6 Florida players to watch against Georgia

The Florida Gators enter the Georgia game with a 5-2 record. Florida has two good results this season: a home win over Tennessee and a comeback road victory at South Carolina. Florida’s comeback against South Carolina was the Gators’ last game ahead of their bye week.

The Gators also have a pair of tough road losses. In Week 1, Florida looked unorganized and overwhelmed in a 24-11 road loss to Utah. In Week 5, the Kentucky Wildcats ran wild on Florida in a 33-14 blowout.

The Georgia Bulldogs dominated Kentucky, but you can throw that out the window ahead of the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. Florida has the talent to make things very interesting against Georgia.

Who are six of Florida’s best players heading into the Georgia game?

6
Running back Trevor Etienne

Florida running back Trevor Etienne has great explosiveness. Etienne and Montrell Johnson pack quite a punch as a running back duo. Etienne has 407 rushing yards on 69 carries and three total touchdowns.

5
Defensive end Princely Umanmielen

Florida Gators junior defensive end Princely Umanmielen has 18 total tackles and three sacks. The talented defensive end is projected as a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft, per Tankathon. Umanmielen has the most sacks of any player on Florida.

4
Quarterback Graham Mertz

Florida quarterback Graham Mertz, a Wisconsin transfer, has played much better in recent weeks. Mertz has 12 touchdowns and two interceptions this season. The junior quarterback has done a good job of taking care of the football this year.

Georgia will look to get pressure on Mertz and move him outside of the pocket. Mertz would really benefit from a strong performance from Florida’s run game.

3
Running back Montrell Johnson

Montrell Johnson is Florida’s top receiving back. Johnson has 18 catches for 128 receiving yards and one touchdown this year. The standout running back also is Florida’s leading rusher with 438 rushing yards on 85 carries. Johnson has rushed for four touchdowns this season.

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart noted that Florida has a great backfield.

A team that runs the ball well, that’s what they should do. They have a stable of backs that’s are as good a backs as we’ve faced.

2
Linebacker Shemar James

Florida Gators sophomore linebacker Shemar James will have to make plays if the Gators are going to stop the Georgia offense. James leads Florida with 50 tackles. The sophomore also has a sack.

1
Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall

AIR PEARSALL! GATORS LEAD 41-37!!

💻: https://t.co/424kEuOau5 pic.twitter.com/GmmyQnOf0o

— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) October 14, 2023

Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall scored a clutch touchdown against South Carolina to put Florida ahead. Pearsall is one of the top players in the SEC. Pearsall has 44 receptions for 619 yards and three touchdowns this season.

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