Gators in the NFL: Crawshaw Shines in the Snow, Weston Heads to Super Bowl LX
Gainesville might be quiet this time of year, but the NFL postseason has been anything but for a pair of former Florida Gators making waves on football's biggest stages. One rookie is bound for Super Bowl LX, while another put on a special teams clinic in a snow-covered AFC Championship showdown.
Let’s break down how these Gator alums are turning heads in the pros.
Jeremy Crawshaw - Punter, Denver Broncos
When the weather turned brutal, Jeremy Crawshaw turned up the heat.
In a game that looked more like a snow globe than a football field, Crawshaw showed exactly why he earned a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. The rookie punter averaged a booming 51.5 yards per punt, flipping the field and pinning the Patriots inside their own 15-yard line three times - a critical edge in a low-scoring, defensive slugfest.
And this wasn’t just any game. This was the AFC Championship, with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.
The stakes were sky-high, the visibility near zero, and yet Crawshaw delivered with the poise of a seasoned veteran. His long of 60 yards was a tone-setter, and in a game where every yard counted, his ability to consistently win the field position battle gave Denver’s defense the breathing room it needed to keep things tight.
It’s not often punters get the spotlight, but when you’re dropping bombs in a blizzard and giving your team a chance to claw back into a championship game, you earn every bit of it.
Ja'Markis Weston - Linebacker, Seattle Seahawks (Practice Squad)
While Crawshaw’s season ended in the snow, Ja'Markis Weston’s is heading to the sunshine of Super Bowl LX.
The rookie linebacker, currently on the Seahawks’ practice squad, will be part of the Seattle roster as they prepare to take on the NFC’s best on the game’s biggest stage. Weston’s inclusion continues an impressive streak for the Gators: 24 straight seasons with at least one Florida alum reaching the Super Bowl.
If the Seahawks come out on top, Weston would become the eighth Gator to win a Super Bowl in his rookie year - joining a group that includes names like Max Garcia, Deonte Thompson, and Dominique Easley. That’s elite company, and it speaks to Florida’s ongoing pipeline of NFL-ready talent that doesn’t just make rosters - it competes for championships.
Conference Championship Gators Recap
Here’s a quick look at the Gators who suited up on Conference Championship weekend:
- Jeremy Crawshaw (Broncos) - 6 punts, 309 yards, 3 inside the 20, long of 60 yards
- **D.J.
Humphries (Rams)** - Veteran offensive lineman in his 11th season
- Ja'Markis Weston (Seahawks) - Rookie linebacker, practice squad
From Gainesville to the NFL’s biggest spotlight, the Gators’ presence continues to be felt. Whether it’s flipping the field in a snowstorm or chasing a ring with Seattle, these rookies are proving that Florida’s legacy isn’t just about college dominance - it’s about building champions at the next level.