Article: Post-fall Camp Projected Depth Chart -- Defense

Some surprises there... thought Pyburn would start on one side or the other on the D-line.

Mitchell over Wingo at linebacker is interesting to me.

Devin Moore and Jalen Kimber is going down to the wire for opposite of Jason Marshall at DB.

The Safeties are both experienced with might help a ton there with R.J. Moten and Miguel Mitchell... with Kamari Wilson looking to play a ton at safety too.

All these guys will get their chance and I expect some of these predicted starters to change at one point in the season. We all know how that goes.

 

First time in a while I feel good about our defense. I know we lost a couple of leaders at linebacker, but these guys could be better players. I guess we'll soon see.

Man... I just watched two episodes of the New Swamp Special. That's the kind of defense we need again. Siler, Spikes and company. These guys might could get there. I sure hope so.

Go Gators.

 

What is the word on DT Jamari Lyons? As a redshirt freshman at 6'4"/305, I'd have thought he would be at least on the 3 deep depth chart.

Chris McClellan seems like the real deal projected to start in his second season. At 6'3"/320, he will be a force to deal with by the opposing offensive lines. Chris' stats from 2022 were similar to what Walter Nolan put up at aTm except Nolan started 4 games. In his second year, Nolan is 6'4"/290. I remember how much UF wanted him in the 22 class as well.

 

He was a great get at the time and it now looks like he's ready to contribute more to the defense... So glad we stole him from Oklahoma.

 

Sounding more and more like Castell might start.
Nice to know we have a couple options back there.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound safety has routinely worked with Florida's first-team unit in the lead-up to its season opener against No. 14 Utah in Salt Lake City,
according to multiple sources, and appears poised to contribute highly in his first year with the program, at a minimum.

"Jordan is a really smart player," Napier said. "He's instinctive. I think Jordan has always been -- you go to Jordan's school, I think he's well-respected there.
His character, he's a good teammate, and he was a leader on his team. Jordan has been a worker. He's in the building. He's doing extra meetings. He's trying
to get up to speed."

 

Okay, I've watched Swamp Kings twice now. I've read everything I can possibly read about the Gators. I've consumed every video on YouTube, every Podcast on youtube, including the announcer sounding guy from Utah- High-top Sports, GC, Ali, On3 the whole bloody lot; exhausting. I still haven't found anything that said we won yet, or that victory is certain.

So...now that I've overloaded my brain with tons of statistical data, tons of opinions, I find myself grounded in my usual late-summer hyper-optimism.

I just want someone to win at this point so I can stop buying lotto tickets!! Seems oddly germain.

It's hard to type being strapped in a straight-jacket, but I'm actually feeling pretty good, ya know, the ole Malscott positivity thing.

Things to consider:

• If Mertz is consistent there truly is hope.
• If the O-line is good, (Almost as good as last year) Mertz will be better and the Rb's will rein supreme.
• If the Gator defensive line is better and can bring pressure, there is hope.
• If the linebackers are good we might be loving life.
• If our new Defensive Coordinator can ramp up the troops and scheme well, there is hope.
• If a few of our new kids can step it up on offense/defense, there is hope.

Lotta 'if's', I know. I'm hoping for 8 wins and maybe even a big surprise win for added bonus.

May the Good Lord shine down on the Gators...

In the meantime, I'll be watching everything I can up until kickoff.

There is a shift formulating in the universe. A harmonic convergence of sorts, a massive unseen chorus increases in volume (Ahhhhhhhhh...) The Gator Logo appears from the fog in blinding white light,

Go Gators.