Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Edge rusher Justus Boone was expected to be a key contributor to the Gators' defense in 2023. Instead, he missed the entire season due to a torn ACL suffered in preseason camp.

"I've worked hard to be in the position that I've been put into, as far as being a leader, being a part of the defense," Boone said this week. "To have it kind of stripped away from you in the moment is very devastating."

Recovering from a torn ACL is no easy task.

"Right now, he's going through probably the hardest thing in football," said Gators assistant coach Mike Peterson. "I tell all the guys, 'Injury, it's a process coming back.' You want to be ready tomorrow, but it doesn't work that way. You got to do what you're supposed to do in the training room and get yourself back."

Boone has had the support of his teammates and coaches throughout the recovery process, but it's never been. He continues to work his way back with the Gators in the middle of spring camp.

"It's definitely humbling," Boone said. "Just as fast as you can be granted with a lot of great things and great opportunities, they can be taken away from me."



A native of Sumter, S.C., Boone credits his spirituality and relationship with God in helping him stay positive. He said he has discovered strength within himself that he didn't know he possessed.

Fellow edge rusher Jack Pyburn suffered a torn ACL in November's loss to Arkansas. Boone says it's hard for him and Pyburn to sit on the sidelines and watch his teammates run drills without restriction.

"It's difficult just watching because we're physical people," Boone said. "We kind of share that about each other. We just love it. We are hard workers, and we just want to do everything that we possibly can to make the team better for our defense and for ourselves."

Pyburn and Boone rehab together on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with hopes to return to the field in the fall.

In addition to being a quality player for the Gators, the 6-foot-3, 263-pound Boone is a veteran leader in the locker room. Due to his injury, he has yet to participate in full-contact drills, but teammates and coaches still feel his influence.

"Boone is the leader of the group," said Peterson, who coaches the edge rushers and outside linebackers. He's the guy who's been around. When the group is looking a little slow or sluggish, I just get on Boone, and Boone kind of gets the group right."

Sophomore edge rusher T.J. Searcy said that Boone's return will help the Gators in multiple ways. Boone started two games as a redshirt freshman in 2022 and finished the season with 24 tackles and a sack.

"[It] will boost the team's morale, as far as leadership goes [and] not just making plays on the field but also speaking up, using his voice. He does great at that," Searcy said.

Boone considers the injury a boost to his leadership development.

"My injury gave me a different perspective," he said. "As far as coming from a leader and being a teammate, I honestly can see things from a different point of view. I think I'm better for them. I'm more equipped for them. Although I may not be 100% back physically, I'm 100% mentally."

The redshirt junior also appreciates the support from head coach Billy Napier throughout his recovery. During the offseason, Napier gave Boone the iconic No. 1 jersey.

"No. 1 man, it's just an honor," Boone said. "I wear it every day with pride. I know that it comes with high expectations. I love expectations, because I love striving, I love going towards stuff and reaching my goals and the ceiling."

"I'm going to go through for the ceiling, for real."

Boone hasn't fully recovered but expects to be ready by the regular season when the Gators open at home against Miami.

There's more work to do and Boone is ready to tackle the assignment.

"No words, man. I honestly just can't express enough how much I love this team, love this facility, love this school, love just everything about it," said Boone. "I give everything I got every day for the team, for myself so that I can repay them what I feel that I owe."

"I can't even put into words how excited I am to be back and how eager I am to be back."