Florida Camp Report: Florida LBs Look The Part
- Loren Meadows
- Aug 6, 2024
- 3 min read
Pup Howard, Myles Graham and Aaron Chiles are welcome addition’s to Coach Ron Robert’s group.
By Loren Meadows, GatorBaitMedia.com, Football Analyst
Inside Linebackers Coach Ron Roberts (GatorBait photo)
The Florida defense spent the spring revamping its defensive scheme and messaging with the addition of three new coaches. Gerald Chatman and Will Harris joined the Florida staff and bring well needed energy to a unit that was one of the poorest in Florida history. The third addition may be the most important in linebackers coach Ron Roberts, who replaces Jay Bateman after two seasons.
Roberts, the de facto father of the Creeper defense, brings a steady a hand that lacked previously continuity in 2023. His challenge is to maximize the talent in a group of linebackers looking to make their mark.
The Gators return just four linebackers that played meaningful snaps on defense a year ago. Junior linebacker Shemar James was second on the team with 55 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss. Teammate Derek Wingo recorded just 17 tackles on the season while being used in a limited role -- mainly on third downs. Finally, Mannie Nunnery recorded 28 tackles but again was a situational player mainly on passing downs.
With the lack of returning production, the Gators were in desperate need of additional depth at that position. Enter three athletes that will look to make immediate impact as Roberts works to help the defense become relevant again.
Grayson “Pup” Howard comes to Gainesville after spending a year at South Carolina where he finished with 19 tackles, one for loss, and a forced fumble. At 6-4, 238 pounds Howard brings needed athletic ability and size to the defense and looks to be in line to start next to James at inside linebacker.
Myles Graham, is the son of former Florida great Earnest Graham but is poised to make his own way at Florida. A five-star recruit in 2024, Graham is close to 230 pounds and has the athleticism to play the run as well as be effective in pass coverage. Coachable and extremely humble, Graham’s attitude has endeared him to teammates and coaches alike and that should afford him ample minutes behind Howard and James.
Lastly Aaron Chiles, the MaxPreps Maryland Player of the Year from Good Counsel High School, one of the state's most dominant programs. Chiles, a summer enrollee, has wowed teammates and coaches alike with his weight room numbers and diligent work ethic. Chiles has a college-ready frame and looks to have the instincts to match. Edge rusher Justus Boone was quick to single out Chiles as someone who had been impressive in the offseason prior to fall camp.
Roberts is big on fundamentals. He expects every player to be what Coach Billy Napier calls a "4D" player. Which means not just knowing your job, but the job of the man beside you as well.
“Our players are good enough,” Roberts has stated. Which means that he is confident he has what he needs in that linebacker room to get it done. The Gators were not great when tackling in space last season. Roberts will look to improve that with a unit that has added the necessary tools to be better. When you combine the experience of James and Wingo with the potential of Howard, Graham, and Wingo there is a lot to be excited about.
What a fine article to open tonight. It’s been a very long time since we’ve had this much talent, size and depth at these linebacker positions. Another to note is Jaden Robinson. Add super-senior RJ Moten who has a long history as a safety. Ron Roberts has well established his reputation for getting the max from his defenders. Shemar, Pup, Wingo, Chiles and Myles are four big reasons to feel much better about this Gator “D”. Thanks, Loren!