Monday, November 2, 2026 | Football
McCray has tallied 12 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks on the season through eight games
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Junior defensive lineman LJ McCray has been named to the Comeback Player of the Year Award Mid-Season Watch List, College Sports Communicators announced on Monday afternoon.
On the season, McCray has tallied 12 tackles (nine solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one QB hurry and one pass breakup. McCray's top performance this season came against Texas in Week 7, where he logged four tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 2.5 tackles for loss, all of which were career highs. Following that performance, McCray was named one of six Comeback Players of the Week for Week 7.
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. 25 Gators (5-3, 3-3 SEC) return to action at home on Nov. 7 when they take on Oklahoma (4-4, 2-3 SEC) at 7:45 p.m.
To see the full list Comeback Player of the Year Mid-Season Watch List, click here.
About The Comeback Player of the Year
Since 2018, the award has recognized college football student-athletes for overcoming injury, illness, or other circumstances. At the conclusion of each season, in a vote by a panel of college football writers, editors, and sports information directors, three college football student-athletes are honored as Comeback Player of the Year Award winners at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.
About College Sports Communicatiors
College Sports Communicators is the premier membership association for all strategic, creative and digital professionals working in intercollegiate athletics across all levels for colleges, universities and conferences across the United States and Canada. CSC provides year-round leadership, community, professional development/education, recognition and advocacy for its 4,900 members. Founded in 1957 as the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), the organization rebranded in 2022 to position itself as a more inclusive organization for communicators in all types of roles and to lead an industry change where strategic and creative professionals are more aligned. CSC's signature work includes the annual CSC Unite convention each June and the administration of the prestigious Academic All-America® program and Hall of Fame. Since 1952, more than 46,000 of the world's most elite student-athletes have been recognized with Academic All-America status in all sports. To learn more, visit CollegeSportsCommunicators.com.
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).
On the season, McCray has tallied 12 tackles (nine solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one QB hurry and one pass breakup. McCray's top performance this season came against Texas in Week 7, where he logged four tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 2.5 tackles for loss, all of which were career highs. Following that performance, McCray was named one of six Comeback Players of the Week for Week 7.
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. 25 Gators (5-3, 3-3 SEC) return to action at home on Nov. 7 when they take on Oklahoma (4-4, 2-3 SEC) at 7:45 p.m.
To see the full list Comeback Player of the Year Mid-Season Watch List, click here.
About The Comeback Player of the Year
Since 2018, the award has recognized college football student-athletes for overcoming injury, illness, or other circumstances. At the conclusion of each season, in a vote by a panel of college football writers, editors, and sports information directors, three college football student-athletes are honored as Comeback Player of the Year Award winners at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.
About College Sports Communicatiors
College Sports Communicators is the premier membership association for all strategic, creative and digital professionals working in intercollegiate athletics across all levels for colleges, universities and conferences across the United States and Canada. CSC provides year-round leadership, community, professional development/education, recognition and advocacy for its 4,900 members. Founded in 1957 as the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), the organization rebranded in 2022 to position itself as a more inclusive organization for communicators in all types of roles and to lead an industry change where strategic and creative professionals are more aligned. CSC's signature work includes the annual CSC Unite convention each June and the administration of the prestigious Academic All-America® program and Hall of Fame. Since 1952, more than 46,000 of the world's most elite student-athletes have been recognized with Academic All-America status in all sports. To learn more, visit CollegeSportsCommunicators.com.
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).
Players Mentioned
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