T.J. Searcy taking on starting role after Freshmen All-SEC season

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Four Gators earned Freshman All-SEC honors last season, which led the league and marked the most by Florida since 2012. One of those selections was EDGE T.J. Searcy.

He played outside linebacker, aka the JACK position, and finished with 26 tackles (nine solo), 3.5 tackles-for-loss, 0.5 sacks, two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble in 12 games played.

“I had a great experience my freshman year. I had a lot of fun in the games, and I was just trying to get better each time I got on the field,” Searcy told Gators Online.

“I feel like me coming in spring last year helped a lot, with me getting playing time earlier in the season and being able to prove myself so I could be in later on in the season.”

Searcy served as the backup to Princely Umanmielen, who earned All-SEC honors and led the team with career highs for tackles-for-loss (11.5), sacks (7.0), quarterback hurries (17) and tackles (39).

Searcy said he was “pretty surprised” when Umanmielen transferred to Ole Miss because he expected him to turn pro early. Nonetheless, his departure has opened the door for Searcy to start.

“I definitely knew that it was going to be a big spot for me to step up in, seeing that he was gone. I kind of felt like he was going to be gone regardless, like he could go to the league. I didn’t think he was going to transfer, but I kind of had an idea that I was going to have to step up,” Searcy said.

Florida defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong described Searcy as a tough, smart player who loves football. He credited him for being a “conscious note-taker” in meetings.

Searcy played a lot in a subpackage last season, Armstrong said, but he believes the sophomore outside linebacker will be ready to take on a bigger role this year.

“I love TJ. TJ, he’s my kind of guy, South Georgia guy,” Armstrong said. “When he’s out there, he plays the game the way it’s supposed to be played. It’s important to him.

“The guy played a bunch of good football for us last year as an 18-year-old. I think that he can take some steps relative to playing the run and doing some stuff for us.”

Searcy increased his size and strength this offseason, up 12 pounds to 257. He’s been working with position coach Mike Peterson in spring ball on his pass-rush technique and getting better hand position so he can beat blocks.

“A guy that could do it all. You know, he can play the run, he can rush the passer, he can drop into coverage. Complete player, and a great kid,” Peterson said of Searcy. “He loves watching tape, loves watching himself, loves asking questions about this and that.

“He had a good year last year, All-SEC or whatever, but that was last year. So, I’ve been talking to TJ about, ‘OK, this is Year 2. Let’s get better. Where can we improve on, where can we go now?’ So that’s what we’re focused on.”

Searcy earned a tackle grade of 87.5 from Pro Football Focus, which led all UF defenders in 2023. The Peach State product made one of his best plays in the Florida-Georgia game.

Searcy was at the 20-yard line when UGA receiver Ladd McConkey caught a pass, and he sprinted almost 60 yards to bring him down from behind for a touchdown-saving tackle at the 23.

“I’m going to try my hardest to get to the ball every time,” Searcy said. “Like that’s the main thing in my game. I always try to get to the ball. Just call it an extra habit.”

What did the coaches think of his effort on that play?

“They definitely gave me a little bit of love for it, for sure,” he said with a smile.

In addition to being his position coach, Peterson served as Searcy’s primary recruiter. He initially pursued him at South Carolina when he was a position coach there.

As a Georgia native with Bulldogs fans in his family, Searcy never envisioned himself playing for the Gators. Now he’s in line to be one of their starters on defense.

“My recruiting process was really crazy,” Searcy said. “I didn’t believe I was going to Florida. I never thought I would end up at Florida, but you know, God works in mysterious ways. I just felt like this was going to be the best place for me and my family.

“I had a great connection with Mike P from South Carolina still. So whenever he came here and offered me, and then I brought my family here, I was like, ‘Yeah, this has to be the spot.’ It’s always been the same with Coach P. He just keeps it so real with you.”

Has Searcy converted the Bulldogs in his family?

“Yeah, definitely,” he said. “My aunts and stuff, now they’re Gators.”