Defensive line coach Gerald Chatman played a significant role in Florida’s defensive turnaround throughout the 2024 season. The Gators progressed as the year went on, allowing just 13 points per game in its final four contests due to increased pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
In Chatman’s first year at UF, the Gators’ defense ranked T-11th in the country in sacks with 39, a significant spike from 22 in 2023.
“I think sometimes when you go through adversity, how you respond to that is the most important thing,” Chatman said on Florida’s defensive line clicking. “I think this team responded the right way to the adversity early on in the season, and they kept competing, and they just stuck to the overall process, the program and the leadership. And so I think that, you know, they stayed bought in. They stayed the course.”
Florida couldn’t have had the defensive success they did without the emergence of Caleb Banks. The 6’6, 325-pound defensive lineman wreaked havoc on opposing offensive lines late in the season, creating constant pressure and living in the backfield. Against Ole Miss and LSU alone, Banks combined for 3.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, 14 pressures, a forced fumble, and a pass deflection.
Banks opted to return for his senior season despite soaring up NFL Draft boards.
“Obviously having a guy like that who started to reach a peak towards the back end of the season last year, it’s getting him to do that from Day 1 – and then be consistent throughout the whole year. That’s the challenge,” Chatman said on Banks.
The marked team and individual improvements under Chatman’s guidance caught the attention of the NFL. Chatman interviewed with the Chicago Bears for the same position before deciding to return to Florida after signing an extension.
“I think whenever you’re part of something special, you’re part of a really good program, I think that opportunities come – not just for me, but for other coaches in our program,” Chatman said on interviewing with the Bears. “So, my experience is that I’m thankful, I’m grateful, I have gratitude that I’m a part of this program under this leadership and the coaches that I get to work with every day. Man, it’s a blessing to be a Gator right now. So all of those experiences, it’s not just necessarily a credit to me and my work, but it’s just overall the program and what this brand and what this university means. It’s special to be a part of this.”
Florida’s defensive line has huge shoes to fill at defensive tackle after the departures of Cam Jackson, Desmond Watson, Joey Slackman, and Kelby Collins, who combined for 860 snaps last season. The Gators haven’t opted to take an interior defensive lineman in the portal yet, which means they are relying on the development of their younger guys at the position.
Sophomore defensive lineman Michai Boireau is one player that is expected to take on a larger role after playing in 12 games and logging 144 snaps last season.
“I think we don’t miss a beat with Michai. I think Michai has a great skill set. He’s gonna be good in the run and the pass game. He knows the defense, so that’s an advantage. He’s working on his technique and fundamentals,” Chatman said on Boireau. “Michai is doing a great job. He’s a smart kid. He’s a tough kid. I expect him to have a big role, you know, going forward.”
Florida added freshman Stephon Shivers to the fold, who weighed in at 399 pounds ahead of spring camp. Chatman has been observed working one on one with Shivers during spring practice as they view him as someone who could see the field early.
“He’s huge. He’s strong,” Chatman said on Shivers. “It’s always good to have those type of guys in the room. Just get him in that A-gap, and I think we’ll be alright. But he’s a young kid, he’s still learning a lot, you know, technique, fundamentals, a lot on his plate right now. And I like to put the pressure on them early to see how they handle that and handle the adversity.”
Sophomore D’Antre Robinson and senior Brien Taylor Jr. are two names that keep coming up in conversation in recent weeks.
“D’Antre Robinson and Brien Taylor, they’re doing a really good job,” Chatman said. “Pleased with D’Antre. Think he’s a tough kid, great kid to have around the program. He cares about his teammates. He has a skill set -. he’s twitched up. So I think he’s one of those guys who’s gonna have a big role this year. And again, a guy that I’ve had since day one – and that’s a special thing. So going into Year Two it’s huge those guys are getting the reps and getting the bulk of the load right now.”
While it’s mostly an inexperienced room, the Gators do return redshirt junior Jamari Lyons after he suffered a broken ankle and missed all of 2024. Florida viewed Lyons as a starter prior to injury.
“He’s one of those impactful guys, just his presence amongst the group, having them there and working and the guys seeing him work, he has that type of impact on other guys, on his teammates. So that alone is huge, just having him out there,” Chatman said on Lyons.
Florida is aiming for a more consistent defense in 2025 after taking significant strides in the back half of last season. The development of Florida’s interior defensive line will play a large role in that.
“I think the importance in every defense is for one, be sound – we’re going to be sound. We have a good scheme, and we have a scheme that allows us to utilize our personnel and put them in a position to be successful,” Chatman said. “Besides that it comes down to, the effort that we play with, the pursuit, the tackling, the fundamentals, taking the ball away.”