Florida DE LJ McCray (foot) to miss time after surgery

Field Level Media|published: 09/08/2025, 12:12pm EDT

Florida Gators edge LJ McCray (11) looks on during spring football practice at Heavener Football Complex at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]

Florida sophomore defensive end LJ McCray is set to be sidelined after undergoing foot surgery on Monday, according to multiple reports.

McCray suffered the injury in the second half of Saturday's 18-16 home loss to South Florida. Per On3, there's a likely recovery timetable of six to eight weeks.

A former five-star recruit in the 2024 class according to 247Sports, McCray also missed the Gators' season opener vs. Long Island due to a lower-body injury. He appeared in all 13 games as a freshman, recording 13 tackles, a half-sack, one tackle for loss and five quarterback hurries.

The Gators (1-1) begin a stretch of three straight games against top-10 opponents on the road Saturday against No. 3 LSU (2-0).

--Field Level Media