GAINESVILLE — Florida began spring practices Tuesday without leading tackler Myles Graham, promising receiver Dallas Wilson and starting defensive end Kamran James of Orlando.
The trio was not all the unavailable Gators, but topped a list of injuries during coach Jon Sumrall’s first practice with his new team.
Coming off shoulder surgery, Graham, a 6-foot-1, 225-pound junior, will not participate in 11-on-11 tackling throughout camp. He led the Gators with 76 tackles and aims to become even more productive and versatile in 2026.
“I’ve got a long way to go to be the player I want to be,” he said. “I just need an improvement in every area. I’ve been doing some self scout(ing) and watching my film and watching some with coach.”
Wilson sat out with a foot injury a season after he missed the first and last four games and was fitted with custom shoes to keep him on the field. The 6-3, 218-pound redshirt freshman from Tampa showed the potential to be a No. 1 receiver in limited action in 2025.
He set spring game records with 10 catches for 195 yards and later torched Texas for six catches for 111 yards and two scores — program records for a true freshman in his first career start.
Sumrall said Wilson’s absence is precautionary, rather than alarming given him recent injury history.
“He would play if we had a game this week,” Sumrall said. “Out of an abundance of caution … I want to make sure we’re doing everything we can for him to get extremely healed, like 100%, and be right, not kind of right.”
James is nursing a shoulder ailment. The 6-6, 280-pound former Olympia High standout totaled 44 tackles, including a team-leading 3 1/2 sacks, two pass break ups, three quarterback hurries and one forced fumble during 12 appearances.
Redshirt junior cornerback Dijon Johnson, an expected starter, continues to recover from a season-ending knee injury suffered Sept. 20 at Miami.
Meanwhile, redshirt sophomore offensive tackle Fletcher Westphal (wrist/hip), redshirt sophomore walk-on edge rusher Titus Bullard (hamstring) and walk-on redshirt senior cornerback Javion Toombs (shoulder) will be limited.
Five players are ruled out for spring, including freshman cornerback CJ Bronaugh, a former Windermere standout and top-100 prospect, because of a shoulder injury.
Joining him on the sideline are freshman defensive lineman Kendall Guervil (knee), redshirt freshman defensive end Jalen Wiggins (hip), freshman offensive tackle Chancellor Campbell (knee) and redshirt freshman offensive lineman Daniel Pierre Louis (hip).
“We’re going to tackle in the spring, we’re gonna do all that stuff, we’re going to get tougher, play physical,” Sumrall said. We’re also going to be smart. “We’re not gonna make dumb decisions with how we expose guys to certain parts of the practice.”
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com