Patrick Toney was brought over from Louisiana to lead the Gators’ defense under Billy Napier. Toney had success as defensive coordinator for the Ragin Cajuns, coaching defenses that ranked 31st and 11th in total defense. Louisiana ranked 31st and 9th in scoring defense during Toney’s two years in charge.
Toney hasn’t found success at Florida in year one. Florida ranks 106th in total defense and 12th in the SEC through seven games. The Gators haven’t been good in any area on defense, but the worst has come on 3rd downs. Florida ranks 131st (last in FBS) in 3rd down conversion percentage, allowing 51 conversions on 97 attempts.
Gator Country breaks down each defensive position group through the first seven games and discusses what the future holds for that unit.
DEFENSIVE LINE
The Gators’ defensive line has struggled to get to the QB this season. Florida has sacked the QB 13 times through seven games, which ranks T-80th in FBS. The key here to me is consistency. At times we’ve seen the Gators’ defensive line get to the QB, specifically against Kentucky and Missouri. We’ve seen Princely Umanmielen, Justus Boone, and Brenton Cox shine, but it’s been far too inconsistent. Cox is one player that’s improved over the last three weeks. He’s recorded a sack in each of his last two games. Cox struggled early on in 2021 before going on a tear in the final four games of last season. If the Gators’ DL is going to take strides in the final five games, it needs to start with the veteran Brenton Cox. He needs to continue getting to the QB and bringing him down when he does. Cox has had several opportunities to add a sack to his stat sheet but couldn’t wrap up and finish the play.
Florida hasn’t been able to stop the run this season, ranking 111th in rush defense. The Gators have a lack of NFL talent in the defensive tackle room. Gervon Dexter has been double teamed often this season and other players along the DL just haven’t stepped up.
It’s tough to put together a good defense when your defensive line isn’t producing. A great defensive line can make the secondary look better than they are. Rebuilding this Gators’ defensive line should be priority number one for Napier and Toney.
Chris McClellan is one player the Gators will try to build a mean defensive line around. At times this season McClellan has looked like the best in the room. McClellan, Tyreak Sapp and Justus Boone are a solid core to build around. I expect Florida to look into several transfers along the defensive line to help bridge the gap for the younger players making the transition into college.
LINEBACKERS
Outside of Ventrell Miller, nobody in the room has played with consistency this season. Amari Burney has found success getting to the QB this season but has been a liability in both the run and pass game at times this season.
Shemar James is one player I’m excited about. His versatility is something we haven’t seen in the linebacker room for a long time.
Scooby Williams is another with a ton of potential but has shown flaws and looked lost through seven games. I believe that the staff should use Wiliams off the edge to try and simplify the game for him. His speed and burst would create problems for defensive lineman. He will need to put on more weight if that’s what the staff decides to do with him. He currently weighs 235 pounds according to Florida’s roster.
I expect Napier and Toney to be aggressive in the transfer portal for this unit as well.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The mess of Gators’ defensive backs haven’t lived up to their expectations in 2022, ranking 11th in the SEC in pass defense. Florida has primarily rotated five cornerbacks into the game, none of whom have separated themselves from the group as the clear-cut best cornerbacks on the team. It seems as if this unit is regressing as the season goes on. We’ve seen good games from Jalen Kimber, Devin Moore, Jason Marshall, and Jaydon Hill, but they’ve been inconsistent.
The Gators rank last in the FBS in 3rd down conversions. This is due to a lack of aggression from Gator cornerbacks, poor play calling on 3rd downs, and a lack of pressure from the defensive line.
The safety unit has arguably been the worst group for the Gators this season. Your safeties are supposed to be the best tacklers on the team, outside of maybe the linebackers; it’s the last line of defense. We haven’t seen that from this unit this season. Trey Dean and Rashad Torrence aren’t starting on any other SEC defense.
Kamari Wilson has rotated in frequently and in my opinion should be a starter for this Gators’ defense. Wilson has looked like a rookie at times, but I’d rather see him make those mistakes so he can learn from them.
I’m not worried about the future of the defensive back room, as long as Corey Raymond stays on the staff. You could see several players in UF’s 2023 class start at cornerback from day one. Devin Moore is another player the staff really likes. Miguel Mitchell, Donovan McMillon, and Kamari Wilson will lead the unit at safety.
FINAL STATEMENT
There’s a ton of factors that go into the Gators defensive performance this year. I believe it’s a combination of play calling, poor execution, and a lack of NFL talent on the roster. There are not more than 2-3 starters on the Gators’ defense that will play on Sunday’s. Ventrell Miller is Florida’s best player, but he doesn’t exactly fit the current mold of NFL linebackers. Gervon Dexter hasn’t put enough on tape to go early rounds. Brenton Cox will get drafted but has displayed inconsistencies throughout his career.
I’ve said it from early on in the season, the Gators’ defense is a long-term project. You aren’t going to see major strides from now until the end of the season, not with the current level of talent and depth. This defense would be much better off if they could just get off the field on third downs.
I wouldn’t be surprised if you see a large number of transfers both in and out on the defensive side of the ball in the off-season.