everybody's a little bit bigger, a little faster, the holes are a little smaller."

Hawkins, an early enrollee in January, is in competition for targets among a competitive wide receiver group that includes returning starters Eugene Wilson III and Kahleil Jackson and major conference transfers Chimere Dike (Wisconsin) and Elijhah Badger (Arizona State).

"He’s had a great offseason," Napier said. "He's definitely playing faster. His skill level’s improving. He's getting comfortable. Like we've talked about before: we kind of have those top three and then you got this group that's competing. He's in that group."

An up and down day for Florida football defense

Napier was pleased with the pursuit of the ball on defense. Of the 122 plays, there were 20 missed tackles.

"Some runs that rolled off the table where we misfit, then they turn into, eight-yard gain turns into a 22-yard gain," Napier said. "Very correctable, but overall tackling was good.”

The defense also created two turnovers.

"I'm trying to evaluate, is the ball in jeopardy? Sometimes you throw it right to a guy and he drops it - nobody talks about it," Napier said. "But we're evaluating the decision-making of the quarterback, regardless of the result, and then just in general how every skill player is carrying the ball throughout the scrimmage. Is the ball in jeopardy? But overall, no, I thought it was pretty clean."

Position battles remain in play entering week three of Florida football camp

Napier said practices this week, which began Monday, will serve as an important measuring stick in determining the depth chart. Florida will hold its second fall scrimmage Saturday.

"Ultimately that’s where we’ll start pairing it down," Napier said. "Even this week, we have to continue to work contingency plans. If this guy goes down, how do we shuffle the deck? The reality is you only get to put 11 out there at once."

More depth on the roster, Napier said, makes those decisions tougher.

"It’s a good problem to have," Napier said. "We’ve had the other problems before, I’d much rather have these.”