Thirteen Florida Gators true freshmen made their UF debuts Saturday night at the The Swamp in the 55-0 season-opening win over LIU, and some of them made significant contributions.

Linebacker Myles Johnson of Brewton (Ala.) T.R. Miller was one of them. What makes that interesting is this: Johnson not only was not among Florida's highest-rated signees in the 2025 class, he did not arrive on campus until this summer.

But in his first game as a Gator, he impressed.

"He was having fun out there," another Gators linebacker, Myles Graham, said of Johnson. "He was relaxed for a young kid. I know I wasn't that poised in that moment having my first play in The Swamp. There's nothing like it. I'm really proud of him and he had a good tackle, a good hit and it's fun being in there with him and he just keeps growing every single day."

Johnson was at one time committed to Alabama. But when legendary coach Nick Saban retired, Johnson's contact with the Crimson Tide dipped. He backed off that early commitment and pledged to the Gators on July 10, 2024.

Johnson played 13 snaps Saturday against the Sharks; he recorded four tackles [tied for second most on the team] with three solo stops.

Vernell Brown III, receiver: Brown, a former 5-star recruit, became just the third true freshman receiver in school history to start a season opener, joining Percy Harvin (2006) and Antonio Callaway (2015). He had three catches for 79 yards and three punt returns for 45 yards. All told, Brown played 35 snaps, the most of any receiver.

Duke Clark, running back: Clark carried the ball five times for 19 yards [with a long of 5 yards] and caught one pass for 3 yards on 16 snaps.

Trammell Jones Jr., quarterback: Jones took part in 39 snaps as QB2 for the Florida Gators, completing 12 of 18 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns.

Naeshaun Montgomery, receiver: Montgomery played 14 snaps; He recorded two catches for 19 yards with a long reception of 12 yards. He had 21 yards after the catch, third best on the team.

Muizz Tounkara, receiver: Played 26 snaps, third highest among the Florida Gators receivers, and had one catch for 4 yards. He was targeted three times.