Predicting statistical leaders for the Florida Gators in 2024

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators will report for fall camp on Tuesday, July 30. That will mark the start of three weeks of camp before the Gators head into the first game week of the year in preparation for the Miami Hurricanes.

Before camp starts we wanted to get some predictions on the record. Here are our predicted statistical leaders in 11 different categories for the Florida Gators this season.

Passing yards/TDs

Graham Mertz

This comes as no surprise. As long as Mertz stays healthy in 2024 he’s going to be Florida’s starting quarterback. Mertz completed 261-of-358 passing attempts in 2023 for 2,903 yards and 20 touchdowns. I think he’ll improve on both the yards — topping 3,000 – and touchdowns, getting into the 25 range.

Rushing yards/TDs

Montrell Johnson

Johnson has been the model of consistency in college. He rushed for 838 as a freshman at Louisiana, 841 as a sophomore, and 817 as a junior. But in each of those seasons, Johnson had to share carries. He was one of three backs who carried the ball 100 times at Louisiana and he split time with Trevor Etienne in each of the last two seasons. Johnson and Etienne split carries nearly 50/50 last season. Without a true 1a-1b duo in Gainesville, I think Johnson will see his carries increase. There’s a belief in the building that he can handle that and that he’ll be a running back who gets stronger as the game goes on. I’ve already written that I think Johnson will get over the 1,000 rushing yard mark this year and he should lead the Gators in both yards and touchdowns.

Receiving yards/ receptions

Eugene Wilson

As a true freshman, Wilson was Florida’s second-leading receiver in 2023. He hauled in 61 passes for 538 yards and six scores. I think the Gators look to force the issue and get Wilson the ball even more this year. He should lead Florida in yards and total receptions with ease.

Receiving – Touchdowns

Arlis Boardingham

Here’s the first surprise pick. Wilson led the Gators in touchdowns (6) last season but Boardingham wasn’t far behind him. The 6-3, 240-pound tight end only caught 26 passes last season but four of those ended as touchdowns. Heading into his third season on campus and third as a tight end, Boardingham should be primed to have his best year as a Gator and he’ll lead the Gators in touchdown catches this season.

Tackles

Shemar James

True freshman Jordan Castell led Florida in tackles last season. It’s never great when your safeties are leading in tackles, you’d like a linebacker to take that distinction and that should be the case in 2024. Shemar James finished second on the team with 54 tackles last season in just six games. If James can stay healthy for a full season I think he’ll not only end up as Florida’s leading tackler, but he’ll get close to the century mark, something Florida hasn’t had since David Reese posted 107 tackles in 2017.

Tackles for Loss / Sacks

TJ Searcy

These two, in my mind, will go hand-in-hand. Searcy only had 3.5 tackles-for-loss in 2023 and just 0.5 sacks. This season he’ll take on a starting role and I think he won’t have much of an issue replacing the production of Princely Umanmielen (11.5 TFL, 7 sacks).

Interceptions

Devin Moore

Moore led the team in interceptions last season, well he tied for the lead with Miguell Mitchell and Jordan Castell with one (1).

The Gators were tied for the least interceptions created in the country with Temple. Getting more turnovers is a huge point of emphasis for the team. Devin Moore, in my opinion, is Florida’s best cornerback, he just needs to stay healthy. Moore was successful in that endeavor this offseason. He’s missed half of Florida’s games over the last two years. If he can stay healthy this season he’ll have a breakout campaign, including getting his hands on the football.

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