If it were anybody else, they’d already be on their way to the transfer portal. Because more often than not, after slipping through the depth chart and losing a starter role, that’s exactly how it ends. But not for this Florida Gators edge rusher, for he never considered walking away. And, thankfully, it’s paid off with him making the right kind of noise as the 2025 season looms…

…Because Kamran James is no ordinary player. Out of high school, he was one of the most sought-after recruits in the country. Unfortunately, he didn’t know that the world he was trying to enter was a completely different one. As a freshman, James saw just 77 snaps and finished with 4 tackles. Initially a star in Florida’s toughest high school ranks, James was quickly humbled by the grind of Division I football. “It was a big adjustment,” admitted James. And by the second half of 2023, he realized he wasn’t good enough yet. Still, he kept traveling, he kept taking reps, and he started training with 2024 in mind. “It’s humbling for sure, but it’s all part of it.“ James revealed more, particularly about how his way back to the top went.

As per a tweet by Gators insider Zach Abolverdi, on August 15, the player reportedly “made some of the most mature comments I’ve heard from a player in my time covering UF”. Despite losing his starting role last season Tyreak Sapp, “I believed in coming into a school and staying down. I never planned on hitting the portal,”. “Envy can be the death of players. I could have hit the portal. You can’t do that. And you gotta stay down and grind.” It’s a hard truth, and James has the proper reasoning behind it.

“You can’t take it too personally,” stated James. “You want to be the starter, but he had the hot hand. Yes, I was producing, but he became the No. 1 pass rusher in the nation; highest graded by PFF.” So, instead of hitting the portal, James embraced the challenge. “The same way Sapp was an older player, and I started over him, he could have said, ‘I’m not gonna do this.’ It just brings competitiveness,” added the standout Edge. Interestingly, watching Sapp shine in a role that was once his, James refused to let envy creep in.

Instead, he used it as fuel. “It was motivating,” said James. “Nobody wants to be the guy fans are saying, ‘get him out.’ You don’t want to be the letdown of the room. We’re all brothers.” And that brotherhood drives him. “When I get in the game and the crowd is hyped, I want to make my play, too. It’s a brotherhood, and being so close makes it easy to go as hard as you can for your brothers.” Besides his own resolve, James also had the support of his father and a former coach, who helped him with his mental fortitude.

“I was told ‘you may not be where you want to be’ and that was true, and I was told the things that I had to do. It was easy to listen because I know it was coming from a place of love and somebody that wants the best for me who’s never done me wrong. I told him I wanted it. He was just telling me, ‘go back to the drawing board just like high school, you are trying to take that next step and you have to work harder than the next person every time, every day,” the young player recalled. The result? Well, hear it from head coach Billy Napier himself…

As per a revelation about the emerging stars in the team earlier this week, Napier called James “a student of the game” and noted, “Kam James is a starter in our mind. We see him as a guy who can go out there and play winning football,” Napier said. “He’s got an incredible future in front of him and he’s one of the best football players that we have.”

As for the edge rusher, he’s also ware that good things are coming. “It’s amazing, but it’s all part of the plan,” said James. “I’ve been a leader on every team I’ve ever played for. I believe in staying down until you come up. I knew once my chance came, I’d grab it and never let go. It was just a long time coming.” So, surrounded by a deep group of edge rushers, James has risen to the top. Now, his moment is here: a breakout season feels inevitable. Like they say, all’s well that ends well. And in the player’s former coach, Travis Gabriel’s words, as he shared Abolverdi’s tweet, “What else can be said about this guy. @thereal_kam_ has always been a loyal, committed guy who believes in the grind it takes to be better. I am honored to be his coach.“

But, on the other hand, Tyreak Sapp is reportedly challenging Billy Napier’s unit with tough demands.

Florida veteran lays down a stern demand

Tyreak Sapp has long been praised for his work ethic and presence in the locker room. HC Billy Napier even called him “one of the best practice players we have.” And in today’s era of CFB, his mentality stands out. But now, the veteran edge rusher made a harsh demand.

“I want to put immense pressure. I want them to feel it. And I want them to hate practice,” said Sapp, referring to Florida’s O-line. “I want them to hate it, because when they go in the game, I want them to be hated. I want people to watch the film and be like, ‘I don’t want no parts of that.’And that’s what it has to be if you want to be the best in the country.” However, he didn’t stop there. “And they bring it every day and I love those guys. Those guys force me to get ready. They force me to learn and adapt. So right, the sky’s the limit for the O-line man,” added Sapp.

Well, looks like the Gators’ 2025 season just got a lot more interesting. Are you excited?