LJ McCray following a stop during the Gators' game against the Texas Longhorns on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Tex. (UAA Photo / Hannah White
Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | Football
McCray tallied 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss, both career highs, in the Gators Week 7 win at No. 7 Texas
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Junior defensive lineman LJ McCray has been named a comeback player of the week following his performance in the Gators' 27-24 win at No. 7 Texas, the College Sports Communicators have announced. Each week three offensive players and three defensive players are honored.
McCray, the Daytona, Fla. native, had a career-day against the Longhorns, as he put up four tackles (three solo), 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss, all career highs, helping power the Gators to its largest comeback win against a ranked SEC opponent in a true road game.
Near the end of the third quarter, McCray had back-to-back plays where he registered a tackle for loss for two yards and then half a sack for seven yards to stifle a Texas drive and Florida would obtain its first lead of the day at 20-17 on the ensuing drive.
McCray was named to the College Football Comeback Player of the Year preseason watch list after a 2025 season that saw him make only one appearance for the Gators before missing the rest of the season due to injury. Through seven games, McCray has already set career highs in sacks with 2.5 and tackles for loss with 4.5, while making 12 total tackles (nine solo).
The No. 20 Gators 5-2 (3-2 SEC) are back in action following the bye week on Oct. 30 when they take on No. 5 Georgia in Atlanta.
2026 Single-Game Tickets
Single-game tickets are on sale for the 2026 Florida Football season under first-year head coach Jon Sumrall. Fans can purchase single-game tickets for home contests against Oklahoma (Nov. 7) and Vanderbilt (Nov. 21). Fans can also purchase tickets for the game against Georgia in Atlanta on Oct. 31.
McCray, the Daytona, Fla. native, had a career-day against the Longhorns, as he put up four tackles (three solo), 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss, all career highs, helping power the Gators to its largest comeback win against a ranked SEC opponent in a true road game.
Near the end of the third quarter, McCray had back-to-back plays where he registered a tackle for loss for two yards and then half a sack for seven yards to stifle a Texas drive and Florida would obtain its first lead of the day at 20-17 on the ensuing drive.
McCray was named to the College Football Comeback Player of the Year preseason watch list after a 2025 season that saw him make only one appearance for the Gators before missing the rest of the season due to injury. Through seven games, McCray has already set career highs in sacks with 2.5 and tackles for loss with 4.5, while making 12 total tackles (nine solo).
The No. 20 Gators 5-2 (3-2 SEC) are back in action following the bye week on Oct. 30 when they take on No. 5 Georgia in Atlanta.
2026 Single-Game Tickets
Single-game tickets are on sale for the 2026 Florida Football season under first-year head coach Jon Sumrall. Fans can purchase single-game tickets for home contests against Oklahoma (Nov. 7) and Vanderbilt (Nov. 21). Fans can also purchase tickets for the game against Georgia in Atlanta on Oct. 31.
Players Mentioned
DL
/ FootballTuesday, October 20
Monday, October 19
Monday, October 19
Saturday, October 17
