Sizing Up Florida Gators Spring Football: Lots of Talent, but It's Young
Kyle Trask was considered a project who would eventually transfer to a D1AA school when he came to the University of Florida in 2015. By the time he finished his Florida career, Trask was a towering presence who was a Heisman Trophy finalist and the ultimate example of what happens when there is a confluence of work ethic, patience, development and coaching.
Although the next chapter of the Trask story will be told in the National Football League, it is still relevant to the Florida Gators. When Feleipe Franks went down with an horrendous ankle injury in game three of the 2019 season, Trask stepped in unknown to anyone who hadn’t been watching practice the previous three years. From that fourth quarter comeback against Kentucky until his amazing performance when he torched mighty Alabama for 408 yards and three touchdown passes, Trask was the poster child for Dan Mullen’s offense and his ability to turn unknown talents into quarterbacking stars.
Trask is only one key Gator gone from the 2020 team that spent almost the entire year ranked among the top six or seven teams in the country, yet it is his departure in particular that has all the people who do these way-too-early polls to predict the Gators will fall back to chasing Georgia in the SEC East. What most of these prognosticators fail to take into account is the way Mullen has rebuilt the roster since he took over at Florida in December of 2017.
Mullen inherited a roster with far too many holes but through three years he’s won 29 games. Only Urban Meyer (31 from 2005-07) won more in his first three seasons in Gainesville. In addition to winning, Mullen has plugged all the holes to the point that from top to bottom this is the kind of roster it takes to contend in the SEC. With the benefit of a spring practice and an offseason strength and conditioning program that were both cancelled last year because of the nationwide Covid-19 shutdown, this should be a good enough team to not only challenge Georgia but win a second consecutive SEC East championship.
With spring practice a month away, here is a look at the 2021 roster as it stands today complete with a position-by-position breakdown.
(Anyone on a Division I roster in 2020 got an extra year of eligibility per an NCAA ruling)
* Denotes walk-on
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACKS (4):
Emory Jones (6-2, 210, 4th-year SO); Anthony Richardson (6-4, 235, 2nd-year FR); Carlos Del-Rio Wilson (6-3, 215, FR); Jalen Kitna (6-4, 200, FR)
Springing forward: We know that Emory Jones can run the ball. He has the speed and elusiveness to find open space and turn a loss into a big gain. The question is can he throw the ball well enough to make opposing safeties back off the line? We’ve seen Jones make some very good throws in the past, but can he do it on a consistent basis? It would be a shock if he isn’t the opening day starter in 2021. That doesn’t mean Anthony Richardson won’t be a factor. He will get his share of reps both in practice and in games.
Future star: Anthony Richardson has the size, the speed and a cannon for an arm. He will start the 2021 season apprenticing under Emory Jones, but make no mistake about it, he’s the future of the program. Mullen will make sure that Richardson gets snaps in every game in non-mop up situations to get him ready for the day when he takes over as THE guy.
One to watch: Jalen Kitna is the son of former NFL quarterback Jon Kitna. He’s still filling out and will need a couple of years to develop his body. He was highly underrated coming out of high school, but people who have seen him play say he can make every throw.
RUNNING BACKS (5):
Malik Davis (5-10, 205, 5th-year JR); Dameon Pierce (5-10, 215, 4th-year JR); Lorenzo Lingard (6-0, 203, 4th-year SO); Nay’Quan Wright (5-9, 195, 3rd-year FR); Demarkcus Bowman (5-11, 195, 2nd-year SO)
Springing forward: This will be Dameon Pierce’s fourth year in the system and finally he will get 10-15 carries per game. He can move the pile and he has a surprising burst of speed once he finds open space. Demarkcus Bowman didn’t transfer from Clemson to sit. He’s going to play from day one and at least share the carries with Pierce. Bowman is electric and has the ability to go the distance every time he touches the ball. The running backs room will be crowded but Mullen is a creative coach who will find ways to get all five of his backs on the field in some productive manner. Malik Davis may have found his niche as the third down back.
Future star: Nay’Quan Wright has a similar shake-and-bake of the now departed Kadarius Toney. He proved last season that he can catch the ball. Given Mullen’s penchant for offensive creativity, look for Mullen to put Wright in the slot and use him both in the running and passing game the way he used Percy back when.
One to watch: Lorenzo Lingard had virus issues and then a high ankle sprain to deal with so his playing time was quite limited in 2020. He has way too much speed and ability to waste away on the bench. If he’s healthy he will be a factor, whether at running back or in the slot.
WIDE RECEIVERS (10):
Rick Wells (6-1, 202, 6th-year SR); Jordan Pouncey (6-1, 212, 5th-year JR); Jacob Copeland (6-0, 203; 4th-year SO); Justin Shorter (6-5, 225, 4th-year SO); Trent Whittemore (6-4, 208, 3rd-year FR); Ja’Markis Weston (6-3, 215, 3rd-year FR); Xzavier Henderson (6-4, 191, 2nd-year FR); Ja’Quavion Fraziars (6-3, 211, 2nd-year FR); Daejon Reynolds (6-2, 210; FR); Markus Burke (6-3, 180, FR)
Springing forward: The two names that jump off the page at you are Jacob Copeland and Justin Shorter. Both of them have all the physical attributes to be stars in the SEC but they both have to solve problems with the dropsies. If they can catch the ball, they’ll both have huge years because they are physical and fast enough to stretch a defense. Trent Whittemore and Xzavier Henderson are going to be on the field and they’re both going to see the football. Rick Wells surprised at the end of last season. Will it carry over? Ja’Markis Weston and Ja’Quavion Fraziers have too much talent to sit. They need to come to spring practice ready to contribute.
Future star: We saw glimpses of what Xzavier Henderson could do as a true freshman last year. He spent the year learning how to run disciplined routes and how to be an effective downfield blocker. You don’t get on the field a lot if you can’t do those two things to the satisfaction of Billy Gonzales. Henderson has the size to go with the speed to be a consistent deep threat that will scare the bejabbers out of every defensive coordinator in the SEC.
One to watch: Before he was injured last year, Trent Whittemore was becoming a vital part of the offense. He’s got size, great hands and is deceptively fast. He’s not afraid to go across the middle and he’s a willing, effective blocker. He reminds a lot of people of Chris Doering.
TIGHT ENDS (6):
Kemore Gamble (6-4, 248, 5th-year JR); Keon Zipperer (6-2, 240, 3rd-year SO); Jonathan Odom (6-5, 238; 2nd-year FR); Arik Gilbert (6-5, 253, 2nd-year SO); Nick Elksnis (6-6, 230, FR); Gage Wilcox (6-4, 228, FR)
Springing forward: When Kyle Pitts was injured on a vicious targeting hit against Georgia, Kemore Gamble and Keon Zipperer stepped up and played well. Both of them have ability but consistency has eluded them so far. Gamble is a very good blocker who sometimes drops the football. Zipperer has sure hands but he hasn’t exactly set the world on fire as a blocker. Jonathan Odom was buried on the depth chart last year so this spring is critical for him. Nick Elksnis is an intriguing prospect with star potential.
Future star: After a rather productive freshman year at LSU, Arik Gilbert surprisingly entered the transfer portal where he chose Florida with the express intent of becoming the next Kyle Pitts. He has the combination of size, speed and athletic ability to pick up where Pitts left off but we won’t see it until the fall. Gilbert doesn’t arrive on campus until May.
One to watch: Nick Elksnis was coached in high school by former NFL QB Marc Brunell so he arrives with a keen understanding of route discipline. He’s not going to be a traditional tight end but one who flexes out, plays the slot and is used as a motion guy. Once he learns how to block he could be a big star.
LINEMEN (16):
Stewart Reese (6-6, 350, 6th-year SR); Jean Delance (6-3, 316, 6th-year SR); T.J. Moore (6-5, 300, 5th-year JR); Richard Gouraige (6-5, 316; 4th-year SO); Griffin McDowell (6-5, 300, 4th-year SO); Ethan White (6-5, 335, 3rd-year SO); Riley Simonds (6-3, 303, 3rd-year FR); Kingsley Eguakun (6-3, 322, 3rd-year FR); Michael Tarquin (6-5, 312, 3rd-year FR); Will Harrod (6-5, 330, 3rd-year FR); Josh Braun (6-6, 340, 2nd-year FR); Gerald Mincey (6-6, 337, 2nd-year FR); Richie Leonard (6-2, 347, 2nd-year FR); Yousef Mubharbil (6-5, 330, FR); Austin Barber (6-7, 300, FR); Jake Slaughter (6-4, 300, FR)
Springing forward: Stone Forsythe and Brett Heggie have graduated leaving John Hevesy with three starters from last season in Stewart Reese, John Delance and Richard Gouraige. Gouraige will move from left guard to left tackle. If Reese has a good spring and summer conditioning so that his weight is less than 350 he could start at right tackle. Delance has had two inconsistent seasons at right tackle. Could he move inside where he’s a better run blocker with Reese moving outside? Josh Braun can play either guard positions as can Ethan White. White was being groomed to play center before he was injured last year. He could take over at center or could play guard. White to guard would likely mean Kingsley Eguakan takes over at center. Here is how we probably start the spring – Gouraige LT, Braun LG, White C, Reese RG, Delance RT. By the time spring is over, the line could look like this: Gouraige LT, White LG, Eguakan C, Braun RG and Reese RT.
Future star: Josh Braun played in all 12 games as a true freshman and got one start, showing plenty of potential along the way. He’s probably going to stay inside at guard although he’s mobile enough to play right tackle. He’s big, strong and has a mean streak, which is a real plus for an interior lineman.
One to watch: Ethan White spent 2019 dropping some serious tonnage (came to UF at 400). The leaner, meaner (335 pounds) version was set to have a huge 2020 whether at center or guard when he suffered a knee injury that curtailed his development. If he’s healthy, he will be on the field and could play center, both guard positions or right tackle.
DEFENSE
LINEMEN (14):
Antonio Shelton (6-2, 327, 6th-year SR); DaQuan Newkirk (6-3, 317, 5th-year SR); Dylan Meeks (6-2, 250, 5th-year SR); Zachary Carter (6-4, 290, 5th-year JR); Dante Lang (6-5, 287, 4th-year SO); Jaelin Humphries (6-3, 325, 3rd-year SO); Gervon Dexter (6-6, 307, 2nd-year FR); Princely Umanmielen (6-4, 255, 2nd-year FR); Lamar Goods (6-2, 335, 2nd-year FR); Jalen Lee (6-2, 315, 2nd-year FR); Desmond Watson (6-5, 380, FR); Justus Boone (6-5, 250, FR); Tyreak Sapp (6-3, 255, FR); Christopher Thomas (6-6, 300, FR)
Springing forward: After a disappointing 2020 in which the Gators had all sorts of problems stopping the run, the D-line will be retooled with transfers Antonio Shelton (Penn State) and DaQuan Newkirk (Auburn) providing experienced anchors with size and mobility at the tackles. Shelton will play the nose where he’s shown the ability to collapse the pocket. Newkirk is stout against the run. Zachary Carter’s decision to return for a fifth year was huge. He has 9.5 sacks the last two years and he can play both inside and outside. Gervon Dexter will play both inside and outside and he could be a dominator if he has a good spring and offseason. Dante Lang will be given a chance to be an edge rusher as will Princely Umanmielen and freshman Tyreak Sapp. The Gators picked up a monster of an inside guy when they signed Desmond Watson. If they get him down to a biscuit or two short of 350, he could plug two gaps in the middle of the line.
Future star: Gervon Dexter had a typical year for a true freshman. He could make a brilliant play then disappear the next snap. He is that freakish combination of size and quickness that should enable him to become a terror whether it’s on the inside or the outside. His rise to stardom will be quick once he harnesses all that ability and becomes consistent.
One to watch: Dante Lang came to Florida as a tight end, but he outgrew the position and moved over to defensive end. As a high school junior, he registered 20 sacks. After moving over from tight end last year, he played in 11 games, showing plenty of potential. Can he become that big, mobile defensive end that commands and consistently splits double teams?
LINEBACKERS (16):
Jeremiah Moon (6-5, 250, 6th-year SR); Ventrell Miller (6-1, 230, 5th-year JR); Amari Burney (6-2, 230, 4th-year JR); Brenton Cox Jr. (6-3, 250, 4th-year SO; David Reese (6-2, 241, 4th-year SO); Andrew Chatfield Jr. (6-2, 248, 4th-year SO); Khris Bogle (6-4, 240, 3rd-year SO); Mohamoud Diabate (6-3, 221, 3rd-year SO); Diwun Black (6-4, 225, 3rd-year SO); * Noah Keeter (6-6, 240, 3rd-year SO); Ty’Ron Hopper (6-2, 225, 3rd-year FR); Lloyd Summerall III (6-6, 236, 3rd-year FR); Derek Wingo (6-1, 233, 2nd-year FR); Antwaun Powell (6-3, 260, 2nd-year FR); Chief Borders (6-5, 242, FR); Jeremiah Williams (6-3, 230, FR)
Springing forward: There is so much talent and athleticism for this group that you wonder why they didn’t have a better 2020? Twelve of the 16 linebackers on the projected 2021 roster will be in their third year in the system, so there won’t be any excuses if they aren’t measurably more productive and able to put people on the ground instead of giving up three, four and five extra yards. Jeremiah Moon is returning after an injury-plagued 2020. He was expected to be an All-SEC caliber performer last year but injuries limited him to four games. His maturity and that of Ventrell Miller and Amari Burney should make this unit better. There is plenty of speed to get to the quarterback with Moon, Brenton Cox Jr., Khris Bogle and Andrew Chatfield but can they cover anyone out of the backfield? On the inside, Miller and Mohamoud Diabate have to get better at hitting people and putting them on the ground. Can Diwun Black be the answer? Lloyd Summerall III, Antwaun Powell and true freshman Chief Borders could grow into D-linemen.
Future star: Brenton Cox Jr. spent 2020 fighting through double and triple teams on every snap yet he still had 4.0 sacks and 18 quarterback hurries. If the Gators can get any consistent pass rush from the other side of the line, then Cox could have an All-SEC or even an All-America type of season. If he learned anything in 2020 it was to get physically stronger to win the hand fighting because opponents are going to use everything they can to slow him down off the edge.
One to watch: Diwun Black won’t be here in the spring as he finishes up his academic work in junior college but he has the athletic ability and football instincts to have an immediate impact. He will be behind since he won’t have spring to learn the system and get the kind of conditioning and strength program that he didn’t have in juco. Can he make up for lost time in the summer months? If he’s game ready in August he can become Florida’s best middle linebacker since Brandon Spikes.
SECONDARY (16):
Trey Dean III (6-3, 200, 4th-year JR); Kaiir Elam (6-2, 193, 3rd-year SO); Jaydon Hill (6-0, 185, 2nd-year SO); Tre’Vez Johnson (5-11, 196, 2nd-year FR); Ethan Pouncey (6-1, 170, 2nd-year FR); Rashad Torrence II (6-0, 205, 2nd-year FR); Avery Helm (6-1, 170, 2nd-year SO); Kamar Wilcoxson (6-1, 183, 2nd-year FR); Jahari Rogers (5-11, 185, 2nd-year FR); Mordecai McDaniel (6-1, 207, 2nd-year FR); Fenley Graham (5-9, 174, 2nd-year FR); Jason Marshall (6-2, 180, FR); Corey Collier (6-2, 175, FR); Donovan McMillon (6-2, 193, FR); Jordan Young (6-0, 185, FR); Dakota Mitchell (6-0, 185, FR)
Springing forward: Have you ever watched a clip of those old movies featuring the Keystone Cops? Total chaos. That’s what Florida’s secondary resembled last year. Blown coverages. Bad tackling. Confusion. That was the norm. How many of the problems were caused by a lack of spring practice and how much should be on the shoulders of the coaches? Mullen and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham addressed the coaching by dismissing last year’s secondary coaches, replacing them with Wesley McGriff (corners, formerly Auburn) and Jules Montinar (safeties, formerly USF). Will improved coaching turn this unit around? Safety Tre Dean III, Kaiir Elam and Jaydon Hill are the only players with multi-year experience so the Gators are going to be quite young, but there is no lack of speed and athleticism. Can they cover? Will they be able to tackle? Those are questions that will have to be answered. Fortunately, only two of the 16 corners and safeties will miss the spring. Heading into spring practice, the unit could look like this: Elam and freshman Jason Marshall at the corners, Dean and freshman Corey Collier at safety, Hill as the nickel corner and Rashad Torrence as the extra safety. If he’s healthy, Fenley Graham has the potential to be Florida’s most lethal returner since the days of Brandon James.
Future star: Kaiir Elam emerged as the star in Florida’s secondary last year when he picked off two passes and had 11 pass breakups. His size and speed should make him an early rounder for the NFL Draft if he can put together a more consistent 2021. He has the ball skills but has to become a surer tackler and can’t have communication lapses when no one knows who’s covering who. If he can get past those problems he will be All-SEC and could make All-America.
One to watch: Jason Marshall enrolled early with the intention of starting as a true freshman. Rated five stars, Marshall was the No. 2 corner in the country at Miami Palmetto. He has track speed and a nose for the football. He and Elamn would make for a serious tandem at the corners.
SPECIAL TEAMS
PUNTER (1): Jeremy Crashaw (6-4, 190, 2nd-year FR)
PLACEKICKER (1): * Jace Christmann (6-0, 195, 5th-year SR)
LONG SNAPPER (1): Rocco Underwood (6-4, 225, FR)
Springing forward: The Gators were exceptional on special teams last year but placekicker Evan McPherson surprised by declaring early for the NFL and punter Jacob Finn entered the transfer portal. The replacement kicker is Jace Christmann, who hit 12-14 field goals for Mullen at Mississippi State in 2017 and 32-42 for his time in Starkville. The new punter will be Australian Jeremy Crashaw, whose booming punts in practice and two cannon shots in the Cotton Bowl were enough to convince Finn to transfer out. Rocco Underwood was generally considered the top long snapper in the country in high school, which is why he’s on scholarship at UF.
Future star: By the time he’s finished at UF, Crashaw could have a career that rivals Ray Guy Award winner Chas Henry, who would hear Urban Meyer say, “Make it wet!” when he would take the field.
One to watch: Christmann was injured and played in only three games at Mississippi State in 2020. If he’s healthy, then he gives the Gators an experienced kicker although he lacks McPherson’s overall range. If he’s good from 50 yards on in, Mullen can live with that.
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