Florida’s 66-21 Week 1 win over FAU looked dominant in the box score, and Pro Football Focus’ grades back that up in a pretty big way.
The Gators came out with an 89.9 overall team grade, which puts them 17th nationally. The offense checked in at 86.4, good for 13th, while the defense landed at 84.1 and ranked 25th. Florida also finished inside the top 25 in nine of PFF’s 12 categories and inside the top 40 in 11 of them.
The one area that stood out as a clear blemish was pressure. Florida’s 62.2 grade there ranked 85th nationally, the lone category where the Gators really lagged behind.
Even so, the defense was solid in other key areas, especially against the run and in coverage. Florida posted an 89.9 run-defense grade, tied for 11th nationally, and an 84.9 coverage grade, which ranked 12th.
The tackling number was strong too at 83.9, good for 10th, and Florida missed nine tackles across 91 defensive snaps, a missed-tackle rate under 10%.
On offense, the passing game led the way with an 85.7 grade, while pass protection came in at 86.8. The run game was more middle-of-the-pack by comparison, with a 79.2 rushing grade and a 67.0 run-blocking mark.
Among the highest-graded offensive players, TE Micah Jones led the way at 87.5 on 10 snaps. QB Aaron Philo followed at 86.0 over 49 snaps, with RB Jadan Baugh at 81.4 on 25 snaps. WR Vernell Brown III also finished strong at 79.9 across 40 snaps, and TE Amir Jackson posted a 77.1 on 25 snaps.
Other notable offensive grades included OL TJ Dice Jr. at 76.8, QB Tramell Jones Jr. at 75.2, WR Bailey Stockton at 71.3, RB Duke Clark at 70.6 and TE Luke Harpring at 70.0.
At the bottom end for the offense, WR Kahliel Jackson was at 54.6, TE Heze Kent at 55.9, OL Roderick Kearney at 60.0, OL Bryce Lovett at 60.4 and OL Harrison Moore at 60.5.
Defensively, edge Kofi Asare topped the chart at 82.6 over 31 snaps. CB Dijon Johnson graded out at 78.1 on 50 snaps, and S Bryce Thornton was next at 76.5 across 58 snaps.
Edge Jayden Woods, LB Aaron Chiles and S DJ Coleman each came in at 76.1, with Coleman logging 75 snaps. Lagzona Hayward posted a 75.4 on 15 snaps, while edge Kamran James checked in at 74.4 and edge Emmanuel Oyebadejo at 73.5.
DL Jeramiah McCloud rounded out the higher end at 71.5 on 52 snaps.
The lower defensive grades included DL DK Kalu at 46.5, CB Jordy Lowery at 50.9, CB Ben Hanks III at 53.6, LB Myles Johnson at 56.3 and S Cam Dooley at 60.0.
In Other News...
Eric Singleton Injury Clouds Florida's Biggest Week 1 Takeaway
Floridas Week 1 win over Florida Atlantic came with one of those early-season reminders that a good opener can still leave a program checking the injury report. Wide receiver Eric Singleton, the high-profile transfer from Auburn, went down after being rolled up on while blocking and had to leave the game with a leg injury, adding an uneasy note to an otherwise encouraging showing from the offense.
The Gators managed to keep moving without him, which offered a positive sign about the depth around him, but Singletons status now hangs over what should have been the biggest takeaway from opening week. For a Florida offense trying to build momentum early, the question is less about what happened Saturday and more about whether one of its most important newcomers will be available for the games ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Florida Already Has An Early Injury Concern On Offense
Floridas offense was already dealing with a shaky start in the opener against Florida Atlantic, and it got worse quickly when senior wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. left early with an ankle injury and did not return. For a team trying to establish rhythm right away, losing a veteran pass catcher so soon put an immediate spotlight on the depth around him and how the Gators would adjust if he had to miss any additional time.
Head coach Jon Sumrall said the severity of Singletons injury is still unknown, with more information expected later. The backfield had its own issue too, as senior running back Evan Pryor was sidelined by a hip injury, though that problem is not expected to be long-term. For Florida, the early-season concern is less about one isolated absence and more about whether the offense can stay intact long enough to settle in. [Read more 🡒]
Aaron Philo Just Gave Florida Fans An Early DJ Lagway Debate
Florida fans got an early reminder of how closely quarterback play is going to be watched this fall when Aaron Philo turned in a throw that showed the kind of timing and feel Florida has been looking for. The pass kept the receiver moving and ended in a touchdown, the sort of small detail that can make a big difference in a system where rhythm matters and every completion gets scrutinized.
It also invited an unavoidable comparison to former Florida quarterback DJ Lagway, now starting at Baylor, whose similar throw came a beat behind and helped doom a two-point try. Lagway had a difficult game overall, and the contrast between the offseason storyline around his struggles and what unfolded on the field only sharpened the debate for anyone still measuring what Florida lost and what it has in front of it now. [Read more 🡒]