Three Former Gators Advance to Conference Championship Weekend with Super Bowl Dreams Alive
As the NFL playoffs heat up, three former Florida Gators are still in the mix, chasing the ultimate prize: a Super Bowl ring. Whether it’s on defense, special teams, or holding it down in the trenches, these Gator alums are making their presence felt on football’s biggest stage.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson - Safety, Chicago Bears
C.J. Gardner-Johnson has seen plenty of playoff action in his seven NFL seasons, and this past weekend marked his 14th postseason appearance-this time with the Chicago Bears, his fourth NFL team. The veteran safety showed exactly why he’s earned a reputation as one of the league’s most instinctive ballhawks.
Gardner-Johnson allowed just a 65.8 passer rating when targeted, a testament to his ability to limit big plays and make quarterbacks think twice before testing him. He added four solo tackles and a pass breakup, continuing to be a stabilizing force in the Bears’ secondary. With his experience and playmaking instincts, he’s the kind of player you want on the field when the stakes are highest.
Eddy Piñeiro - Kicker, San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers didn’t have much to celebrate in their divisional-round loss, but Eddy Piñeiro did everything he could to keep San Francisco in the fight. The veteran kicker was responsible for all six of the team’s points, drilling field goals from 40 and 56 yards out.
Since signing with the Niners in September, Piñeiro has been nothing short of reliable. His 56-yarder on Saturday was a momentum-swinging moment in the second quarter, showcasing both his range and poise under pressure. In a postseason where every point counts, Piñeiro has proven he’s more than up to the task.
Tommy Townsend - Punter, Houston Texans
Tommy Townsend had himself a day on special teams. The Texans called on him five times, and he delivered with booming punts that flipped field position and kept Houston in the game. Townsend totaled 294 yards on those five punts, averaging a staggering 58.8 yards per kick.
His 69-yard bomb was the longest of the postseason so far and reminded everyone why he’s considered one of the league’s most dangerous weapons with his leg. In a game where field position mattered, Townsend’s performance was a clear bright spot for the Texans.
Gators Still in the Playoff Hunt
As the postseason narrows, a few more Gators are still in the hunt for a title:
- Jeremy Crawshaw (P, Denver Broncos) - The rookie punter logged four punts for 188 yards, including a 65-yarder and one downed inside the 20.
- DJ Humphries (OL, Los Angeles Rams) - The veteran offensive lineman continues to anchor the Rams’ front in his 11th NFL season.
- Ja'Markis Weston (LB, Seattle Seahawks) - Currently on Seattle’s practice squad, Weston remains part of a Seahawks team that dominated their divisional matchup.
Gators in the Divisional Round: Full Recap
Here’s a look at how other Florida alums fared during the Divisional Round:
Buffalo Bills (Lost to Denver 33-30)
- O'Cyrus Torrence (G) - 3rd-year guard, starter
Chicago Bears (Lost to Rams 20-17)
- **C.J.
Gardner-Johnson (S)** - 4 total tackles (4 solo), 1 pass breakup
- **Gervon Dexter Sr.
(DL)** - 3 total tackles (1 solo)
Denver Broncos (Beat Buffalo 33-30)
- Jeremy Crawshaw (P) - 4 punts, 188 yards, 1 inside the 20, long of 65
Houston Texans (Lost to New England 28-16)
- Tommy Townsend (P) - 5 punts, 294 yards, 1 inside the 20, long of 72
- Graham Mertz (QB) - Rookie
- Trent Brown (OT) - 11th-year veteran
Los Angeles Rams (Beat Chicago 20-17)
- DJ Humphries (OL) - 11th-year veteran
San Francisco 49ers (Lost to Seattle 41-6)
- Ricky Pearsall (WR) - 1st-year player
- Demarcus Robinson (WR) - 1 catch, 1 yard
- Eddy Piñeiro (K) - 2-for-2 on field goals, long of 56
Seattle Seahawks (Beat San Francisco 41-6)
- Ja'Markis Weston (LB) - Practice squad
With Conference Championship Weekend on deck, the Gator legacy continues to run deep through the NFL postseason. Whether it’s a booming punt, a clutch kick, or a lockdown performance in the secondary, these former Florida standouts are proving they belong on the biggest stage.
And for the three still standing? The dream of hoisting a Lombardi Trophy is just two wins away.