Florida's legacy sophomore linebacker among ESPN's sleeper picks for 2025 season
The key players in this coming fall's efforts are pretty clear, ranging from Heisman Trophy hopeful quarterback DJ Lagway to a trio of potential first-round picks in offensive tackle Austin Barber, edge defender Tyreak Sapp, and center Jake Slaughter. But this quarter cannot carry all the weight on their shoulders.
Which leads us to ESPN's list of sleeper players for college football's top 25 teams in 2025, in which UF lands at No. 19. Florida's feature player is linebacker Myles Graham, who is a legacy through his father, running back Earnest Graham who played played for the Gators from 1998 to 2002.
The younger Graham experienced a successful true freshman campaign in 2024 and is expected to take the next step this year.
"We saw what Graham was capable of as a freshman for the Gators with 30 tackles. He also had three tackles for loss, one sack, an interception and a forced fumble," Harry Lyles Jr. begins.
"With a line that should only be stronger in front of him, along with playing next to Grayson Howard, Graham has the potential to take another step in 2025. The great Florida teams of the 21st century have all had good linebacker play, and it feels like Graham could play that part for this team as it looks to rise again."
Graham is a key component to Florida's defensive corps, which Lagway told Gators Wire "is going to be really strong this year."
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