McCray Named to 2026 College Football Comeback Player of the Year Watch List
Thursday, August 20, 2026 | Football
LJ McCray played in one game in 2025 before missing the rest of the season due to injury
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Redshirt Sophomore LJ McCray has been named to the 2026 College Football Comeback Player of the Year preseason Watch List
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.
McCray, a former five-star recruit, made only one appearance for the Gators in 2025, logging four snaps at defense against USF, before missing the rest of the season. In 2024, McCray played in all 13 games for the Gators, where he finished 13 total tackles (3 solo), 1.0 TFLs, 0.5 sacks and five quarterback hurries.
McCray's work during this past offseason earned him a spot on college football writer Bruce Feldman's annual "Freak's List" which celebrates exceptional athletic feats and testing numbers from players across college football. According to Rusty Whitt, Florida's Director of Football Performance, McCray increased his top-end speed from 18.50 mph to 20.31 mph, while adding 21 pounds of lean muscle.
For the full 2026 College Football Comeback Player of the Year watch list, click here.
2026 Single-Game Tickets
Single-game tickets are now 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 FAU (Sept. 5), Campbell (Sept. 12), Ole Miss (Sept. 26), South Carolina (Oct. 10), Oklahoma (Nov. 7), and Vanderbilt (Nov. 21). Fans can also purchase tickets for the game against Georgia in Atlanta on Oct. 31.
2026 Season Tickets
Following 18-straight, sold-out games at The Swamp, season ticket packages for the 2026 season are on sale now. The 2026 home schedule features six games against FAU (Sept. 5), Campbell (Sept. 12), Ole Miss (Sept. 26), South Carolina (Oct. 10), Oklahoma (Nov. 7), and Vanderbilt (Nov. 21).
2026 Gators Stadium Pass
The Gators Stadium Pass provides guaranteed admission to all six home games of this season. Seat locations are assigned at random during the week leading up to each game, offering pass holders a unique viewing experience from different areas of the stadium. To attend games with friends, accounts may be linked for the full season, or guest passes may be purchased on a per-game basis.
2026 Mini Plans
Build a custom mini plan to lock in the games that best fit your schedule. Two-Game and Three-Game Packs are on sale now.
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.
McCray, a former five-star recruit, made only one appearance for the Gators in 2025, logging four snaps at defense against USF, before missing the rest of the season. In 2024, McCray played in all 13 games for the Gators, where he finished 13 total tackles (3 solo), 1.0 TFLs, 0.5 sacks and five quarterback hurries.
McCray's work during this past offseason earned him a spot on college football writer Bruce Feldman's annual "Freak's List" which celebrates exceptional athletic feats and testing numbers from players across college football. According to Rusty Whitt, Florida's Director of Football Performance, McCray increased his top-end speed from 18.50 mph to 20.31 mph, while adding 21 pounds of lean muscle.
For the full 2026 College Football Comeback Player of the Year watch list, click here.
2026 Single-Game Tickets
Single-game tickets are now 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 FAU (Sept. 5), Campbell (Sept. 12), Ole Miss (Sept. 26), South Carolina (Oct. 10), Oklahoma (Nov. 7), and Vanderbilt (Nov. 21). Fans can also purchase tickets for the game against Georgia in Atlanta on Oct. 31.
2026 Season Tickets
Following 18-straight, sold-out games at The Swamp, season ticket packages for the 2026 season are on sale now. The 2026 home schedule features six games against FAU (Sept. 5), Campbell (Sept. 12), Ole Miss (Sept. 26), South Carolina (Oct. 10), Oklahoma (Nov. 7), and Vanderbilt (Nov. 21).
2026 Gators Stadium Pass
The Gators Stadium Pass provides guaranteed admission to all six home games of this season. Seat locations are assigned at random during the week leading up to each game, offering pass holders a unique viewing experience from different areas of the stadium. To attend games with friends, accounts may be linked for the full season, or guest passes may be purchased on a per-game basis.
2026 Mini Plans
Build a custom mini plan to lock in the games that best fit your schedule. Two-Game and Three-Game Packs are on sale now.
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