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Who has been balling out in camp? Here's what UF players had to say

On3 imageby: Zach Abolverdi08/15/25ZachAbolverdi
Florida-Gators-Aaron-Chiles
Florida LB Aaron Chiles (UAA Photo)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — With training camp almost over, who has been balling out in the preseason practices? This question was posed to Florida players in the latest edition of Gator Cam (see below).

A total of 13 Gators shared their choices on camera as they left the practice field. Some of the players were biased with their answer or went with someone at their position, but not all of them.

The two Florida Gators that received the most picks were sophomore linebacker Aaron Chiles and redshirt senior running back Ja’Kobi Jackson. Both players had their names called three times.

UF coach Billy Napier gave high praise to Chiles and Jackson during camp.

“I’m very impressed with Aaron. I think Aaron Chiles is a guy who was not mid-year last year. We lose sight of that. So, he showed up in June and was able to play as a rookie last year, and got some significant experience, and I think he learned from that experience. Had a great offseason. He’s 245 pounds, and he’s got a lot of position flexibility. He could play inside backer, he can play on the edge, he’s got a pass rush ability on third down. He’s a matchup problem, and he’s a really good special teams player. But most importantly, is the energy and the attitude, the physicality. I think he’s contagious in that regard.
Overall, a good young player. He’s going to help our team,” Napier said.

“I’m extremely proud of Ja’Kobi. It’s another great example of our guys in the back, the personnel department, that do a great job. … I think ultimately, we go back to the high school tape, the production, the vision, loose hips, big, low to the ground. Look, the guy’s out of shape when he got here, rough first year, maybe there’s a little buyer’s remorse in the beginning. And then Ja’Kobi just worked, like on a mission, and had a phenomenal year last year. He’s one of the more impactful players on our team. There was no history there, no stars and a guy who’s earned everything he’s got here. He’s got a real story, and I think he’s inspirational to the entire team, and he lives it every day.”

Here’s what the Florida Gators had to say when asked who’s been balling out in practice.

RELATED: ‘Extremely high ceiling’: LB Aaron Chiles stands out in scrimmage

Florida Gators balling out

EDGE Tyreak Sapp: “Ah man, a teammate that balled out this fall camp, I gotta say Kam James. That boy Kam James, that boy be hooping.”

DB Bryce Thornton: “I can’t say no offensive players. If I had to say a defensive player, I’d say Aaron Chiles.”

EDGE Jayden Woods: “Tyreak Sapp and George Gumbs.”

LB Myles Graham: “A.C. Aaron Chiles.”

DB Vincent Brown Jr.: “Vernell Brown. Cuzzo.”

DB Harold Stubbs IV: “Oh yeah, Lagonza [Hayward] for sure.”

RB Jadan Baugh: “Ja’Kobi Jackson and Kahnen Daniels.”

RB Byron Louis: “My teammate Jadan Baugh. Of course.”

K Trey Smack: “Javion Toombs, aka 2boot.”

WR Naeshaun Montgomery: “Jack Cheese (Ja’Kobi Jackson).”

TE Amir Jackson: “Aaron Chiles.”

QB DJ Lagway: “I got Jack Cheese.”

RB Ja’Kobi Jackson: “I got Muizz [Tounkara] and Dallas [Wilson].”

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