Senior cornerback Jason Marshall suffered an apparent shoulder injury during Florida’s week eight win over Kentucky, which would end his 2024 campaign. Marshall was in the middle of a terrific season, allowing just 9 receptions for 115 yards on 18 targets while leading the Gators’ defense with three pass break ups. 45 of the 115 yards came on one play vs Kentucky, a flea flicker. The 6’1, 205-pound cornerback led Florida in snaps through seven games and was playing as well as anyone on Florida’s defense.
With Florida now out two of their top three cornerbacks entering the season in Jason Marshall and Ja’Keem Jackson, the Gators will need to rely on less experienced defensive backs for valuable snaps against No.2 Georgia on Saturday.
Starter: Devin Moore
Junior cornerback Devin Moore will remain a starter, but it’s more critical than ever that he stays healthy given the current state of the cornerback room. Moore has allowed six receptions for 93 yards and two touchdowns on 12 targets, holding quarterbacks to an NFL passer rating against of 80.9, the third lowest in Florida’s secondary.
Starter: Dijon Johnson
Sophomore cornerback Dijon Johnson is the leading candidate to take over for Marshall. In 91 coverage snaps this season, Johnson has allowed just three receptions for 15 yards on five targets, grading as Florida’s best defender in coverage. The 6’1, 200-pound cornerback ranks as the 53rd overall cornerback in the FBS, per Pro Football Focus.
Who’s next?
This is where things get tricky for the Gators. Out of Florida’s remaining outside cornerbacks, only two have appeared in a game this season, combining for just 39 snaps. Those two guys are sophomore Cormani McClain and freshman Teddy Foster.
McClain appeared in his first game as a Gator in week eight vs Kentucky, where he was simply spectacular. The Colorado transfer allowed no receptions on three targets while recording a pass break up and a pick six. Head coach Billy Napier said on Wednesday that McClain played with some confidence in practice this week, but that he has a way to go regarding learning the defense.
Florida also has freshman cornerback Jameer Grimsley, a highly touted recruit out of Tampa who originally signed with Nick Saban and Alabama before transferring. However, Grimsley hasn’t played in a game this season, so I wouldn’t expect him to leap into a huge role. Because Grimsley hasn’t played in a game this season, he could play in four of Florida’s five remaining games and still redshirt.
What is more likely than Grimsley, McClain, or Foster stepping into the CB3 role, is one of either nickel corner Sharif Denson or Aaron Gates moving outside. Both have far more experience than Florida’s other options and the versatility to make things work. Gates played cornerback in his freshman year before making the transition to nickel /star in the offseason. Billy Napier said preseason that Denson and Gates can play cornerback, and to not be surprised if you see them on the field at the same time this season. I believe we will see that in week ten vs Georgia.