Examining How the 2024 Gators Improve - The Edge Rushers

The Gators have one of the toughest schedules in the country. As most fans admit, we must upgrade our roster AND improve our coaching, especially on gameday to make a necessary boost to our won/loss record. While some see that as a tall task, I'm going to focus on roster development from opening day 2023 to today.

DTs - Who's Who?

Lost: Princely U. (one of the top edge rushers in the SEC, good at getting push but not very physical)

Gained: J.Boone (I know I'm cheating but he was slated to start last year until a season ending injury in August, coaches thought he had really elevated his game, should fill Princely's void as a veteran presence) L.McCray (the TOP HS edge rusher in the 24 class, the 5 star should have immediate impact rushing the passer, from the same HS as Jachai Polite and Leonard Williams) G.Gumbs (former Northern Illinois player we stole in the portal from Louisville, a project but has the measurables that the Gator staff loves)


Return:
One Starter and 2 Co-Starters- J.Boone (aforementioned reclaiming of his starting position) K.Collins (blue chip highly ranked true FR did not disappoint, very physical and should mold into an all-conference type player) TJ Searcy (the true FR starter at Jack, checks all the athletic boxes this staff looks for, body was not as developed as Collins was strength wise thus capping his effectiveness in SEC play, should take the next step if he works on the S&C side, if so can be also an All-Conference type)

Both Backups- Kam James (the 3rd true FR showed great potential, like Searcy didn't have the body maturity needed to excel every down at the SEC level, but the sky is the limit for improvement) J.Pyburn (not as athletic but the kid was very physical and a tackler on a defense without many willing tacklers, also very versatile position wise, season ending injury vs Arky, may need some time to rehab)

The Upside Fliers - Q.Ivory (UF coaches really liked the late blooming former QB as an athletic freak, still learning the game but found his way onto the field late in the season) G.Gumbs (NIU transfer is more experienced at the position and brings high level athleticism.

The Program Guy - J.Weston (the former WR is a great special teams player but hasn't found a true home position wise, he also reportedly has a 4.0 GPA and is a good team leader, he could leave and play somewhere smaller, but I hope he stays)


Recap: High Upside
Boone, Collins, and Searcy start. LJ McCray and Kam James push to start as well. Those are 5 studs. Pyburn is a solid backup and the 2 athletic freaks Gumbs and Ivory can be used situationally.

The Math:
Would you trade Princely for LJ McCray and Justus Boone? Repeat THE TOP DE in HS football! Then bank on the development and progression of 3 top 150 DEs in Kelby, TJ, and Kam who all got major experience last year. Call me VERY BULLISH.