Gators DL LJ McCray Tabbed to 2026 College Football Comeback Player of the Year Watch List

Former five-star LJ McCray enters 2026 with a chip on his shoulder after a foot injury limited him to just four snaps last season.

Former five-star LJ McCray enters 2026 with a chip on his shoulder after a foot injury limited him to just four snaps last season. | Courtesy of UAA Communication

GAINESVILLE, Fla.-- As a former five-star recruit heading into his third college season, Florida Gators defensive end LJ McCray enters a crucial 2026 season with hopes that he can finally blossom into the star many expected him to be.

Behind a strong offseason after missing most of 2025 with a foot injury, McCray is garnering some national attention. The 6-foot-6, 277-pound defender on Thursday was named to the
2026 College Football Comeback Player of the Year Preseason Watch List. Awarded since 2018, the award recognizes college football players for overcoming injuries, illnesses or other circumstances.

The three winners, chosen by a panel of writers, editors, sports information directors, will be honored at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.

In addition to McCray, Florida has seen running back Jadan Baugh (Maxwell Award, Hornung Award, Doak Walker Award), punter Alec Clark (Ray Guy Award), receiver Vernell Brown III (Hornung Award), center Harrison Moore (Rimington Trophy), linebacker Myles Graham (Butkus Award, Wuerffel Trophy) and kicker Patrick Durkin (Lou Groza Award) all named to a preseason watch list.

LJ McCray → Comeback Player of the Year Watch List 👀

📰 https://t.co/fBLqlPa6EX@LJMcCray11 | #GoGators pic.twitter.com/gWjgn5FWub

— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) August 20, 2026

Expected to be a major contributor for Florida in 2025, McCray played in just one game, recording one quarterback hurry across four snaps in the lost to USF. This was coming off of a 13-tackle, 0.5-sack performance as a true freshman in 2024.

While McCray has yet to truly break out, there is hope that 2026 will be the year he does so.

Entering fall camp, strength and conditioning coordinator Rusty Whitt and head coach Jon Sumrall each raved about his improvements in the weight room, noting McCray increased his speed from 18.5 miles per hour to 20.31 miles per hour. Sumrall said he was cleaning at 365 pounds. He was also named to the Athletic's Bruce Feldman's "Freak List" for the 2026 season.

"That is incredible for a guy his size," Whitt said of his speed.

Additionally, Sumrall is seeing those improvements from the weight room translate onto the field. Sumrall explained that McCray's confidence has blossomed during fall camp.

"He's a leaner, stronger version himself. And he's got confidence too," Sumrall said. "The weight room, it's amazing how much more confident you can become as a player when you've committed to making yourself better in the weight room. Because he walks around with a little different edge about him right now. He plays like he's believing what he can become, and so it's exciting to see it come to life for him. The lights have come on for sure, and excited to see him continue.”

McCray's teammates are also seeing that confidence translate to the field. McCray has been a standout leader on defense, while his general effort on every rep has led to a nickname from his position-mates and position coach Gerald Chatman: "All Gas McCray."

"Coming off that injury, he's really hungry. He's ready to go," linebacker Myles Graham told Florida Gators on SI last month at SEC Media Day. "I'm excited to see him just let it loose this fall and just wreak havoc."

McCray, meanwhile, does not see this season as a make-or-break campaign, especially considering his former standing as a five-star recruit.

“I don't think that's what it is," McCray said. "I think I'm just going out there to be the best I can. I mean, pressure is a privilege, and it’s a privilege to be in the position I'm in.”

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