DL LJ McCray Includes Florida on Top Schools List

Florida makes the first cut for in-state defensive line prospect LJ McCray.

Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland defensive lineman LJ McCray included Florida on his first list of top schools, narrowing his recruitment down from 35 offers to 11 contenders for the class of 2024 trench-man.

Auburn, Alabama, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Florida State, Clemson, Miami, LSU, Penn State and Tennessee make up the rest of the group of programs.

Where is Home? 🏠 👀 Let me know…👇🏾 pic.twitter.com/YpsrVV5s0U

— LJ McCray (@LJMcCray11) May 20, 2023

Florida entered McCray's recruitment in June 2022 when the Gators coaching staff presented him with a scholarship offer. He paid the program for UF's matchup with Utah last season and returned twice this offseason, in January and March.

247Sports reports that a plethora of UF coaches has been involved with McCray's recruitment in some capacity, including defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong, tight ends coach Russ Callaway, secondary coach Corey Raymond and edge rushers coach Mike Peterson.

McCray, 6-foot-6, 260 pounds, is considered the No. 15 defensive lineman in the class of 2024 according to the 247Sports composite rankings. Primarily in a defensive end role, McCray tallied 47 tackles, three sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss as a junior with Mainland. He also caught 14 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns as a tight end.

Although he mostly aligns on the outside now, McCray's lengthy frame could lead him to add weight and play defensive tackle at the next level. The Gators have coveted positionally versatile defensive linemen under Peterson and fellow defensive front assistant Sean Spencer, and McCray fits that bill.

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