Opening weekend was more than a debut stage for Florida’s new arrivals. It also gave a first look at what life looked like for the 30 Gators who moved on after last season’s transition to Jon Sumrall, with On3’s database tracking each transfer’s first game at his new stop.
Some were nowhere to be found. Cameron Kossmann at Boston College, Enoch Wangoy at Ole Miss, Noel Portnjagin at James Madison, Muizz Tounkara at Houston, Evan Noel at Houston and Hayden Craig at LSU all did not play. Aidan Mizell was expected to have a role at UCLA, but he was apparently hurt and sat out the opener.
Others got small cameos, while a handful stepped right into real roles. Devon Manuel, who had been a solid tackle at Arkansas before never cracking the rotation in two years at Florida, opened at left tackle for Appalachian State and did not allow a sack.
Marcus Mascoll logged 37 snaps as a rotational tackle for Georgia State and also avoided giving up a sack. Teddy Foster started at corner for USF and played 56 snaps, finishing with four tackles in what was described as mostly an average game.
Grayson Howard had only 10 snaps for USF against FIU and made one tackle.
A few of the former Gators made immediate impact plays. Ja'Kobi Jackson took 23 snaps for Ohio State against Ball State and turned eight carries into 83 yards and a touchdown.
Treyaun Webb needed just nine snaps at Appalachian State, running the ball four times and scoring a touchdown. Naeshaun Montgomery saw a heavy workload for Missouri in its opening win over Arkansas Pine Bluff, taking 59 snaps and catching three passes for 47 yards.
KD Daniels got 12 snaps at Wake Forest and finished with two rushing attempts for seven yards.
Florida’s former pass catchers had mixed results. Scott Isacks played 42 snaps for UAB against Illinois, more than he had combined at Florida, and caught one pass for 15 yards while working mostly as a run blocker.
Tony Livingston took 20 snaps in Baylor’s loss to Auburn and did not catch a pass, with his blocking called suspect. Eugene Wilson III was on the field for 58 snaps in LSU’s win over Clemson, targeted five times and finishing with four catches for 35 yards.
Jackson Wade got 10 offensive snaps for Boston College against Cincinnati, an uptick from the 26 total offensive snaps he had as a Gator, and made one catch for one yard. Hayden Hansen played 37 snaps on offense for Oklahoma, caught one pass for 15 yards and was steady enough as a blocker.
Defensively, Jordan Castell had the busiest day of the bunch, playing 51 snaps for Kentucky against Youngstown State and recording seven total tackles, though his coverage issues looked familiar. Aaron Gates played 41 snaps for Kentucky and was beaten on the lone passing touchdown the Penguins scored when he tried to follow his man across the formation.
Jameer Grimsley worked 21 snaps as a rotational corner for Mississippi State and was credited with a pass breakup. Michai Boireau logged 22 snaps as a rotational nose tackle for Ole Miss, picked up one quarterback pressure and did not make a tackle.
A few more names surfaced in limited roles. Mack Mulhern, a one-time backup long snapper at Florida, played two snaps for LSU against Clemson.
Tank Hawkins had 18 snaps for Washington State in the Apple Cup and caught one pass for five yards. Brien Taylor was in the portal before signing with the Saints for training camp, but he was released at the end of camp.
In Other News...
Florida Just Got An Early Recruiting Boost In The Swamp
Floridas home opener against FAU doubled as a recruiting showcase, with a sizable group of football commits and prospects taking in the game at The Swamp. The visit gave the program an early-season chance to sell the full Florida experience, and the setting appeared to do plenty of the work, with several attendees posting photos and videos afterward and leaving with strong impressions of the stadium and the atmosphere.
For a staff working to keep momentum on the trail, those kinds of visits matter almost as much as what happens on the field. The Gators want recruits to see packed stands, energy, and a place that feels different on game day, and this opener offered exactly that kind of stage. The social media reaction suggested the trip landed well, even if the longer recruiting payoff is still to come. [Read more 🡒]
Auburn Has Early Reason To Watch Floridas Eric Singleton Situation
Eric Singleton Jr. gave Florida an early scare in Week 1 when the receiver went down with an ankle injury against Florida Atlantic, and the initial read is not encouraging for the Gators. Head coach Jon Sumrall labeled him highly questionable, while offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner said the injury was a disappointment, a rough start for a transfer who was expected to play a major role in the offense this season.
The timing makes it worth watching beyond Gainesville, too, because Auburn already knows plenty about Singleton from his previous stop there before he moved on to Georgia Tech and then Florida. For the Gators, the immediate concern is simple: getting a key weapon healthy enough to matter early in the schedule, starting with Campbell, while the longer-term question is how much time this ankle issue might cost a player they were counting on to help shape the passing game. [Read more 🡒]
Florida Passing Game Faces Early Test After Key Receiver Concern
Floridas opening-week win over Florida Atlantic came with a small but notable wrinkle in the passing game, as transfer wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. left with an ankle injury and is now doubtful for the upcoming game against Campbell. Even in a blowout that ended 66-21, the Gators did not get a catch from Singleton, who arrived with more than 2,000 career receiving yards and was expected to be part of the early conversation in Floridas offense.
With Campbell next on the schedule, the focus shifts to how quickly Florida can keep building rhythm through the air while one of its more experienced targets works back toward full health. Quarterback Aaron Philo and wide receiver Vernell Brown III helped lead the offense in the opener, but Singletons status adds another layer to a passing game that is still sorting out its early-season shape. [Read more 🡒]