Gators in the NFL: 2024-25 Season Review
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 | Football
Former Gators shined in the NFL's 105th season, winning Super Bowl rings, making Pro Bowls and setting NFL records.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Florida Gator football alumni had another successful season on the gridiron, making an impact in all three phases of the game.
Each week of the 2024-25 season, FloridaGators.com has covered all of the best moments from the NFL stars who made a name for themselves in Gainesville. Now it's time to take a look at how the Orange and Blue fared in the NFL's 105th season:
The ageless wonder Demarcus Robinson had the best year of his career this season in LA. The 9-year NFL vet hauled in 31 catches while setting career-highs in receiving yards (505) and touchdowns (seven). Robinson also reached his ninth-consecutive postseason, starting in both of the Rams' playoff games.
For the second season in a row O'Cyrus Torrence played 100% of the Bills offensive snaps. Torrence had a standout year allowing zero sacks, one of only seven offensive linemen to allow no sacks on over 1,000 snaps.
Gervon Dexter Sr. started to break out at the end of last season, finishing the year with 2.5 sacks in his last five games. This season Dexter Sr. doubled that total, closing out his 2024-25 campaign with 51 tackles, 23 solo, five sacks, four TFLs and two fumble recoveries.
Prior to the 2024-25 season Dante Fowler Jr. decided to follow former defensive coordinator, and newly appointed Commander's head coach, Dan Quinn to Washington. What ensued can only be categorized as a career resurgence. Fowler Jr. had his second-best season as a pro, finishing with 39 tackles, 25 solo, 10.5 sacks, 14 TFLs and two forced fumbles while starting in all 20 games for Washington.
Steady Eddy Pineiro made an appearance in the NFL record books this season, beating out longtime field goal made percentage leader Justin Tucker for the No. 1 spot. While Tucker eventually retook his throne, Pineiro's 88.1% of field goals made is still good for third-all time among NFL kickers.
During a Week 11 contest with the Jaguars, Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone broke his forearm, forcing the team captain to go on IR. Just seven weeks later Anzalone was back on the field, cast and all, leading his team in tackles while only missing one defensive snap. Despite injury, the 8-year NFL vet posted 63 tackles (43 solo), seven TFLs, five pass breakups and a sack all while helping Detroit make their second consecutive playoff run.
Pearsall made his NFL debut in Week 7 after an inspiring recovery and return to the gridiron following an offseason incident in which Pearsall was shot in an attempted robbery. In his professional debut, he hauled in three passes for 21 yards. The rookie shined over the rest of the season finishing with 31 catches for 400 yards and three touchdowns, including a 141-yard performance in Week 17, the most yards by a 49ers rookie pass catcher since Jerry Rice.
While Ventrell Miller is not technically a rookie, the 2024-25 season served as his first playing season in the NFL after missing all of last year due to injury. The 2023 fourth-round pick proved to be worth the wait, playing in 15 games for the Jaguars with nine starts at linebacker. Miller racked up 80 tackles, 53 of them solo, four TFLs, three pass break ups and forced a fumble in 2024.
Former Gators C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Fred Johnson both earned their first Super Bowl rings as members of the Philadelphia Eagles. The Gators have now been a part of the last four Super Bowl winning teams, and have contributed to 26 winning teams all time. Gator grad Howie Roseman also earned his second ring as general manager of the Eagles. Roseman graduated Florida as a member of the class of '97 with a bachelor's degree.
8 - Kyle Pitts - TE - 4th year (47 receptions, 602 yards, 12.8 y/r, 4 touchdowns)
Buffalo Bills
24 - Kaiir Elam - CB - 3rd year (26 tackles, 17 solo, 2 pass deflections, 1 fumble recovery)
64 - O'Cyrus Torrence - OL - 2nd year
75 - Richard Gouraige* - OL - 2nd year (Practice squad)
Carolina Panthers
4 - Eddy Pineiro Jr. - K - 7th year (22/26 FG, 33/35 XP, Long of 53)
Chicago Bears
99 - Gervon Dexter Sr. - DL - 2nd year (51 tackles, 23 solo, 5 sacks, 4 TFLs)
Cincinnati Bengals
2 - Evan McPherson - K - 4th year (16/22 FG, 37/38 XP, Long of 56)
42 - Marco Wilson - CB - 4th year (17 tackles, 10 solo, 2 PBUs)
77 - Trent Brown - OL - 10th year
Cleveland Browns
Trey Dean* - DB - 2nd year (Practice Squad)
Dallas Cowboys
34 - Malik Davis* - RB - 3rd year (Practice Squad)
Detroit Lions
34 - Alex Anzalone - LB - 8th year (63 tackles, 43 solo, 7 TFLs, 5 QB hits, 1 sack, 5 PBUs)
65 - Kingsley Eguakun* - OL - Rookie (Practice Squad)
Green Bay Packers
57 - Brenton Cox Jr. - DL - 2nd year (12 tackles, 8 solo, 4 sacks, 5 TFLs, 1 forced fumble)
93 - T.J. Slaton - DL - 4th year (30 tackles, 15 solo, 2 TFLs, 3 qb hits, 1 sack)
Houston Texans
6 - Tommy Townsend - P - 5th year (76 punts, 3649 yards, 39 Inside the 20, Long of 69)
31 - Dameon Pierce - RB - 4th year (40 carries, 293 yards, 2 touchdowns)
Indianapolis Colts
5 - Anthony Richardson - QB - 2nd Year (126 completions, 1814 yards, 8 touchdowns)
96 - Taven Bryan - DL - 7th year ( 20 tackles, 11 solo, 1 sack, 3 TFLs, 2 qb hits, 1 pass deflection)
Jacksonville Jaguars
51 - Ventrell Miller - LB - 2nd year (15 games, 80 tackles, 53 solo, 4 TFLs, 1 forced fumble, 3 pass deflections)
Kansas City Chiefs
70 - DJ Humphries - OL - 10th year
74 - Jawaan Taylor - OL - 6th year
Las Vegas Raiders
56 - Amari Burney - LB - 2nd year (17 tackles, 10 solo, 3 TFLs, 1 QB hit, 1 forced fumble)
18 - Justin Shorter - TE - 2nd year
93 - Zachary Carter - DL - 3rd year (22 tackles, 10 solo,1.5 sacks, 2 QB hits, 1 pass deflection)
Los Angeles Chargers
24 - Marcus Maye - S - 8 years (42 tackles, 19 solo, 3 pass deflections, 1 interception, 1 TFL)
Los Angeles Rams
15 - Demarcus Robinson - WR - 9th year (31 receptions, 505 yards, 7 touchdowns)
Minnesota Vikings
4 - Brandon Powell - WR - 7th year (7 receptions, 71 yards, 23 punt returns, 164 yards)
58 - Jonathan Greenard - OLB - 5th year (59 tackles, 41 solo,12 sacks, 18 TFLs, 22 QB hits, 4 forced fumbles, 3 pass deflections)
90 - Jonathan Bullard - DL - 9th year (41 tackles, 21 solo, 1 sack, 7 TFLs, 3 QB hits, 3 PDs)
Philadelphia Eagles
8 - C.J. Gardner-Johnson - S - 5th year (59 tackles, 35 solo, 6 interceptions, 12 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble, , 2 TFLs)
74 - Fred Johnson - OL - 6th year
Pittsburgh Steelers
11 - Van Jefferson - WR - 5th year ( 24 receptions, 276 yards, 11.5 y/r, 2 touchdowns)
49 - Jeremiah Moon - LB - 2nd year (9 tackles, 5 solo)
33 - CJ Henderson - CB - 5th year (Injured /Reserve)
San Francisco 49ers
14 - Ricky Pearsall - WR - Rookie (31 receptions, 400 yards, 3 touchdowns)
Seattle Seahawks
78 - Stone Forsythe - OL - 4th year
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2 - Kyle Trask - QB - 4th year
Washington Commanders
68 - Dante Fowler Jr. - DE - 10th year (39 tackles, 25 solo, 10.5 sacks, 14 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles, 12 QB hits, 1 Int, 1 PD)
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Each week of the 2024-25 season, FloridaGators.com has covered all of the best moments from the NFL stars who made a name for themselves in Gainesville. Now it's time to take a look at how the Orange and Blue fared in the NFL's 105th season:
Offensive Highlights
Another magical season in Atlanta. Kyle Pitts, aka the Unicorn, set career highs during the 2024-25 campaign. Pitts racked up 602 yards and four touchdowns on 47 receptions. The 6-foot-6 tight end's season was highlighted by a two-touchdown game against the Bucs on National Tight Ends Day. Pitts also became the only player in NFL history to start off their career by scoring one, two, three and four touchdowns in order.Kyle Pitts TD scored by season
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 10, 2025
1st 1
2nd 2
3rd 3
4th 4
He is the only player EVER to score exactly 1, 2, 3 and 4 TD in his 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th NFL seasons
🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/s1jx9qkdhE
The ageless wonder Demarcus Robinson had the best year of his career this season in LA. The 9-year NFL vet hauled in 31 catches while setting career-highs in receiving yards (505) and touchdowns (seven). Robinson also reached his ninth-consecutive postseason, starting in both of the Rams' playoff games.
MATTHEW STAFFORD TO DEMARCUS ROBINSON ONE-HANDED TD TO WIN THE GAME FOR THE @RAMSNFL! pic.twitter.com/xqFG6xQ4eS
— NFL (@NFL) November 4, 2024
For the second season in a row O'Cyrus Torrence played 100% of the Bills offensive snaps. Torrence had a standout year allowing zero sacks, one of only seven offensive linemen to allow no sacks on over 1,000 snaps.
O'Cyrus Torrence, @BuffaloBills G, 2024 regular season stats (per PFF)
— Pro Football Hall of Fame Ambassador (@PFHOFAmbassador) January 19, 2025
1011 offensive snaps
0 sacks allowed#BillsMafia #BuffaloBills #NFL #nflplayoffs2025 #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/Rn5R58Zafl
Defensive Highlights
The most notable offseason move by a Gator was Jonathan Greenard heading up north to Minnesota. Greenard signed a four-year deal to become the Vikings starting outside linebacker and promptly proved his worth. The fifth-year pass rusher accumulated 59 tackles (41 solo) while finishing top 5 in sacks (12.0), TFLs (18.0), pressures (84) and forced fumbles (four). Greenard also made his first career Pro Bowl Games, representing the NFC.Jonathan Greenard has been a STEAL free agency signing for the Vikings
— PFF (@PFF) December 17, 2024
pic.twitter.com/DmBoVrWqPv
Gervon Dexter Sr. started to break out at the end of last season, finishing the year with 2.5 sacks in his last five games. This season Dexter Sr. doubled that total, closing out his 2024-25 campaign with 51 tackles, 23 solo, five sacks, four TFLs and two fumble recoveries.
Gervon Dexter fumble recovery!! 🐊@GervonDexter | #GatorMade pic.twitter.com/CAg4jdFyG7
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) November 28, 2024
Prior to the 2024-25 season Dante Fowler Jr. decided to follow former defensive coordinator, and newly appointed Commander's head coach, Dan Quinn to Washington. What ensued can only be categorized as a career resurgence. Fowler Jr. had his second-best season as a pro, finishing with 39 tackles, 25 solo, 10.5 sacks, 14 TFLs and two forced fumbles while starting in all 20 games for Washington.
DANTE FOWLER JR. PICK-6!
— NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2024
📺: #CARvsWAS on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/JTuzB4p55Q
Special Teams Highlights
Another Gator who signed a new contract this offseason, Tommy Townsend just wrapped his first season in Houston. The former All-Pro saw plenty of action in 2024-25, recording a career high in punts (76) and punt yards (3,649) finishing 13th in gross average punt yards (48.0) and third in net punt yards (44.0).MUFFED PUNT = TEXANS RECOVERY ‼️
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 9, 2024
📺: NFL Network/ABC13 pic.twitter.com/FYE9hYoCpr
Steady Eddy Pineiro made an appearance in the NFL record books this season, beating out longtime field goal made percentage leader Justin Tucker for the No. 1 spot. While Tucker eventually retook his throne, Pineiro's 88.1% of field goals made is still good for third-all time among NFL kickers.
Eddy Pineiro kick is GOOD and the @Panthers win in Munich!
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) November 10, 2024
🎥: @NFL pic.twitter.com/D3gbyylgrI
Best Moments
Last year Dameon Pierce made this list for his 98-yard house call on a kick return. This season the four-year NFL vet returns to the best moments section with the longest rush of the 2024-25. In the second quarter of Houston's Week 18 game Pierce broke through the Titans defense for this 92-yard sideline scamper for his second score of the season.DAMEON PIERCE 92 YARDS!
— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2025
📺: #HOUvsTEN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/yUGyPppmBQ
During a Week 11 contest with the Jaguars, Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone broke his forearm, forcing the team captain to go on IR. Just seven weeks later Anzalone was back on the field, cast and all, leading his team in tackles while only missing one defensive snap. Despite injury, the 8-year NFL vet posted 63 tackles (43 solo), seven TFLs, five pass breakups and a sack all while helping Detroit make their second consecutive playoff run.
After undergoing surgery for a broken forearm seven weeks ago, Lions LB Alex Anzalone played 64-of-65 snaps last night, registered a team-high 7 tackles, one QB hit, one pass defense, and was awarded one of three game balls for his efforts. pic.twitter.com/rtkkua8mzN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 6, 2025
Rookie Spotlight
Gator fans will always remember wideout Ricky Pearsall for his spectacular one-handed catch against Charlotte or his game winning touchdown catch on the road at South Carolina, but the rookie has quickly become a household name in the Bay Area.Pearsall made his NFL debut in Week 7 after an inspiring recovery and return to the gridiron following an offseason incident in which Pearsall was shot in an attempted robbery. In his professional debut, he hauled in three passes for 21 yards. The rookie shined over the rest of the season finishing with 31 catches for 400 yards and three touchdowns, including a 141-yard performance in Week 17, the most yards by a 49ers rookie pass catcher since Jerry Rice.
10 weeks ago, Ricky Pearsall was shot.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 10, 2024
Today, he's doing this. pic.twitter.com/wetmsxMk5C
While Ventrell Miller is not technically a rookie, the 2024-25 season served as his first playing season in the NFL after missing all of last year due to injury. The 2023 fourth-round pick proved to be worth the wait, playing in 15 games for the Jaguars with nine starts at linebacker. Miller racked up 80 tackles, 53 of them solo, four TFLs, three pass break ups and forced a fumble in 2024.
Flying all over the field in his first career NFL start @ventrell_miller 🐆
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) October 2, 2024
NFL Sunday Ticket On YouTube https://t.co/WAiP2TS2y2#GatorMade 🐊 pic.twitter.com/SZd0k6bICS
Gators Super Bowl Streak Continues
Former Gators C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Fred Johnson both earned their first Super Bowl rings as members of the Philadelphia Eagles. The Gators have now been a part of the last four Super Bowl winning teams, and have contributed to 26 winning teams all time. Gator grad Howie Roseman also earned his second ring as general manager of the Eagles. Roseman graduated Florida as a member of the class of '97 with a bachelor's degree. Congrats to our Gators for winning the Super Bowl! 🐊#GatorMade | #GoGators pic.twitter.com/ObnwKbuzAx
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) February 10, 2025
Season Stats
Atlanta Falcons8 - Kyle Pitts - TE - 4th year (47 receptions, 602 yards, 12.8 y/r, 4 touchdowns)
Buffalo Bills
24 - Kaiir Elam - CB - 3rd year (26 tackles, 17 solo, 2 pass deflections, 1 fumble recovery)
64 - O'Cyrus Torrence - OL - 2nd year
75 - Richard Gouraige* - OL - 2nd year (Practice squad)
Carolina Panthers
4 - Eddy Pineiro Jr. - K - 7th year (22/26 FG, 33/35 XP, Long of 53)
Chicago Bears
99 - Gervon Dexter Sr. - DL - 2nd year (51 tackles, 23 solo, 5 sacks, 4 TFLs)
Cincinnati Bengals
2 - Evan McPherson - K - 4th year (16/22 FG, 37/38 XP, Long of 56)
42 - Marco Wilson - CB - 4th year (17 tackles, 10 solo, 2 PBUs)
77 - Trent Brown - OL - 10th year
Cleveland Browns
Trey Dean* - DB - 2nd year (Practice Squad)
Dallas Cowboys
34 - Malik Davis* - RB - 3rd year (Practice Squad)
Detroit Lions
34 - Alex Anzalone - LB - 8th year (63 tackles, 43 solo, 7 TFLs, 5 QB hits, 1 sack, 5 PBUs)
65 - Kingsley Eguakun* - OL - Rookie (Practice Squad)
Green Bay Packers
57 - Brenton Cox Jr. - DL - 2nd year (12 tackles, 8 solo, 4 sacks, 5 TFLs, 1 forced fumble)
93 - T.J. Slaton - DL - 4th year (30 tackles, 15 solo, 2 TFLs, 3 qb hits, 1 sack)
Houston Texans
6 - Tommy Townsend - P - 5th year (76 punts, 3649 yards, 39 Inside the 20, Long of 69)
31 - Dameon Pierce - RB - 4th year (40 carries, 293 yards, 2 touchdowns)
Indianapolis Colts
5 - Anthony Richardson - QB - 2nd Year (126 completions, 1814 yards, 8 touchdowns)
96 - Taven Bryan - DL - 7th year ( 20 tackles, 11 solo, 1 sack, 3 TFLs, 2 qb hits, 1 pass deflection)
Jacksonville Jaguars
51 - Ventrell Miller - LB - 2nd year (15 games, 80 tackles, 53 solo, 4 TFLs, 1 forced fumble, 3 pass deflections)
Kansas City Chiefs
70 - DJ Humphries - OL - 10th year
74 - Jawaan Taylor - OL - 6th year
Las Vegas Raiders
56 - Amari Burney - LB - 2nd year (17 tackles, 10 solo, 3 TFLs, 1 QB hit, 1 forced fumble)
18 - Justin Shorter - TE - 2nd year
93 - Zachary Carter - DL - 3rd year (22 tackles, 10 solo,1.5 sacks, 2 QB hits, 1 pass deflection)
Los Angeles Chargers
24 - Marcus Maye - S - 8 years (42 tackles, 19 solo, 3 pass deflections, 1 interception, 1 TFL)
Los Angeles Rams
15 - Demarcus Robinson - WR - 9th year (31 receptions, 505 yards, 7 touchdowns)
Minnesota Vikings
4 - Brandon Powell - WR - 7th year (7 receptions, 71 yards, 23 punt returns, 164 yards)
58 - Jonathan Greenard - OLB - 5th year (59 tackles, 41 solo,12 sacks, 18 TFLs, 22 QB hits, 4 forced fumbles, 3 pass deflections)
90 - Jonathan Bullard - DL - 9th year (41 tackles, 21 solo, 1 sack, 7 TFLs, 3 QB hits, 3 PDs)
Philadelphia Eagles
8 - C.J. Gardner-Johnson - S - 5th year (59 tackles, 35 solo, 6 interceptions, 12 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble, , 2 TFLs)
74 - Fred Johnson - OL - 6th year
Pittsburgh Steelers
11 - Van Jefferson - WR - 5th year ( 24 receptions, 276 yards, 11.5 y/r, 2 touchdowns)
49 - Jeremiah Moon - LB - 2nd year (9 tackles, 5 solo)
33 - CJ Henderson - CB - 5th year (Injured /Reserve)
San Francisco 49ers
14 - Ricky Pearsall - WR - Rookie (31 receptions, 400 yards, 3 touchdowns)
Seattle Seahawks
78 - Stone Forsythe - OL - 4th year
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2 - Kyle Trask - QB - 4th year
Washington Commanders
68 - Dante Fowler Jr. - DE - 10th year (39 tackles, 25 solo, 10.5 sacks, 14 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles, 12 QB hits, 1 Int, 1 PD)
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