Five players to keep an eye on during their trip to Starkville on Saturday morning.
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Florida coach Billy Napier will be without his top wide receiver when the Gators take on Mississippi State this weekend, but the team still boasts plenty of talent.
The Bulldogs will kick off their SEC campaign against a Florida squad that’s nearing the possibility of playing under an interim head coach. The 2024 season hasn’t gone as Florida fans had hoped, but the roster remains filled with skilled players.
Here are some key players Mississippi State fans should keep an eye on when the Bulldogs face the Gators at 11 a.m. Saturday on ESPN:
QBs Graham Mertz/DJ Lagway
It’s almost unfair to separate these two. All eyes will be on whichever quarterback starts for the Gators, especially given their rough start to the 2024 season. Here are their stats for the season so far:
Mertz: 2 starts, 23 completions on 35 attempts, 286 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, 65.7% completion rate, averaging 143 yards per game.
Lagway: 1 start, 3 games played, 27 completions on 44 attempts, 541 yards, 4 TDs, 3 INTs, 61.4% completion rate, averaging 180.3 yards per game.
RB Montrell Johnson Jr.
Johnson’s performance alone isn’t why he’s on this list. So far, he’s tallied just 166 rushing yards on 33 carries with three touchdowns, averaging 55.33 yards per game. Instead, he’s here because of Mississippi State’s struggles against the run this season, ranking 122nd in FBS. If Florida’s offensive line can replicate Arizona State’s success from two weeks ago, Johnson could be set for a breakout game.
DT Cam Jackson
Mississippi State fans are well aware of who Chris Jones is and his impact on the field. Cam Jackson plays a similar role for Florida. Although he only has five tackles this season with no sacks or tackles for loss, he has the potential to be a disruptive force, much like Jones is for the Chiefs.
WR Elijah Badger
Florida will be missing its top receiver for the second consecutive game, making Badger the Gators’ primary target. Badger has recorded 11 receptions for 260 yards (23.64 yards per catch) and a touchdown, performing like a true No. 1 receiver. In last week’s game against Texas A&M, with Eugene Wilson III sidelined, Badger stepped up with five catches for 94 yards and a touchdown.
LB Shemar James
The junior from Mobile, Ala., is arguably one of Florida’s top defenders. He earned Freshman All-SEC honors in 2022 and likely would have made an All-SEC team in 2023 if not for a season-ending injury. In just three games this season, he’s registered 11 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, a pass breakup, a quarterback hit, and an interception. James is a versatile defender that Mississippi State will need to keep an eye on every play.
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