Florida wide receiver TJ Abrams met with reporters during the first full week of fall camp to discuss his development and the team’s progress.
Abrams reflected on the lessons he took from an increased role last season and why he chose to remain at Florida following the coaching change. He also discussed his offseason focus, the competition in a crowded wide receiver room and the intensity the Gators have brought into camp.
The junior receiver also shared his thoughts on quarterbacks Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr., his relationship with LJ McCray and the culture Jon Sumrall has established.
Here’s everything Abrams had to say.
What was last year like for you individually, and what went into your decision to return to Florida?
I mean, it was a lot to learn from playing behind some guys like J. Mike (J. Michael Sturdivant), Trey (Eugene Wilson III). There was like some great guys you want to play behind. Because my first year I played Chim(re Dike), so it was just a learning experience for me. I actually got to play a little bit more due to injuries. So just seeing how an actual game works instead of just watching it from the sideline taught me a lot.
And being Florida, I just want to stay in Florida. I’m from here, four hours away. And just the Gator name brings more than NIL can bring at the end of the day, like from school, too. I’m a big guy on school. My mom, too. So a degree from Florida holds a lot of weight in my family. So that just kind of helped the decision to stay.
Was there a low point from last season that sticks with you?
Yeah, I’d say like the Georgia game. I had a drop that, any drop during the game can change the tide of stuff. Miami, too, not getting that first down while we had a lot of momentum. Those plays kind of made me mature a little bit more. So I’m kind of glad it happened, but mad at the same time.
Have you moved past the drops, or do they still stick with you?
Yeah, that was something I had to tackle a lot during the offseason. Some coaches be like, because I have huge hands, so it’s not really a skill problem. It’s just more of a focus. So I just made sure I got that in check.
Were you on the JUGS machine?
A lot. I got one in my house now, so that’s an everyday thing.
What happened on the play against Miami when you ran short of the sticks, and what did you learn from it?
Just a mental error. I know that was the correct depth for the play, but I had to pay attention to the sticks. I didn’t get to the sticks.
What’s the competition like in the wide receiver room?
Electric, man. It’s a lot of people that can play a lot of positions. So it’s going to be a fun team to watch on the offensive side, especially.
What will the competition be like just to get targets?
I don’t know. We got a lot of people. Coach Buster (Faulkner) is very good at putting people in different positions. We got a lot of playmakers that can come in and do different stuff.
What has Ben Hanks shown you?
Yeah, Ben, you can tell this year is more personal than ever. He’s just been paying attention to his craft a lot more, just tackling it like a pro. Every time you see Ben, he’s always doing extra stuff after workouts by himself or with a group of DBs.
Did you have a relationship with Marcus Davis before he got to Florida, and what’s it like being around him every day?
No, sir. I did not have a relationship with him besides just the portal part of the stuff, or whatever you want to call it for the coaches. But when he came in, he just kind of talked to us and let us know that he’s here for us. He’s not here just to chase a check. Like some coaches can come here and chase a check, but he’s here to better us, put us in the NFL.
Which receivers coach do you work with the most, and how has he helped your game?
Well, I work with Coach (Trent) McKnight. I just feel like Coach McKnight just keeps it real with me. Even if I’m messing up on plays, because it’s a new playbook, he’s not going to sugarcoat just because of my skill. He’s going to let me know I need to improve on this, and I feel like that’s helped me learn a lot more.
What was it like getting your first start against Kentucky and making plays against Ole Miss?
I mean, it’s been the game I’ve been playing since I was five. So every time I step on the field, it’s just a blessing. So I don’t really do too much, I just go out there and ball. That’s just how I go out there and do it.
Did the way you finished last season show that you were trending upward?
Yeah, I feel like it’s always room for improvement. I definitely liked the way I finished the season, but it’s always more to improve on.
What’s the intensity like early in fall camp?
It’s crazy, man. The players want it more than the coaches want it. The coaches want to be the best we can, but you just feel it a lot with the players. They don’t want to be 4-8 anymore, the guys that did end up staying.
So that’s kind of where we set the tone. We can’t do 4-8 no more. We’ve got to set Florida back on what it used to be.
What makes you optimistic that this team won’t be close to 4-8 again this season?
Just the brotherhood that we have. Coach came in, it wasn’t more of a, ‘Oh, we’re going to win more games, going to win.’ That’s what everybody wants. But he just wants us to be more in tune to each other. A team that’s player-led — that’s what he preaches the most — a player-led team is always a better team. Instead of just having someone tell you what to do, it’s always going to be a player-led team.
What was it like getting to know Aaron Philo this offseason and building chemistry with him?
Yeah, when he first signed to Florida, I hit him up. Just let him know, like, ‘Welcome to Florida. Excited to work.’ And since he came in here, that’s all you’ve been seeing. Just work, work, work. He’s not no quiet guy. He’ll let you know. We’re always having fun. It’s just a great vibe to be around.
What is Aaron Philo like in the huddle and on the field?
Yeah, real-life game manager. He’ll sit down and let you know, if you have a problem. You’re not always going to hear the play all the time because it’s loud in the stadium. We have stadium noise in the practices and stuff.
So if you need help, he’s just going to let you know, like, ‘This is practice. This is where you mess up at. But when you get to the game, you’ve got to tighten up.’
What have you seen from Tramell Jones Jr. after he was limited last year and showed more in the spring?
Yeah, another guy. Him and (Aaron) Philo, they’ve been working hard. Sometimes you don’t even know who’s throwing the ball to you. They’re so good. It’s one of the best QB battles that I’ve been a part of.
I was in high school, I had a QB battle, so I’ve seen a lot. But this right here, the best QB battle ever.
What stands out about Tramell Jones Jr.’s game?
Tramell, he just puts it on the money. As a QB, that’s what you want. You want a guy that’s going to put it on the money, and that’s something he specializes in.
How much different does LJ McCray look after coming in with you in the 2024 class?
Yeah, we came in together. Some of the only ’24 class that’s still here. So watching (LJ) McCray grow kind of makes me proud, like a brother. Seeing him skyrocket into the man he is today, just seeing him work hard on the field. Sometimes I’ll be on the sideline watching him play. Just makes you proud.
How has your increased speed translated to the field?
Yeah, I’ve always been a speed guy, but with Coach (Rusty) Whitt, he’s tackled just hamstring issues. So being able to keep that top speed and keep running at that speed, that’s what Coach Whitt came in and helped. And I feel like that’s been making me just better on the field, too.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida WR TJ Abrams talks fall camp energy, lessons and QB battle
Reporting by David Rosenberg, Gators Wire / Gators Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By David Rosenberg, Gators Wire | USA TODAY Network
