GD3,
Not yet but close - hopefully he moves on after this year !
If I'm counting correctly - only a 6th yr SR.
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Gators to Hire Ron Roberts as LB Coach, Co-Defensive Coordinator ?
- Thread starter Jeff from Jax
- Start date
Not yet but close - hopefully he moves on after this year !
If I'm counting correctly - only a 6th yr SR.
If you're thinking of Roberto Aguayo, he has a younger brother who stepped in after he left.
Pride isn't very good and was pushed out by the staff. He just had a bad knee injury. Our new DB coach Pat Surtain didn't want him to stay. I'm not even sure UF will take him. His rating is not correct, I expect him to plummet
Yes. We have The Batteles end collective which has some big backers and a bunch of money. Lots of NIL deals but more on retaining players and transfers than freshman. They were not involved with last yrs freshman vlass but they will be with this year's class
Haggins, Atkins are both good recruiters..... that's about it. Our new QB coach Tokarz has signed 2 QBs in a row that are good players and we have Luke Kro up next (believe he is a top 75 player). He's not bad.
Our DE coach is awful at recruiting (he loses top level guys left and right), Randy Shannon is awful at it, Pat Surtain is new so I have no judgement on him yet one way or the other. Our DC is absolute garbage at recruiting. Our Receiver coach Ron Dugans isn't very good but had a decent cycle last yr. Our Rb coach is solid but hasn't signed a "big fish" yet but has Kam Davis in the boat this cycle
Our TE coach has been atrocious thus far but we are close to flipping a 5 star from UGA Landen Thomas
Only 3 or 4 yrs, he was just in the news a lot (got arrested for disturbing the peace LOL, drinking after a game).
He declared for the draft after his 3rd year. He was dubbed Briberkowski for bribing a police officer then later dubbed Raperkowski when he dropped some sex stimulant pills in a woman's drink.
No. He was on the fence about coming back this yr and our collective got him close to a million to return (think it was a little over 900k). He will try NFL after this yr
GD3,
I sure hope NOT !
We had trouble tackling him the the whole game; hell we had trouble getting a hand on him.
I believe our Defense will be better; but as Insta's says - you realize it wouldn't be hard !
"Last years defense, without 3rd and Grantham, finished at 129 of the 131 D-1 teams.....
So, it won't take much to be better this season, will it? 🙄"
Putting our defense up against Jordan Travis for 1 more game is enough.
Numbers,
That, barring injury, was a good investment !
Paying a proven QB - who could have gone to the NFL - $900K for his last year, with a good team to support him, makes sense !
Paying huge NIL$$$ - to an unproven HS player - doesn't !
According to TX fans it sounds like Arch Manning is likely to be #3 in the pecking order this season. They seem to think their redshirt freshman QB may push the starter in camp after this Spring. Curious to see how things play out there over the next few years. I think Manning may be overrated due to his name myself after watching his high school tape.
Fever,
So you think Arch was a Max Brown type at a small private school playing sub-par competition ?
I would fall out laughing if he entered the portal -
and nobody cared !
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Not really saying that but not sure he will come close to his billing when he starts finally. Wouldnt surprise me if its another Chris Simms situation if they try to start him because of his name next year. Though its TX and maybe if that kid beats him out next season also he will hit the portal.
IMG LB Gavin Nix Intrigued by 'Really Aggressive' Gators Defense
With a new play-caller at the helm, the Gators' "really aggressive" defense intrigued IMG Academy linebacker Gavin Nix during his latest visit to Florida.Nix has already collected 19 scholarship offers, with Alabama, Michigan, Florida State, Miami, Tennessee, North Carolina, Oregon and other notable programs alongside Florida in the mix for his services at this time.
One can expect the Gators to remain in the race for some time after they sent an offer Nix's way in June 2022.
"They're always gonna rank pretty high because, you know, they've been showing love to me since I was young," Nix admitted about Florida. "So, you know, I want to go somewhere where I feel wanted, where I feel love. So they'll always stack pretty high."
As I have mentioned many times - the 1st major offer & UOV make a huge impression !
You can't be the absolute 1st every times, but Gators under CBN starting to make their mark.
I am convinced that our recruiting, under CBN & his staff, will continue to improve.
https://www.si.com/college/florida/...gavin-nix-intrigued-really-aggressive-defense
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Post-spring depth chart projection
ByNick Marcinko
-
April 15, 2023
With spring football officially over, Gator Country provides our way too early 2023 two-deep depth chart projection.
As the writer points out - these are Way Too Early depth charts; certain positions guaranteed to change during / after fall practice.
Also the spring portal window is May 1 - May 15, 2023. Don't know how / if that will help the Gators.
With spring practices completed at the time of the portal opening, players will have a good idea of their standing at their current program and can seek to insert themselves into a program with greater playing time potential.
While their are bound to be some good players available, how well they will be able to integrate themselves into a new team will be the question.
IMO, HS WR Eugene Wilson III, due on campus over the summer, most likely new player to break into the depth chart; but won't happen for the first few games.
CBN has repeatedly stated that he will be looking at the spring portal for an additional QB - for depth purposes.
IMO, this is stupid - why sign a transfer QB unless he's good enough to be a starter in the SEC.
IMO, Mertz & Miller, the 2 QB listed at the top of the depth charts, are not SEC quality starting QBs.
Even if CBN finds a quality QB, don't see him learning the offense quick enough to do much good this season.
Have been trying to contact Dr. Frankenstein to see if he could transplant Danny Wuerffel's Brain into Anthony Richardson's Body.
Despite numerous attempts, no luck so far.
https://www.gatorcountry.com/feature/post-spring-depth-chart-projection/
In his final game for FSU, Janikowski converted 5-of-5 PATs and kicked a 32-yard field goal, helping the Seminoles win their second national championship. Although Janikowski's skill as a kicker was unquestioned by NFL scouts, his off-the-field behavior was a cause of concern.
When Polish-born kicker Sebastian Janikowski blew through a team curfew in New Orleans, we all expected some talk of “in-house discipline” and lessons learned, but little else. After all, Janikowski was the best kicker in the land and a national championship game was approaching.
Bowden laughed as if to say, you’re crazy if you think I’m benching my kicking machine for staying out late on Bourbon Street. A newly adopted “Warsaw rule” was what Bowden trotted out instead, laughing at the absurdity of it all.
“If we kick off, he will kick unless he has a heart attack — or I have one,” he said.
“I do have a Warsaw rule: If he is breathing and alive, he will kick off."
And after the wide left's and wide rights, I believe that good ole Blobby Bowdown would have installed SJ as the permanent FSUcks kicker if he could have gotten away with it.... iG
Anyone know if some interesting QBs have entered the portal yet or not since the 2 week window opened?
I had to look up the acronym DMV; at first I thought it was a football term; I now know DMV is an abbreviation used to refer to the National Capital Region portion of the Washington metropolitan area, which includes the whole District of Columbia, along with various districts within Maryland and Virginia.
https://www.si.com/college/florida/...-linebacker-kristopher-jones-jay-bateman-2024
EDIT
On Sunday, four-star linebacker Kristopher Jones out of Stafford (Virginia) Mountain View announced his official visit dates for the Gators as well as their biggest rivals, the Georgia Bulldogs, according to 247Sports’ Brian Dohn.
“Florida OV June 2-4,” Jones told 247Sports. “Just confirmed it. Georgia OV June 16-18.”
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound linebacker has already made spring stops in Athens and Gainesville to get an early taste of what the respective programs have to offer. He now is officially locked into his visits with the two SEC heavyweights.
Jones is ranked No. 147 overall and No. 14 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite
https://gatorswire.usatoday.com/202...ecruiting-kristopher-jones-sec-visits-gators/
Gators Priority LB Target Kristopher Jones
Excellent article - Gators LB Coach Jay Bateman is arguably the hottest Gators' assistant on the recruiting trail through the early stages of the 2024 cycle.https://www.si.com/college/florida/...-linebacker-kristopher-jones-jay-bateman-2024
EDIT
On Sunday, four-star linebacker Kristopher Jones out of Stafford (Virginia) Mountain View announced his official visit dates for the Gators as well as their biggest rivals, the Georgia Bulldogs, according to 247Sports’ Brian Dohn.
“Florida OV June 2-4,” Jones told 247Sports. “Just confirmed it. Georgia OV June 16-18.”
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound linebacker has already made spring stops in Athens and Gainesville to get an early taste of what the respective programs have to offer. He now is officially locked into his visits with the two SEC heavyweights.
Jones is ranked No. 147 overall and No. 14 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite
https://gatorswire.usatoday.com/202...ecruiting-kristopher-jones-sec-visits-gators/
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Another Viewpoint on QB Grahm Mertz
Can Mertz be the game manager we need this year? He seems like a smart guy and knows the offense.
And has the skills to be good.
NM: When I think of the term “game manager”, I think of a QB that can make the easy throws and easy reads while limiting turnovers. One of the stats that jumped out to me when diving into the numbers was how much better Graham Mertz was at short passes compared to Anthony Richardson.
Grahm Mertz’s PFF grade on passes between 0-9 yards: 54.5
Anthony Richardson’s PFF grade on passes between 0-9 yards: 33.8.
Ultimately, I think Graham Mertz’ success in this offense will come down to how well he can take care of the football, which he hasn’t done a great job of in his collegiate career. Mertz has the arm talent and the work ethic, but his consistency has been his downfall.
https://www.gatorcountry.com/feature/florida-football-mailbag-april-edition/
Can Mertz be the game manager we need this year? He seems like a smart guy and knows the offense.
And has the skills to be good.
NM: When I think of the term “game manager”, I think of a QB that can make the easy throws and easy reads while limiting turnovers. One of the stats that jumped out to me when diving into the numbers was how much better Graham Mertz was at short passes compared to Anthony Richardson.
Grahm Mertz’s PFF grade on passes between 0-9 yards: 54.5
Anthony Richardson’s PFF grade on passes between 0-9 yards: 33.8.
Ultimately, I think Graham Mertz’ success in this offense will come down to how well he can take care of the football, which he hasn’t done a great job of in his collegiate career. Mertz has the arm talent and the work ethic, but his consistency has been his downfall.
https://www.gatorcountry.com/feature/florida-football-mailbag-april-edition/
He's never had the running game that he's fixing to inherit which takes pressure off the QB. Just give me 18-29 with 275 yards passing and maybe 2-3TD's. NO turnovers and the let the running game and defense do the rest.
Yep, all we need is a Greg McElroy/AJ McCarron type that executes a "take what the defense gives you" game plan with our growing stable of backs.
I dont think we have the talent overall to enforce our will on too many teams. Not sure this team can be a 200 yards a game area rushing team like the last 2 seasons. We have to hope that Mertz can make up the difference with passing to stay a 425+ yards of offense a game team without those QB rushing yards.
A number that surpised me was we had the #15 offense somehow in 2021 yardage wise at 463 yards a game.
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I think the defense will be better than last year, but the offense will not be as good. Schedule is brutal.
Tebow,
You have posted those same hoped for/made up stats several times before.
RBs good; but SEC Run game depends on OL - decent IMO, but who knows
Defense - IMO better than last year; but again - who knows
- Defense too many young players to expect overnight success
- Who knows how good Armstrong will be as DC
Unfortunately
We live in the real world
& play CFB in the SEC
SO EITHER PUT YOUR PIPE DOWN OR SHARE WITH OTHERS ! -
Based on his career & his best ever year - NO WAY IN HELL Mertz can deliver your Wish List - need a 50% improvement in all categories !
12 gm @ 2-3 TDs / gm = 24 - 36 TDs/season; Mertz's best=19 TDs
12 gm @ 275 yds/gm = 3,300 yds/season; Mertz's best=2,136 yds
18-29 = 62% comp percentage; Mertz's career avg = 59.5%
Mertz career best yr @ Wisconsin
2,136 yds, 19 TDs. 10 INTs, 57.3 comp %
Mertz career stats
in 34 total games @ Wisconsin
5,405 yds=159/gm career - 2,136 yds last season = 178 yds/gm
38 TDs = 1.12 TDs/gm career - 19 TDs = 1.58 TDs/gm last season
26 INTs = .684/gm career - .833/gm last season
59.5 comp % career - 57.3 comp % last season
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/graham-mertz-1.html
Since we wont have the QB rushing yards any longer if Mertz cant give us 225+ yards a game of passing with limited turnovers our defense would have to play really good for us to win most of these games.
The flip is complete, 5 star TE flips from puppies to fsu. Any little w over UGA I'm celebrating
Fever,
Agree - but don't see it happening.
Our defense will be better, but I don't think they will improve that quickly. Too many young players -
PLUS
We don't know how good of a DC Armstrong will be.
Numbers,
Good Catch !
According to his social media, five-star prospect Landen Thomas has flipped his commitment from Georgia to Florida State. Thomas is regarded as the No. 1 tight end in the 2024 class and was recently in Tallahassee over the weekend. He's been a consistent presence on campus since the new year.
"First I would like to thank the University of Georgia for giving me the opportunity to continue my athletic and academic career. But with that being said I would like to I'm flipping my commitment to Florida State University. Go Noles!"
Thomas is quite the unique case as he was previously committed to Florida State early in his recruitment. He pledged to the Seminoles in April of 2021 before backing off of that decision in October of the same year. That prior relationship and love for the program were on his mind over the last couple of months.
"Nah, not really. I still always had love for FSU," Thomas said previously. "FSU's that school that is like still in the back of my mind...Showing me that I'm one of their top priorities."
As a junior, Thomas caught 44 passes for 753 yards and eight touchdowns. He also scored five touchdowns on the ground while being named a MaxPreps Junior All-American second-team selection.
With his addition, Florida State holds 11 verbal commitments and Tribe24 moves up to No. 5 in the country.
The 6-foot-4, 235-pound tight end is regarded as the No. 24 overall prospect, the No. 1 TE, and the No. 5 recruit in the state of Georgia in the 2024 class.
https://www.si.com/college/fsu/recr...tight-end-flips-from-georgia-to-florida-state
Other Thoughts - Nick Marcinko
Do you think Napier should give up the play calling and QB coaching duties?
NM: Play calling was not the issue with Florida’s team last year. It was far from perfect, and Napier will be the first to admit that. I understand thinking Florida should have had a better offense with a top five pick in the NFL draft, but
did you really watch Anthony Richardson’s flaws throughout the season and blame them on Billy Napier?
Richardson’s inability to consistently hit a slant pass really took a lot out of the playbook in 2023. Ricky Pearsall had to essentially learn a different route tree to compliment Richardson’s strengths.
I would have liked to see more designed runs, but I think something more was going on behind the scenes in that regard.
IMO, AR had an undisclosed injury (knee or ankle) that limited his running.
Florida could absolutely hire a better play caller, but I don’t think Napier’s one year stint as Florida’s play caller calls for him giving up the job.
https://www.gatorcountry.com/feature/florida-football-mailbag-april-edition/
Do you think Napier should give up the play calling and QB coaching duties?
NM: Play calling was not the issue with Florida’s team last year. It was far from perfect, and Napier will be the first to admit that. I understand thinking Florida should have had a better offense with a top five pick in the NFL draft, but
did you really watch Anthony Richardson’s flaws throughout the season and blame them on Billy Napier?
Richardson’s inability to consistently hit a slant pass really took a lot out of the playbook in 2023. Ricky Pearsall had to essentially learn a different route tree to compliment Richardson’s strengths.
I would have liked to see more designed runs, but I think something more was going on behind the scenes in that regard.
IMO, AR had an undisclosed injury (knee or ankle) that limited his running.
Florida could absolutely hire a better play caller, but I don’t think Napier’s one year stint as Florida’s play caller calls for him giving up the job.
https://www.gatorcountry.com/feature/florida-football-mailbag-april-edition/
A bunch of HC call plays, Norvell does as well. I don't see anything wrong with it. Maybe he should hire a QB coach tho
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