DBs & LINEBACKERS: It’s A Promising Lot If They Can Deliver On Their Promises
Linebackers are possibly the most experienced unit on the team. Many are looking to see what this group will bring to the defense.
By LOREN MEADOWS
GatorBait Media.com Football Analyst
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Excitement surrounds the Florida defensive backs due to an influx of young talent along with the return of a solid veteran presence. Cornerbacks Coach Corey Raymond, thought by many to be the foremost authority on cornerback play at the college level, has infused confidence and swagger in the group. The top cornerbacks are a group of four underclassmen who look to establish themselves in the SEC. The safeties, coached by Co-Defensive Coordinator Patrick Toney, will be the key to the veil that disguises the “CREEPER” defense. There has been positive feedback from the top players in this group, with Trey Dean calling the defense “breathtaking.” The defense is built on chaotic simplicity cohesively creates problems for the opponents passing game.
Corners
Players to watch: #3 Jason Marshall Jr. (So.), #23 Jaydon Hill (R-Jr.), #24 Avery Helm (R-So.), #8 Jalen Kimber (R-So.)
Jason Marshall Jr. -- Marshall could be on his way to becoming another dynamic cornerback at Florida. Marshall possesses excellent ball skills and is very physical at the line of scrimmage. The challenge for him will be his ability to handle the top receiver of Florida’s opponents on a week-to-week basis.
Jaydon Hill -- Hill was poised to have a solid 2021 campaign before an ACL injury ended his season in 2021 fall camp. He amassed 25 tackles and 10 passes defended in 22 career games. If he can remain healthy and focused both on and off the field, he will be a solid addition to the cornerback rotation as a starter or key contributor.
Avery Helm -- Helm started at defensive back in 9 of 11 games for the Gators. His experience against some of the nation’s elite pass catchers should allow for continued growth under Coach Corey Raymond. Standing 6-1, Helm has a long frame which should allow him to hold up against some of the taller receivers the Gators will face in the coming season.
Jalen Kimber -- Georgia transfer Jalen Kimber brings loads of potential to the cornerback room. The former four-star prospect from Mansfield, Texas was a prospective starter at cornerback before a shoulder injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Kimber has been limited during spring practice but has worked with the top half of the rotation when practicing. Look for him to push both Hill and Helm for snaps when healthy.
Safeties
Players to Watch: #0 Trey Dean III (5th), #22 Rashad Torrence (Jr.), #16 Tre’Vez Johnson (Jr.), #5 Kamari Wilson (Fr.)
Trey Dean III -- Dean returns for his 5th year in the Florida secondary. Dean has played corner, STAR (nickel), and safety during his time in Gainesville. This versatility and ability to adjust makes Dean as the unquestioned leader of the unit. Dean will look to improve on his open field tackling and ball hawking skills while leading a group of safeties looking to take the next step.
Rashad Torrence -- Starting at safety in all 13 games of 2021, Rashad Torrence should be the perfect running mate for Dean in the Florida secondary. Torrence has recorded 111 total tackles along with 3 interceptions. He will look to improve on those numbers as safeties Coach Patrick Toney simplifies the schemes, allowing Torrence and others to play faster. Torrence is a big hitter who will need to become a surer tackler on every down.
Tre’Vez Johnson -- Mainly playing STAR, Tre’Vez Johnson will be asked to be the jack of all trades of the Florida defense. Johnson will be asked to become a more consistent tackler while covering the slot receiver and tight ends. Johnson struggled at times with some of the faster receivers Florida faced. However, with a simplified system the junior, who has appeared in 22 total games and should be much improved in 2022.
Kamari Wilson -- A 5-star recruit, Kamari Wilson arrived at Florida as a top 3 safety and consensus top 5 recruit. While limited in the spring, Wilson showed flashes in the last couple practices that warranted mention as a possible contributor. It wasn’t known how much Wilson would play in the Orange and Blue Game so it will be interesting to monitor his development through the summer and fall.
Others To Watch: #13 Donovan McMillon (So.), #26 Kamar Wilcoxson (R-So.), #32 Mordecai McDaniel (Jr.), #20 Corey Collier Jr. (R-Fr.)
Turnovers, turnovers, and more turnovers. The Florida defensive backs will be tasked with taking the ball away on a consistent basis as the look to restore “DBU” in Gainesville.
LINEBACKERS
Possibly the most experienced unit on the team. Many are looking to see what this group will bring to the defense. The return of stalwart Ventrell Miller gives Toney’s defense a leader who is a tackling machine. Outside linebacker Brenton Cox Jr. wants to break the Florida single season sack record (13). Linebacker Coaches Jay Bateman (inside) and former Florida great Mike Peterson (outside) have been positive about the way this group has played. Their ability to handle coaching and adjust to a new system has been has been lauded. The challenge will be to get them to consistently play hard, line up correctly and be a better tackling unit in 2022.
Inside Linebackers
Players to Watch: #51 Ventrell Miller (6th), #2 Amari Burney(5th), #15 Derek Wingo (Jr.), #30 Diwun Black (Sr.)
Ventrell Miller -- The most experienced player in the group, Miller has appeared in 38 games over the course of his Florida career. His 2021 campaign was cut short due to injury and Miller said “I didn’t feel right leaving without having a good year to finish out.” A two-time SEC Defensive Player Of The Week, Miller could become an All-SEC performer if he can maintain his health and improve his playmaking -- particularly against the pass.
Amari Burney -- Burney is a versatile 5th year player who has also spent time at STAR and safety while at Florida. Burney will look to improve in getting off blocks and becoming a more consistent every down linebacker. Burney expects his fellow linebackers to be “aggressive,” which should allow the versatile Burney to showcase his ability.
Derek Wingo -- Many will look to Wingo to reach the potential that made him one of the top recruits of the 2020 recruiting class. Wingo has been thought by many to have been underused by the last coaching staff. It will be interesting to see how Bateman and Toney utilize the charismatic linebacker. Wingo brings a championship pedigree to the linebacker room which should only bolster this experienced unit.
Diwun Black -- No player has excited fans of on the defensive side of the ball than Diwun Black. Reports of phenomenal athleticism and speed have been a daily occurrence regarding the JUCO transfer. While Black spent time at STAR last season, he did appear in 10 games. Black will certainly be called upon to provide energy to the defense, possibly in a situational role as a third down linebacker. However, if the rumors are true he could also be in the mix even more frequently.
Others To Watch: #17 Scooby Williams (R-Fr.)
Outside Linebackers
Players to Watch: #1 Brenton Cox Jr. (R-Sr.), #52 Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr. (R-So.), #4 David Reese (R-Sr.), #36 Chief Borders (R-Fr.)
Brenton Cox Jr. -- Cox took the time to look up the stats at bio of his position coach, Mike Peterson. What he found was a football player who played extremely hard on every snap. Peterson has challenged Cox to do the same. No one questions the ability of the former 5 -star recruit, will he be motivated every time he takes the field? Brenton Cox has his sights set on the sack record of former Gator Alex Brown. Motivation enough.
Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr. -- A quick first step is what Powell-Ryland Jr. initially brings to the table. Next is the ability to accept his role and the coaching that goes along with it. Powell-Ryland should provide depth at the outside linebacker position, particularly on passing downs.
David Reese -- In four years at Florida we have yet to see the best of David Reese. The oft-injured 5th year-senior could be called upon to provide depth at the outside linebacker position. Reese came to Florida as another versatile player with the ability to line up at many positions of the defense. The Orange and Blue Game could provide insight to what his role could be going forward.
Chief Borders -- The former 4-star recruit is on his way to getting the most out of his time. The initial Danny Wuerffel Man of the Month, Borders has not only potential as a football player but is clearly a leader on and off the field. Borders brings a long 6-4, 230-pound to the table. This should allow him to be effective holding the edge and as a pass rusher.
Others To Watch: #99 Lloyd Summerall (R-Jr.)
The Gator front seven was much maligned during the 2021 season. This group more than any needs to show that they are capable of playing winning SEC football on a week to week basis. Playing hard, lining up correctly, and tackling must be the norm. It was once said, “you don’t practice defense, you play defense.” Well there it is.
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