We are less than a week away from Florida’s rivalry showdown against the Miami Hurricanes on August 31st. Gator Country compares each position group for both Miami and Florida in an effort to find out who has the stronger roster.
UF’s team talent composite ranking of No.12 ranks sits slightly ahead of Miami’s No.14 ranking, according to 247Sports. Florida has 14 more four stars than Miami and one less five star. While this ranking system does hold some value, it doesn’t tell the full story as it doesn’t account for transfer ratings or experience. For this unit-by-unit comparison, we are going to primarily look at starting lineups and the two-deep depth chart for both defenses.
Defensive line
Miami: Bain, Clark, Barrow Jr., Alston
Florida: Searcy, Jackson, Slackman, Boone
Miami projects to have the better defensive line in 2024. True sophomore Rueben Bain put together a highly productive freshman campaign, totaling 44 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles in 2023. Bain was particularly great at applying pressure, posting a pressure grade of 89.3, the 27th highest in college football last year, according to Pro Football Focus. Bain’s ‘win rate’ of 28.6% on true pass sets is considered elite.
“I think he’s just really unique. Loose-hipped, twitchy power. He’s instinctive,” Billy Napier said on Bain. “I think he played as a rookie; he was physically ready. Comes from a great program there at Central. Had a good fundamental base. He was able to get there midyear and be a factor as a freshman.”
The 6’3, 275-pound edge rusher has all the physical tools and likely projects as a future early round NFL draft pick. Bain is someone Florida will have to neutralize on the football field this Saturday.
The rest of Miami’s two-deep defensive line depth chart is made up almost entirely of transfers, highlighted by Marshall edge transfer Elijah Alston. The 6’2, 256-pound edge rusher had a dominant 2023 season, totaling 11.5 tackles for loss and six sacks, earning All Sun-Belt Conference Third Team for his efforts. Alston ranked as the third best edge rusher in the FBS last season, holding a defensive grade of 91.3 and a pressure grade of 90.3.
On the interior, Miami is projected to start a pair of transfers from NC State (CJ Clark) and Simeon Barrow Jr. (Michigan State), neither of which pop out from an analytical standpoint. However, both Clark and Barrow Jr. are redshirt seniors with plenty of experience and production under their belt.
Miami has the experience and production along their defensive line that Florida just doesn’t have, particularly at the edge position.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Florida ends up being better on the interior, especially if UPenn transfer Joey Slackman turns out to be the real deal. The Gators will need returning interior lineman Cam Jackson and Caleb Banks to take a step forward as well.
Linebacker
Miami: Wesley Bissainthe and Francisco Mauigoa
Florida: Shemar James and Grayson Howard
This is the first time in a few years that I’m feeling fairly confident at linebacker. Although it’s a young group, Florida’s linebacker room has the most talent it’s had since 2015. However, I’m still giving the slight edge to Miami because of Francisco Mauigoa. The 6’3, 230-pound linebacker was all over the field last year for the Canes, totaling a team high 82 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and an interception, earning Second Team All-ACC in 2023. Mauigoa is an instinctive player that has above average explosiveness and excels in run defense.
Grayson Howard was a massive pick up for Florida in the transfer portal. The former Gamecock has had an impressive spring and fall camp, exceling in both run and pass defense while displaying quick sideline to sideline speed. Shemar James returns as one of Florida’s better players and leaders on the Gators’ defense. If Florida’s defensive line can improve at the line of scrimmage, James could be in for a breakout year.
Cornerback
Miami: Daryl Porter Jr. and D’Yoni Hill
Florida: Jason Marshall and Devin Moore
This is where things start to trend in Florida’s direction. There are real concerns about Maimi’s secondary entering the 2024 season. Miami added D’Yoni Hill from Marshall in the transfer portal and returned Daryl Porter Jr. from last season. Porter Jr. had a breakout season last year for the Canes, allowing 12 receptions for 114 yards on 26 targets. He did not allow a touchdown and recorded three pass breakups.
Hill, a transfer from Marshall, had some issues in coverage last season, allowing 34 receptions for 514 yards and three touchdowns on 64 targets. He now has to deal with the speed on Florida’s offense.
It’s no secret that Florida’s Jason Marshall did not have the season he was hoping for in 2023 as the inconsistency really set him back. However, Marshall did show flashes last year, recording three pass break ups and holding quarterbacks to a 44.7 completion percentage when targeted. Marshall has regained his confidence and is looking to bounce back in 2024, and I believe he will under new DB coach Will Harris.
The best ability is availability for junior cornerback Devin Moore, who is simply one of Florida’s better players when he’s on the field. Across five games in 2023, Moore graded as Florida’s best defensive player, allowing just five receptions for 30 yards on 12 targets, according to Pro Football Focus. Moore also recorded an interception and three pass break ups while posting an NFL passer rating against of 42.4, the lowest on the Gators.
I like Florida’s cornerback duo over Miami’s.
Safety
Miami: Isaiah Taylor and Markeith Williams
Florida: Asa Turner and Jordan Castell
The Gators have the better safety room in 2024. Redshirt sophomore Markeith Williams is expected to after recording just 75 snaps last season. Williams was not good in coverage and decent in run support in minimal opportunities. Miami added redshirt junior Arizona transfer Isaiah Taylor, who graded out as one of the Wildcats worst defenders in 2023.
Florida added three senior safeties in the transfer portal including Asa Turner, who has impressed the staff with his leadership and communication on the football field. Turner has battled injuries throughout his career but his healthy and projected to start alongside true sophomore Jordan Castell. Castell gained a ton of experience as a freshman and had some highlights but was frequently put in bad positions due to Florida’s weak defense in 2023. Look for Castell to break out in 2024.
Florida is more talented and far deeper at safety.
Star/Nickel
Miami: Mishael Powell
Florida: Sharif Denson OR Aaron Gates
Miami added Washington DB transfer Mishael Powell, who allowed 50 catches on 67 targets in 2023. Powell also graded as Washington’s 2nd worst tackler, missing 25% of tackles a year ago. Powell does have a nose for the football, though, totaling three interceptions and four pass break ups last season.
Florida is going to play both Sharif Denson and Aaron Gates at star, neither of which have a ton of experience making this hard to project. Both Denson and Gates have had promising offseason and I think Gates could be a dark horse candidate for breakout player of the year, so I’m giving the slight edge to UF at the star position.