Picture Credit score: GatorsFB on Twitter
With simply 72 hours till kickoff of the 2023 season, the Florida Gators on Wednesday launched their first official depth chart for Yr 2 below head coach Billy Napier. With the No. 14 Utah Utes awaiting on Thursday night time, the Gators didn’t have many surprises on the depth chart.
As anticipated, redshirt junior Graham Mertz was double confirmed because the beginning quarterback. Junior Montrell Johnson Jr. technically stays forward of sophomore Trevor Etienne on the working again depth chart, although that in the end doesn’t imply a lot given how regularly each will likely be utilized.
Maybe most notable is the shortage of “OR” designations on offense. Nonetheless, there are 13 whole with the overwhelming majority approaching the defensive facet. Florida opened the season with solely six “OR” designations every of the final two years, so this can be a harkening again to the 15 such labels on the 2019 depth chart.
Let’s check out the depth chart forward of the Gators’ first sport of the season.
* On harm report | ^ Not outlined
Offense
QB: Graham Mertz, Jack Miller III*, Max Brown, Micah Leon
RB: Montrell Johnson Jr., Trevor Etienne, Treyaun Webb
TE: Dante Zanders, Hayden Hansen, Jonathan Odom
TE: Tony Livingston, Jonathan Odom, Arlis Boardingham
WR: Ricky Pearsall, Eugene Wilson III, Aidan Mizell
WR: Caleb Douglas, Marcus Burke, Andy Jean
WR: Kahleil Jackson, Ja’Quavion Fraziars, Taylor Spierto
LT: Austin Barber, Jordan Herman OR Bryce Lovett
LG: Richie Leonard IV, Knijeah Harris, Christian Williams
C: Kingsley Eguakun*, Jake Slaughter, Knijeah Harris
RG: Micah Mazzccua, Knijeah Harris, Jalen Farmer
RT: Damieon George Jr., Lyndell Hudson II, Bryce Lovett^
With Eguakun injured, Slaughter has received the backup middle job and would begin in his place if obligatory. Napier has curiously break up the tight finish place with Livingston, who was not anticipated to issue as greater than depth, incomes the nod atop his class. Jackson, a walk-on, has surprisingly earned a beginning job (no less than for Week 1). Equally stunning is Jean as a third-time receiver.
Protection
F: Tyreak Sapp, Jack Pyburn OR Kamran James OR Kelby Collins
NT: Cam Jackson, Desmond Watson, Jamari Lyons
DE: Caleb Banks OR Chris McClellan*, Will Norman
JACK: Princely Umanmielen, T.J. Searcy OR Jack Pyburn
LB: Scooby Williams OR Teradja Mitchell OR Derek Wingo
LB: Shemar James, Mannie Nunnery OR Jaden Robinson
SAM: Scooby Williams, Mannie Nunnery, Ja’Markis Weston
CB: Jason Marshall Jr., Ja’Keem Jackson OR Aaron Gates
CB: Jalen Kimber OR Devin Moore, Dijon Johnson
STAR: Jaydon Hill OR Jadarrius Perkins, Sharif Denson
S: Miguel Mitchell, Kamari Wilson OR Bryce Thornton
S: Jordan Castell, R.J. Moten OR Bryce Thornton
It was anticipated that Hill or Perkins and Kimber or Moore would emerge as starters at their respective positions, but it surely seems Napier remains to be deciding on each roles. Castell, who most believed was recruited as a cornerback, will begin as a real freshman. It is a significantly a shock given expectations that Wilson, who flashed in 2022, or Moten, who transferred into this system, would begin at security.
Particular groups
KO: Trey Smack, Adam Mihalek
PK: Adam Mihalek, Trey Smack
P: Jeremy Crawshaw, Jacob Watkins
H: Jeremy Crawshaw, Jacob Watkins
LS: Rocco Underwood, Gannon Burt
KR: Trevor Etienne, Jason Marshall Jr., Montrell Johnson Jr., Eugene Wilson III
PR: Ricky Pearsall, Eugene Wilson III
The kickers have been beforehand given an “OR” designation as they break up kickoff and discipline aim duties. Napier has as a substitute determined to separate the place on the depth chart. Each returners are beginning offensive playmakers, and 4 of the six returning positions are starters.
