Gators in the NFL: 2025-26 Season Review
Monday, March 2, 2026 | Football
In the NFL's 106th season, former Gators delivered for their teams in all phases of the game, making playoff runs and breaking records.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Breakout rookies, lockdown defenders and impactful offensive starters led the way for Gator alumni throughout the 2025-26 NFL season.
Each week of the 2025-26 season, FloridaGators.com has covered all of the best moments from the NFL stars who made a name for themselves in Gainesville. Here's how the Gators showed out in the NFL's 106th season.
Offensive Highlights
In his fifth NFL season, Kyle Pitts put together a career year with the Atlanta Falcons. The tight end finished with 88 receptions for 928 yards and five touchdowns, ranking second among all NFL tight ends in both catches and receiving yards. Pitts also continued a unique scoring streak, recording exactly one, two, three, four and five touchdowns in his first through fifth seasons, respectively, making him the only player in league history to accomplish that feat.
Much of his production was highlighted by a standout Week 15 performance on Thursday night, when he earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. Pitts totaled 11 receptions for 166 yards and three touchdowns to lead Atlanta to a road win over division rival Tampa Bay. With that outing, he became the first former Gator to score three or more touchdowns in a single NFL game since Fred Taylor did so in 1998.
CAREER NIGHT for Kyle Pitts on TNF 💥
🐊 11 receptions
🐊 166 yards
🐊 3 touchdowns @kylepitts__ x #ProBowlVote #GoGators | #GatorMade
🎥 @NFL pic.twitter.com/Tq2xcZI87T— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) December 12, 2025
For the third straight season, Buffalo Bills right guard O'Cyrus Torrence played 100% of the team's offensive snaps while starting all 19 games. The lineman anchored the interior of Buffalo's offensive line, paving the way in the trenches for running back James Cook to lead the NFL in rushing yards and quarterback Josh Allen to lead all quarterbacks in the NFL in rushing yards.
Torrence committed just one penalty all season, proving remarkable discipline in pass protection. He also made a pivotal play in the Bills' Wild Card win over Jacksonville, driving Josh Allen to the goal line to set up their game-winning touchdown.
LOOK AT O'CYRUS TORRENCE!!! pic.twitter.com/RfVRoEbzkU
— Justin Penik (@JustinPenik) January 11, 2026
Defensive Highlights
Returning from a forearm injury that sidelined him for the final seven weeks of the 2024 regular season, Alex Anzalone did not skip a beat. The veteran linebacker delivered another standout season with 95 total tackles (52 solo), four TFLs, two and a half sacks, one interception and four pass breakups. He was a consistent threat on defense all season long and finished among the top 10 qualifying linebackers in PFF's tackling grade.
Alex Anzalone! @Lions have three INTs
DETvsCIN on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/dNf0f7sNZb— NFL (@NFL) October 5, 2025
After beginning the season in Houston, veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson teamed up with third-year nose tackle Gervon Dexter in Chicago, giving the Bears a pair of impactful Gators on defense. Both delivered strong seasons in 2025. For his new squad, Gardner-Johnson recorded 66 tackles (46 solo), three sacks, three pass breakups and three forced turnovers.
Dexter added 44 tackles (21 solo) and two fumble recoveries to his stat sheet, while posting a career-high six sacks throughout the season. Together, the duo provided steady pressure on opposing quarterbacks, combining for 51 total quarterback pressures for a Chicago defense that led the league in takeaways and advanced to the NFC Divisional Round of the playoffs.
.@CGJXXIII with our 30th takeaway of the season 🙌
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/rtoXXswg2y— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 14, 2025
Special Teams Highlights
Chimere Dike delivered a masterful rookie season. Offensively, he added 48 receptions for 423 yards and four touchdowns for the Titans, but it was on special teams where he truly made his mark. Dike piled up 1,588 kick return yards, highlighted by a return of 71, and averaged 17.3 yards-per-punt return with a 90 yard long, taking two of those back for touchdowns.
His instant impact earned him a Pro Bowl starting nod and First Team All-Pro honors. He also took home AFC Special Teams Player of the Week recognition and set an NFL rookie record for most all-purpose yards in a single season with 2,427 total yards. Tennessee clearly found a gem, as Dike has already broken the franchise record for most kick return yards in a season.
Chimere Dike, Rookie Sensation 🐊 @chimdk11 | #GatorMade pic.twitter.com/0OdxxbOyRs
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) January 16, 2026
Steady Eddy is finding a new home for himself in the Bay. Eddy Piñeiro made a big impact in his first season in San Francisco, leading the NFL in field goal percentage at 96.9% (min. five games), converting 31 of 32 attempts with seven makes from 50+ yards. His hot start earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for October, when he was perfect on 10 field goals and six extra points. During that stretch he drilled a career-long 59-yarder, became the first 49ers kicker to open his tenure with 15+ straight makes and the first since 2017 to hit four or more field goals in back-to-back games.
Eddy Piñeiro's 25-straight field goals made is the longest streak by any kickers this season.#ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/8dpa6yXmlC
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 16, 2025
Best Moments
Malik Davis house call on Thanksgiving! The third-year running back found his stride late in the season for the Cowboys and made a major impact in their annual holiday matchup, breaking loose for a 43-yard touchdown that helped power Dallas to a win over the Chiefs.
Thanksgiving TD for Malik Davis 🐊 #KCvsDAL 📺 CBS
🎥 @NFL
pic.twitter.com/xuJy7gs1Bt— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) November 27, 2025
Demarcus Robinson getting it done again in the playoffs. The veteran wideout has reached the playoffs every year of his career, and this season he turned in one of his best performances yet. In his opening matchup against the Eagles, Robinson hauled in six receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown. He set the tone early with a 61-yard grab on the first drive of the game, later capping that same drive with a touchdown reception to give the 49ers an early lead. San Francisco rode off his momentum to a win over Philadelphia and advanced to the Divisional Round.
WAY TO START DEMARCUS‼️
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/nS7F6VIZU0— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 11, 2026
Another consistent season for Evan McPherson, who boasted a career-high 89.3 field goal percentage. Of his 25 made kicks, two stood above the rest. In Week 12 against the Patriots, he drilled a 63-yard field goal, setting a new career long and a franchise record for the Bengals. Earlier in the year, McPherson delivered a game winner on Thursday night in Week Seven, knocking through a 36-yard go-ahead field goal against the division rival Steelers.
Evan McPherson drills a new career-long 63-yarder!
NEvsCIN on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/P7BY8tl9SI— NFL (@NFL) November 23, 2025
Rookie Spotlight
Rookie sensation on special teams! Jeremy Crawshaw made an immediate impact in his first NFL season, booming 85 punts for 4,070 yards, including 35 pinned inside the 20 and a long of 76 yards. His ability to consistently flip the field played a major role In keeping Denver in tight games, helping power the Broncos to the AFC's top seed and a trip to the Conference Championship. His standout performance earned league-wide recognition, as he was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
First #NFLPlayoffs punt for @jeremy_crawshaw 🇦🇺
📺: BUFvsDEN on @ESPNAusNZ @7Sport @DisneyPlus @TVNZ @NFLonDAZN pic.twitter.com/WAKGxdHKtE— NFL Australia & NZ (@NFLAUNZ) January 17, 2026
Shemar James, the tackling machine. In his rookie campaign, the linebacker made his presence felt with 91 tackles (40 solo), two TFLs, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. He quickly became a bright spot for Dallas' defense.
Fumble! @DallasCowboys recover!
WASvsDAL on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/gYOoZYxlb6— NFL (@NFL) October 19, 2025
Gators Super Bowl Streak Continues
After signing with the Jets as an undrafted free agent this past year, rookie linebacker Ja'Markis Weston found a new opportunity midway through the season with the Seahawks, where he became a key member of Seattle's practice squad during their Super Bowl run. Following the Seahawks' victory over the Patriots in Super Bowl LX, Weston became the eighth Gator alum to win a Super Bowl in his rookie NFL season.
With that success, former Gators have now been part of the last five Super Bowl-winning teams and have contributed to 27 winning teams all-time
Season Stats
Arizona Cardinals
90 – Zachary Carter – DT – 4 years (13 Tackles, 5 Solo, 1 FF)
Atlanta Falcons
8 – Kyle Pitts – TE – 5 years (88 Rec, 928 Yards, 5 TD, 2 Tackles)
16 – Kyle Trask* – QB – 4 years (Practice Squad)
39 – C.J. Henderson – CB – 6 years (13 Tackles, 8 Solo, 1 INT, 3 PD)
Baltimore Ravens
58 – Taven Bryan – DT – 8 years (1 Tackle, 0.5 Sack, 2 QB Hits)
Buffalo Bills
64 – O'Cyrus Torrence – G – 3 years
Carolina Panthers
37 – Montrell Johnson* – Rookie – (Practice Squad)
92 – Cam Jackson – DT – Rookie (9 Tackles, 2 Solo, 2 QB Hurries)
Chicago Bears
35 – C.J. Gardner-Johnson – S – 7 years (70 Tackles, 50 Solo, 5 TFLs, 3 Sacks, 6 QB Pressures, 1 FF, 2 INT, 5 PD)
99 – Gervon Dexter Sr. – DL – 3 years (48 Tackles, 23 Solo, 6 TFLs, 6 Sacks, 44 QB Pressures, 2 FR)
Cincinnati Bengals
2 – Evan McPherson – K – 5 years (25/28 FG, 41/44 XP, Long of 63)
24 – Marco Wilson – CB – 5 years (3 Tackles, 3 Solo)
98 – T.J. Slaton Jr. – DL – 5 years (52 Tackles, 19 Solo, 4 TFLs, 3 Sacks, 19 QB Pressures)
Cleveland Browns
65 – Kingsley Eguakun – C – 1 year
Dallas Cowboys
13 – Dante Fowler Jr. – DE – 11 years (15 Tackles, 10 Solo, 4 TFLs, 3 Sacks, 30 QB Pressures, 3 PD)
25 – Trikweze Bridges – CB – Rookie (23 Tackles, 17 Solo, 1 INT, 3 PD)
43 – Malik Davis – RB – 3 years (52 Carries, 250 Yards, 2 TD, 2 Rec, 16 Yards, 7 Tackles, 2 Solo)
50 – Shemar James – LB – Rookie (91 Tackles, 40 Solo, 2 TFLs, 1.5 Sacks, 8 QB Pressures, 1 FF)
Denver Broncos
16 – Jeremy Crawshaw – P – Rookie (85 Punts, 4070 Yards, 35 Inside the 20, Long of 76, 1 Tackle)
Detroit Lions
34 – Alex Anzalone – LB – 9 years (95 Tackles, 52 Solo, 4 TFLs, 2.5 Sacks, 18 QB Pressures, 1 INT, 9 PD)
Green Bay Packers
57 – Brenton Cox Jr. – DL – 3 years (5 Tackles, 2 Solo, 1 TFL, 1 Sack, 3 QB Hits, 1 FF)
Houston Texans
6 – Tommy Townsend – P – 6 years (80 Punts, 3843 Yards, 32 Inside the 20, Long of 73)
18 – Graham Mertz – QB – Rookie
77 – Trent Brown – OT – 11 years
Indianapolis Colts
5 – Anthony Richardson Sr. – QB – 3 years (1 Completion, 9 Yards, 1 Rec, 9 Yards)
Jacksonville Jaguars
51 – Ventrell Miller – LB – 3 years (38 Tackles, 17 Solo, 3 QB Hurries, 2 FF, 1 INT, 4 PD)
Kansas City Chiefs
25 – Dameon Pierce – RB – 4 years (14 Carries, 36 Yards, 4 KR, 92 Yards)
74 – Jawaan Taylor – OT – 7 years
Las Vegas Raiders
70 – Stone Forsythe – OL – 5 years
88 – Justin Shorter – WR – 3 years (3 Tackles)
Los Angeles Chargers
35 – Marcus Maye – S – 9 years (5 Tackles, 1 Solo)
Los Angeles Rams
72 – DJ Humphries – OL – 11 years
Miami Dolphins
33 – Jason Marshall Jr. – CB – Rookie (23 Tackles, 14 Solo, 1 TFL, 1 QB Hit, 1 INT, 4 PD)
Minnesota Vikings
58 – Jonathan Greenard – OLB – 6 years (38 Tackles, 19 Solo, 10 TFLs, 3 Sacks, 47 QB Pressures, 1 FF, 3 PD)
New Orleans Saints
98 – Jonathan Bullard – DE – 10 years (26 Tackles, 12 Solo, 4 TFLs, 3 QB Hurries, 2 PD)
Philadelphia Eagles
74 – Fred Johnson – OT – 7 years
Pittsburgh Steelers
53 – Jeremiah Moon – LB – 3 years (2 Tackles)
61 – David Sharpe* – OT – 6 years (Departed Midseason)
San Francisco 49ers
1 – Ricky Pearsall – WR – 1 year (36 Rec, 528 Yards)
5 – Demarcus Robinson – WR – 10 years (29 Rec, 388 Yards, 2 TD, 1 Carry, 6 Yards)
18 – Eddy Piñeiro – K – 5 years (28/29 FG, 34/38 XP, Long of 59)
Seattle Seahawks
46 – Ja'Markis Weston – LB – Rookie (2 Tackles)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
56 – Desmond Watson* – DL – Rookie (Departed Midseason)
Tennessee Titans
11 – Van Jefferson – WR – 6 years (29 Rec, 350 Yards, 1 TD)
17 – Chimere Dike – WR – Rookie (48 Rec, 423 Yards, 4 TD, 11 Carries, 18 Yards, 62 KR, 1588 Yards, 23 PR, 398 Yards, 2 TD)
35 – Kaiir Elam – CB – 4 years (33 Tackles, 22 Solo, 1 TFL, 2 FR, 2 PD)
78 – Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson – OT – Rookie
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