An impressive group for sure. I hope the coaching is equally improved.It's now full summer, so let the 'Talkin Season' drivel begin..... 😎
A gruesome kneecap dislocation robbed ILB Shemar James of the final four games of the season. James, with a healed kneecap will barrel onto the film, looking to pick up where he left off. In all honesty, the defense collapsed. Losing leads in the fourth quarter against Arkansas and Missouri. The team limped to a 5-7 year, losing every game that James missed.
Added through xfer from SCa, 4-Star Grayson Howard joins the team for 2024.
Here is the 2024 Preseason ILB list. The Defense should be better,,, I'm hoping.
Dered Wingo 6-1 242 Sr
R.J. Moten 6-0 230 Sr - Mich xfer - (Ron Legacy)
Shemar James 6-1 230 Jr - A Rivals 5-star and #1 ILB by Rivals + UA-AA
Deuce Spurlock II 6-0.5 232 rsSo - Mich xfer (2023 ST's)
Grayson Howard 6-4 235 So - SCa xfer
Jaden Robinson 6-0 233 So
Myles Graham 6-0.75 222 Fr - (Earnest legacy) A Rivals 5-Star and #1 ILB + UA-AA
-----
Justin Pelic 5-11 222 rsSr-Grad and WO
Jake Xeller 6-2 239 Fr - WO
If the iG had to guess at the 1-2 starters.....
James/Graham and Wingo/Howard but Fall practice will sort that out.
Moten and Robinson did each have 1 start in 2023.
Florida Gators Linebackers Get Boost in 2024
The Florida Gators starting linebackers in 2024 should be much improved over the unit that finished 2023.www.si.com
floridagators.com
Will the DL be able to put pressure on the opposing QB's this season is a question to be answered vs the scUM thugs of Mi-Am-I to start the season.... It was sorely lacking last season imo. Napier has had a slue of xfer outs on the DL, both his own recruits and those already on the roster. He'd better get whatever the problem was/is fixed quickly....
So, what does the interior DL roster look like for 2024?
The Core of the DL:
DT Joey Slackman 6--3.5 304 Grad-Sr **** - Penn xfer - AA & Ivy Def PoY
NT Desmond Watson 6-5 464 Sr ****
NT Cam Jackson 6-6 374 Sr **** - Memphis xfer
DT Caleb Banks 6-5.75 325 rsJr *** - UL xfer
----- the rest -----
DT Jamari Lyons 6-3.5 298 rsSo ***
DT D'Antre Robinson 6-3 302 Fr ****
NT Michai Boireau 6-4.75 382 Fr ***
-----
DT/DE Tyreik Norwood 6-2.75 243 rsSr - Kentucky Wesleyan xfer - WO
NT Sebastian Scott 6-2 372 rsFr - PWO
DT Andre Morris 6-2.75 308 rsFr - PWO
DT Nicolas Flynn 6-2.5 279 rsFr - PWO
Looks like pretty good players with experience in the 2 deep, but the rest are currently in the shallow end of the pool.... Injuries, or a lack thereof, might be critical in 2024?
The interior DL looks like the questionable group on the defense to the iG, but maybe they can 'rise and shine' to surprise us all?
DC Austin Armstrong - Hired from SMs prior to 2023 season
When first hired by SMs, he was the youngest defensive coordinator in the FBS.
Austin Armstrong - Football Coach - Florida Gators
Austin Armstrong enters his second season with the Gators after being hired as Florida's defensive coordinator prior to the 2023 season. Armstrong lead a youthful
First Year Coaches at UF for the 2024 season:
DL Gerald Chatman - Hired from Tulane Dec 2023
Co-DC Ron Roberts - Hired from Auburn Jan 2024
I'm sure that we're all hoping that this begins to fix the defensive woes.....
Fever, we are all hoping that we can one day soon look back at Napier's first couple of years as his necessary 'growing pains' as a young SEC HC. As always, we'll see soon enough....
I do think it's safe to say that top to bottom, this is the most talent we had in 4-5 years. Better translate to wins lol
Cupboard was bare when Napier took over. I agree this will be the most talent he's had.
I agree, but don't forget about or over-look the experience and talent of Sapp & Boone...
On3 and 247 both saying he's criminally ranked low...most expect a composite 150 or lower once all is said and done. I think he was the #1 WR on FSU's board, or so I read somewhereThe Florida Gators are heating up on the recruiting trail. They added a four-star receiver to their Class of 2025.
Four-star WR Joshua Moore 6-4 210 (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) chose Florida over rivals Florida State and Miami, he announced on Wednesday. He is rated as the No. 9 overall receiver and No. 57 overall prospect in the class of 2025 by On3.
His highlights can be viewed with a link in this article...
Four-Star Wide Receiver Commits to Florida Gators
The Florida Gators are heating up on the recruiting trail. They added a four-star receiver to their Class of 2025.
Also true - I think Dan did more with less than most coaches - just wished he'd have recruited a tich more. Or at all haha.
O'Gara: Power ranking the 7 FBS programs in Florida entering 2024
Who is running the Sunshine State this year?www.saturdaydownsouth.com
Can't forget some of Mullen's recruits also failed to qualify academically.
As K. Ratliff (he was in charge of recruiting) very publicly pointed out, Mullen was not that engaged with recruiting. And it showed. Great offensive mind though. Guy could score some points.
Players often leave with a coaching change, and some times for good reasons.....
