Jayden Woods generating ‘so much buzz’ at Florida fall camp, according to Gators insider
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Jayden Woods hasn’t played an official down yet at Florida, but in time the 4-star phenom who arrived in Gainesville from faraway Kansas could be starting a memorable run as a Gator.
If his performance so far at Florida fall camp is any indication, UF fans might be in for a treat. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound edge rusher who starred at Mill Valley High in Shawnee, Kan., has already made quite the impression in Billy Napier’s defense, according to Gators Online insider Zach Abolverdi.
On Wednesday, Abolverdi appeared on a Rivals’ The Inside Scoop and hailed Woods’s performance so far in Gainesville.
“I will say, though, since we’re about freshmen and stuff, and we’re talking about 5-stars, this guy wasn’t a 5-star, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention right here on your show that Jayden Woods is a guy that is generating so much buzz as a true freshman. It started in the spring,” explained Abolverdi.
“It’s continued into training camp. I mentioned (wide receiver) Dallas Wilson working with the starters on offense. Jayden Woods has been working as a starter on defense, and he plays the same spot as (sophomore) LJ McCray. I think both of those guys, you’re going to see have bigger roles this year.”
The coming days, weeks and months will tell the tale of Woods and his impact as a true freshman, but Florida just might have recruited a future SEC star from Kansas, of all places. According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Woods was the 142nd-ranked player from the Class of 2025, as well as being the 14th-ranked edge rusher in the class and the 5th-ranked player from the state of Kansas.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
