After Portal Thoughts 1/28/23

Greetings, I thought I would take some time and share my thoughts on the State of the FB team. As I've said in the past, the job of a Head Coach is to improve the talent level of his team. At UF, nobody is satisfied with a 6-7 record. Most acknowledged that year 1 was a mystery and predictions from undefeated to 3-9 were thrown out. Most were in between those outliers and a bit more reasonable. I will admit, I had UF winning at least 2 more games than they actually did. What I didn't expect was the inconsistent play at QB and the level of play by the defense.

Coaches
Start with CBN. I like a lot of what Billy did. The effort on the recruiting trail. Putting together what has come to be called the army. Improvements in Strength and Nutrition that will begin to be more evident as time goes by. Things I didn't like as much, some in game decisions, time management, zero staff changes or changes of coaching duties. Not so Special Teams. I will say I think Billy will continue to develop into a very good CEO and is the right guy for UF.
Grade C

Portal
The portal giveth and taketh away. UF added 10 portal transfers to offset those who left. Overall, I believe UF came out the better end of the portal.

DB Room:
Key Departures: Torrance, Dean
Key Additions: Dijon Johnson, Aaron Gates, Shariff Denson, Jordan Castell, Jakeem Jackson, Bryce Thornton.
Projected Starters: Marshall and Hill at corner, Perkins at Star, Miguell Mitchell and Wilson at Safety. Dakota Mitchell will see plenty of time and could take over at Star or Safety. Of the Freshmen, Castell has the best chance of getting playing time IMO followed by Jackson and Denson. I would not be shocked if Gates is tried some on the other side of the ball.
This room is much more talented but much of the talent is young. Being in the second year with Toney and Raymond will help along with a better pass rush.
Grade: Improved

LB Room:
Key Departures: Ventrell Miller
Key Additions: Jaden Robinson, Deuce Spurlock, Trejada Mitchell, Manny Nunnrie.
Projected Starters: Wingo, James. Nunnrie will play a lot especially in passing downs. Adding Mitchell and Spurlock will bring some quality depth. Robinson may need a year but I would not be shocked to see him on Special Teams. The key to replacing Miller is James and Wingo taking big steps and I believe and have said I think Wingo has a breakout year. I did not forget Scooby and believe he will provide depth or even play some Edge.
Grade: Improved

Edge Room:
Key Departures: Brenton Cox (sort of)
Key Additions: TJ Searcy
Projected Starters: Powell-Ryland, backed up by Pyburn, Searcy.
This is where I think we could see Scooby Williams get a look. Lots of potential in this room but again, once past Powell-Ryland it is inexperienced. More speed and more talent.
Grade: Improved

DL Room
Key Departures: Dexter, Jalen Lee
Key Additions: Camron Jackson and Caleb Banks from portal and a great freshmen class of Kelby Collins, Kamran James, Will Norman and Gavin Hill.
Projected Starters: Princely, Big Dez, Chris McClellen. You will see plenty of Jackson and Banks, Boone and Sapp provide quality depth behind Princely. The most likely freshmen to play is Collins. It is easy to forget about a guy like Jamari Lyons who now has a year of S&C under his belt. I expect Spencer to rotate these guys to keep them fresh for the 4th quarter. IMO Lee portaled out as he saw what was coming in. More Depth and talent in this room.
Grade: Improved

OL Room
Key Departures: Torrence, White, Tarquin, Gourage
Key Additions: Micah Mazzccua, Damieon George Jr, Keyaunta Goodwin and a solid perhaps under rated OL class including Harris, Kearney.
Projected Starters: Barber, Mazzccua, Egukaun, Leonard, George Jr.
Replacing a first rounder is never easy but it seems as if the staff may have the potential for another really good OL. Good depth as the staff is very pleased with the improvement of Slaughter. Goodwin is also there for depth. Of the incoming freshmen I would expect Kearney to be the most ready. Losing White and Tarquin made some feel uneasy but this staff seems to have a certain type of OL they prefer. Big and tall. There are now at least 6 OL that are 6'7 or 6'8 and all over 330. The injury to Waites will hurt. Still waiting to see what Herman and Harrod will add to the room. A bit intrigued by what I've heard on Christian Williams and Herman. Last year for Simonds to make an impact. This room has better depth, good young talent but unanwered questions on a new starting five.
Grade: Wash

TE Room:
Key Departures: None
Key Additions: Tony Livingston, Andrew Savaiinaea
Projected Starters: Zanders/Zipperer
Perhaps the TE room is the hardest to figure out. Andrew Savaiinaea was moved from defense to add something the staff is not seeing in the other guys. Zipperer returns from injury as does Bordingham who was thought to be what the staff was looking for in a TE. We was a first year have seen nothing so far from Hanson although he was a freshmen. We can't expect a lot from Livingston and Odom is injured. An optimist would expect one of seven guys would step up and become the guy. I expect the room to be better simply from another year in the system, Bordingham being healthy and maybe a QB that can throw to short an intermediate passes at better than 53% completion rate.
Grade: optimistically Improved

WR Room:
Key Departures: Shorter
Key Additions: Andy Jean, Aiden Mizell, Eugene Wilson, possibly Aaron Gates
Projected Starters: Pearsall, Henderson and Douglas
The biggest win for CBN might have been Ricky Pearsall deciding to come back to school. UF had a chance to get some backups some valuable playing time last year and we should see plenty of Marcus Burkes and Fraziars on the field. This is where a freshmen can also have an impact as the three signees bring much needed speed and quickness. I believe UF will have a hard time keeping Eugene Wilson off the field. I'm not nearly as down about the WR room as others. More speed and more speed.
Grade: Improved

RB Room:
Key Departures: Naquan Wright, Lo Lingard
Key Additions: Treyaun Webb and Cameron Carroll
Projected Starters: Johnson and Etienne
Getting the 4th RB with the late addition of Carroll was huge. Not much to say here as UF knows what it has in Johnson and Etienne. Webb was highly ranked and played well at the All Star game. Carroll brings a lot of expierence.
Grade: Improved

QB Room:
Key Departures: Anthony Richaardson and Kitna (sort of)
Key Additions: Graham Mertz
Projected Starter: Mertz
I believe it is Mertz job to lose but I also don't believe we got to see what Miller can really do. It's hard to contemplate that you can improve a room while replacing a projected 1st round talent in Richardson. I also understand the NFL and College are two different animals. Case in point, Stetson Bennet will most likely not get drafted by an NFL club. That said, Mertz or Miller will bring skills to the table that Richarson never seemed to master. How well they do that, will determine if UF get better production from the position. Play calling will have to be altered by CBN if these guys are going to be successful as none of us expect these guys to run 90 yards for a TD. So I think you may get QB production but in a much different way than last year. But as of now I see a down grade.
Grade: Worse

Special Teams: I feel confident in Crawshaw as the punter. Trey Smack was highly ranked and should be the kicker. Improved speed and hopefully a bit more emphasis on Special Teams will happen. They have to get better, don't they? I would like to see Wilson or Gates have a chance at returner.
Grade: TBD
Candy

 

No, but he hasn't signed yet .

 

No

 

Yes, could start but will certainly get a lot of snaps

 

I would be ok with that. I like Fraziars game.