Gators Fall Camp 2023: Notes and Photo Gallery From Day 1

Florida kicked off its 2023 fall training camp on Monday. All Gators provides its observations and a photo gallery from the practice.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Season two of the Billy Napier era of Florida football is unofficially underway in The Swamp, as the Gators kicked off fall camp ahead of the 2023 season in the blistering heat of Monday morning. 

Find All Gators' notes and photo gallery from day one of Florida's 2023 fall camp below, collected during the roughly 15-minute media viewing period of practice.

Gators Fall Camp 2023: Day One Notes

• Practice dress code was limited to helmets on day one, although it appeared that some players wore shells. Full pads will be put on in the coming days. 
• Players observed wearing black no-contact jerseys included junior tight end Jonathan Odom, junior offensive lineman Micah Mazzccua, and wide receivers, sophomore Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman, freshman Eugene Wilson III and freshman walk-on Brian Greene Jr. 
• The trio of receivers performed rehabilitative activities in the indoor practice facility, while Odom and Mazzccua participated in individual drills with their position groups.
• New scholarship arrivals: Four freshmen and four transfers practiced with the Gators for the first time on Monday. 
• The group of first-year players consisted of wide receiver Eugene Wilson III, offensive tackle Caden Jones, defensive lineman Gavin Hill and cornerback Dijon Johnson. 
• Running back JaKobi Jackson, offensive lineman Lyndell Hudson Jr., edge rusher Quincy Ivory and safety R.J. Moten joined their respective position groups following their summer transfers.
• Prized Florida 2024 quarterback commit DJ Lagway attended practice and observed his position group during individual drills. 
• Elite 2024 wide receiver recruit and Ohio State commitment, Jeremiah Smith, joined Lagway in attending Florida's first practice of the fall. Smith remains a priority target on the recruiting trail for UF.

Florida Gators Fall Camp 2023: Day 1 Photo Gallery

Florida Gators TE Jonathan Odom

Zach Goodall

Odom returned to practice in front of reporters for the first time this year on Monday, as he was held out of spring camp while recovering from a knee injury suffered against Oregon State in the Las Vegas Bowl in Dec. 2022.

Florida Gators OL coach Darnell Stapleton and guard Micah Mazzccua

Zach Goodall

Gators offensive line coach Rob Sale shared on Sunday that Mazzccua will be "limited" to begin fall camp, although head coach Billy Napier called Mazzccua's recovery from a spring shoulder injury that required surgery "on schedule" at SEC Media Days earlier in July.

Florida Gators WR Eugene Wilson III

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Wilson, a speedy and agile freshman receiver who is the son of former NFL safety Eugene Wilson II, began fall practice performing rehabilitative activities on the side field.

Florida Gators QB commit DJ Lagway and QB Graham Mertz

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Lagway, the leader of Florida's 2024 recruiting class, observes the current contributors at his position during individual drills.

Florida Gators QB Graham Mertz

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Mertz is widely expected to be named Florida's starting quarterback for the 2023 season sometime this fall.

Florida Gators QB Graham Mertz

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Florida Gators QB Max Brown

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Although he is less experienced than Mertz and Jack Miller III, Brown will compete for a role at the quarterback position this year following a productive offseason with both the UF football and baseball teams.

Florida Gators OT Lyndell Hudson Jr.

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Hudson transferred to Florida from Florida International in May following five seasons with the Panthers, over which he took the field for a total of 1,564 offensive snaps.

Florida Gators CB Dijon Johnson

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Johnson, a summer enrollee, was one of the top-rated members of Florida's 2023 recruiting class. He joined the Gators after flipping his commitment from Ohio State.

Florida Gators WR Kahleil Jackson

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A former walk-on, Jackon was promoted to the Gators' full-time scholarship roster ahead of the 2023 season.

Florida Gators OT Damieon George Jr.

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George, who transferred to Florida from Alabama in January, is a strong contender for the role of starting right tackle. Hudson is likely to compete with George for the spot. 

Florida Gators secondary coach Corey Raymond

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Raymond, who was promoted in February, oversaw Florida's cornerbacks during Monday's media viewing period.

Florida Gators safety Miguel Mitchell

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Mitchell, fellow sophomore Kamari Wilson and junior Michigan transfer R.J. Moten are likely to rotate significantly at the safety position for Florida this season.

Florida Gators WR Ricky Pearsall

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Florida's leading receiver from a year ago, Pearsall on Monday was named to the Maxwell Award Watch List, which is presented annually to the most outstanding player in college football.

Florida Gators CB Ja'Keem Jackson

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Jackson soared in the recruiting rankings following his summer 2022 commitment to Florida, thanks to a productive first season as a full-time cornerback as a senior. He joined the Gators for spring practices as an early enrollee.

Florida Gators CB Aaron Gates

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Another early enrollee at cornerback, Gates originally pledged to the Dan Mullen-led Florida coaching staff and maintained his pledge during Billy Napier's first season in charge. 

Florida Gators EDGE Kelby Collins

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Collins, a true freshman, has been vocal about his ambition to receive early playing time at Florida. 

Florida Gators EDGE Princely Umanmielen

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Umanmielen practiced wearing the No. 1 jersey for the first time on Monday following an offseason switch from the No. 33.

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