Article: Predicting Florida’s Five Most Impactful Transfer Additions In 2024

If those 5 guys have great years we'll be in good shape. Doubly so if the other transfer are at least solid.

 

In the prior Portal years (before Napier), the Gators (for various reasons) did utilize the Portal to their advantage. Now, one year away from the new State of Florida law on the NIL's behind us, it looks like Napier took full advantage of that change when it came to recruiting and the the Portal. We have to wait until the end of next season to give a final assessment on how well UF did with the Portal.

 

The state law on the portal?

 

I’m not sure how I feel about all the portal guys. Are there many there that are going to start and be difference makers or is it mostly just depth in the two deep which still helps but maybe not as beneficial as we would like.

 

I should of said NIL instead of Portal.

I can see how I caused some questions or confusion.

Prior to the beginning of the 2023 season the Florida Legislature remove restrictions on how the coaches in state universities/colleges could discuss the NIL's with current players and recruits.

The prior law just about made it impossible for a state coach to discuss NIL's with players and recruits without breaking the law.

Prior to the change of the law, private groups not affiliated with the state schools made NIL proposals with college athletes. That scenario contributed to the messed up Jadan Rashada signing.

 

with Turner and Howard , it seems CBN solidified our middle D which was much needed. With both of these additions + Roberts coaching, i'm optimistic our D will be light years better than last year

 

All 5 in the article will start and they are an upgrade to what we had on the roster.

 

Yep but upgrade needs to be huge upgrade.

 

Good stuff, all is not doom and gloom. Asa will play a lot even if he doesn't start immediately. But there's some young talent in that room who won't just step aside. He'll have to be a dude to bump Castell out of a job. We'll see. Dike will likely get multiple starts as a possession rec as well. Just spit balling, I could see as many as 5-6 starters out of that group - right off the bat. It's also useful to remember that two of the portal recruits were very high-end true freshman who "portaled in" but are functionally part of the HS class. If we get the meaningful, P4-quality minutes we need out of the depth guys, we should be competitive talent-wise in most of our games. I'm good with that in the here and now. I have no choice.

 

Witness! Good Gators fan.

 

Badger is probably the most promising of the five but not be an upgrade to Pearsall. All Howard needs to do is play disciplined, hit and wrap up ball carriers and play solid zone pass defense when the formation calls for it. That would be a monumental improvement. Crenshaw-Dickson could be average and be an improvement over Damien-George. I want Slackman prove he's good enough to face SEC OL.

 

Asa and Castell will be the starting safeties. He will take Thornton's spot. The rest of the transfers will add good depth and maybe some starts too.

 

Castell is a dude. I expect he'll be a lot stronger and be all SEC. The competition and experience from the transfers and young guys will make him better.

 

I'm a little ambivalent on that one. ASA is a genuine dude with NC game experience and the 'tude that goes with that. But I also like BT as a still very young player with strong upside. I can definitely picture ASA emerging as the starter with BT being next up, though.

 

Yes, all transfers into the secondary are talented and experienced which brings about a lot of competition, and raises the bar for everyone. ASA is 6'3", NC game experience, 30 starts under his belt and brings the thunder, so it will be hard to keep him off the field. If one of the young guns can beat him out, that would only be a good thing.

 

More talent in the room than we've seen in forever. Deciding on the game one starters will be the classic high-quality problem. Things really do seem to be looking up.

 

Add Mertz and Johnson and that list of transfers that need to have a big year, and that list is complete-ish.

 

I hope Slackman can step up and provide depth on the DL. I think he will find it harder than the IVY League. He was bigger than most of the OL's he went up against last year. He won't have that same luxury in the SEC.

 

Joey wrestled for 4 years in high school at 285 lb and was highly ranked. He also wrestled a couple years in college at 285. That wrestling skill set alone will be a big advantage for him.

His PFF score was 90.5, which is number 1 in the SEC by 10 points. Unfortunately, he tore his bicep on the 2nd day of practice, but decided to continue practicing with one arm to get the reps in (tough ass). So, we have yet to see what he can do. He is no small man at 6' 3.5" 305 lb and with his wrestling background fears no one, but should add some quality production to the defensive line.

Also, most NFL hall of fame DT weigh less than 300 lb. Aaron Donald who is the great DT ever is 6'1" 280 lb. Size is over rated at the DT spot.