“Shells.” That was the story from Florida football’s third spring practice. The term would be only loosely interesting if you were at the beach. It’s even less intriguing in the context of college football. But on Tuesday, the Gators took the next step of the NCAA’s mandated spring football schedule, putting on guardian cap-less helmets and shoulder pads — shells — as they completed their third practice.
Rising sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway dressed the same as the rest of his teammates, but as has been the case through the last week, he did not throw. Similarly, junior defensive backs Aaron Gates, Dijon Johnson and Sharif Denson didn’t participate for the third consecutive practice as they continue to recover from injuries suffered last season. Nevertheless, freshmen, transfers and others buried in UF’s depth chart have gotten a chance to take much-needed reps and step up in their place.
Each of the 12 players and coaches who have spoken to the media through the first week of practice have mentioned the word “opportunity.” With a roster featuring over 130 players, many don’t get frequent reps during fall camp, while most don’t see the field in the regular season itself. Spring football is the chance — an opportunity — for Florida’s “lost boys” to have their moment while others rest.
Rising redshirt sophomore cornerback Cormani McClain is among the most notable players who have stepped into the open reps. The redshirt sophomore has had an abnormal route to UF which began in Boulder, Colorado, before he transferred to Florida last summer as a preferred walk-on. He played sparingly during the fall, but with extended time on the field this spring, he’s starting to blossom.
“He works really hard, not just at his craft, but just to be the best person he can be every day. He has grown up a lot,” redshirt senior defensive lineman Tyreak Sapp said. “Cormani is going to be dangerous. That kid, he's fast in the way he understands the game. He just has a knack for playing corner. He understands how to play corner.”
In a world of college football that's quickly evolving, McClain represents a consistent piece of the spring schedule. This offseason, the redshirt sophomore has added over 20 pounds while focusing on maintaining his speed. That has already translated to the field this spring with the trio of junior starters rehabbing. As a former Top 10 recruit, it isn’t surprising that he’s performing well, but with his TMZ-profile-esque journey, his growing maturity has caught some eyes.
"Cormani has been phenomenal,'' said UF director of strength and conditioning Tyler Miles. "And not just putting on weight. He has conducted himself extremely well. I'm extremely proud of Cormani McClain. He just knows what to expect.”
While he’s experienced more in two years than most, he seems to be finding his place with additional reps — the beauty of what the spring can provide. However, McClain isn’t Florida’s only thriving contributor with unexpected practice time.
In what’s been a frequent talking point throughout the offseason for Florida football, freshmen are quickly finding their place. That's most notable on the defensive line, with Jalen Wiggins and Jayden Woods making strides as early enrollees.
There are a lot of similarities between redshirt senior edge rushers George Gumbs Jr. and Tyreak Sapp. The pair are vocal leaders who don’t hesitate to express their opinions and back it up on the field. So far, they’ve agreed emphatically on one opinion: Woods and Wiggins will contribute.
“He’s pretty good,” Gumbs Jr. said about Woods to open Tuesday’s media availability. “I’m just watching him strike guys and I’m like, ‘Oh my God.’ I know some of the tight ends and tackles just hate seeing him on the edge because it’s borderline violating.”
Sapp shared a similar thought about Wiggins, emphasizing the pair’s upside.
“Kid has a high ceiling,” the redshirt senior position-group leader said. “He’s a hard worker. He’s very coachable, like I said with [Jaylen] Woods. But he has a whole lot of potential. He got a high ceiling. So I feel like his best days are ahead.”
Wiggins and Woods are top 200 recruits and top 20 edge rushers in 247Sports’ recruiting rankings, and through three practices, it’s already clear why. While Florida’s defensive line features multiple veterans, they’ve taken advantage of the reps this offseason. In Wiggins’ case, so much so that he’s ingratiated himself to his teammates in a mere seven days.
Toward the end of Gumbs Jr.’s first spring press conference, he announced that Wiggins has taken on the nickname “The Preacher.” Why?
“He’s about to bless somebody,” the redshirt senior responded. “He’s a pretty strong guy. He’s made some plays and pretty front reads, and [he’s] very aggressive in the run.”
As Florida’s staff and players have outlined, that’s what the spring provides: an opportunity. For some, it’s a chance to get in early and establish themselves. For others, it's a time to take advantage of additional reps as they finally look to break into Florida’s lineup. For all, it's a chance for them to “bless somebody,” while touching the field for the first time in months.
Most people look forward to the spring and into the fall, and rightfully so. But spring football is the platform that players launch from into SEC stardom. For the Gators’ defense, the increased reps could take an improving group to the top of the conference, aided by increased depth.
Contact Noah White at nwhite@alligator.org. Follow him on X @noahwhite1782.
Noah is a Spring 2025 Assistant Sports Editor and Copy Desk Chief. He's a second-year journalism major who enjoys reading and shamefully rooting for Tennessee sports teams. He is also a Liberty League Women's Soccer expert.
