The Florida Gators added 12 transfers to their 2023 roster in the offseason including six offensive players and six defensive players.
Gator Country evaluates all 12 players at the midway point in the 2023 season.
OFFENSE
QB GRAHAM MERTZ
In six games as the starting quarterback for Florida, Mertz has completed 80% of his passes for 1,474 yards and nine touchdowns while tossing two interceptions.
Mertz’s offensive grade of 81.9 ranks 30th in the FBS amongst eligible quarterbacks, according to Pro Football Focus. Mertz’s passing grade of 86.8 ranks 18th in the FBS. One of Mertz’s weaknesses this season has been his pocket awareness, which is represented by his 48.2 run grade. His inability to create a play when the pocket breaks down has hurt what has otherwise been an incredible season for the redshirt junior QB. Mertz tends to hold on to the ball too long in the pocket, resulting in a high number of sacks (15).
Mertz has done an incredible job of taking care of the football through six games, ranking 2nd in the FBS in completion percentage while ranking third in the SEC in turnover worthy play rate amongst SEC QB’s with more than 100 attempts on the season, according to SEC Stat Cat.
Mertz’s next step as a QB should be to work on his accuracy on passes 20+ yards downfield. While Mertz has completed 9-16 passes for three touchdowns on passes over 20+ yards this season, we saw some inconsistencies last week against Vanderbilt. Napier and Mertz are only throwing past 20 yards on 9.1% of their passing plays, while 2022 QB Anthony Richardson attempted 19.4% of his passes over 20 yards.
The 6-3, 215-pound Kansas native has done almost everything Billy Napier and the Gators’ staff have asked him to do through the midway point of the season. Mertz would benefit from better pass protection, where the Gators currently rank 43rd in the FBS, according to PFF.
OL MICAH MAZZCCUA
The Baylor transfer has started in five of Florida’s six games in 2023, posting an offensive grade of 66.7, which ranks 5th amongst Gator offensive lineman with more than 100 snaps on the season.
Mazzccua has logged all 299 of his snaps at right guard. Mazzccua has allowed two sacks, three QB hurries, and five pressures while working to a pass block grade of 75.9, which ranks 5th highest amongst Gators with more than 100 snaps. Mazzccua’s run block grade of 64.9 ranks 6th on the team.
The 6-5, 325-pound guard has been flagged for just one penalty through five games while five Gators’ offensive lineman have committed two or more penalties.
OL DAMIEON GEORGE
The Alabama transfer has started five games for the Gators while appearing in all six games this season. George has worked primarily at right tackle, but has logged 86 snaps at left tackle, including 68 in Florida’s week six game against Vanderbilt.
George has struggled in pass protection this season, allowing one sack and team highs in both QB hurries (9) pressures (10). George’s pass block grade sits at 62.3, which ranks 9th on the Gators and 7th amongst offensive lineman with more than 100 snaps.
George has particularly struggled in true pass sets, which eliminates screens, play actions, and rollout plays. George’s true pass set grade of 36.8 ranks 6th amongst eligible Gators’ offensive lineman.
The 6-6, 350-pound tackle grades out better in run blocking, where he ranks 4th amongst Gators’ offensive lineman.
George has recorded a team high four penalties.
OL LYNDELL HUDSON
The FIU transfer has seen action in four games this season including two starts. Hudson ranks first on the team in pass blocking among players with 100+ snaps and second on the team if you include all players (Kam Waites, 84.1). Hudson has allowed zero sacks, zero pressures, and zero QB hurries across 55 passing snaps.
The 6-5, 325-pound tackle ranks 5th on the Gators in run block, holding a grade of 66.3, according to PFF.
Hudson has logged all 107 of his snaps at right tackle. Hudson has committed one penalty in 2023.
RB CAM CARROLL
Tulane transfer Cam Carroll will miss the entire 2023 season after tearing a knee ligament during a fall scrimmage. Carroll was expected to compete for playing time as the RB3 this season.
OL KIYAUNTA GOODWIN
Kentucky transfer Kiyaunta had to transfer from the Florida Gators during fall camp for a personal matter.
DEFENSE
DL CALEB BANKS
Louisville transfer Caleb Banks has started all six games for the Gators this season, totaling eight tackles (3 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks. Banks has generated 12 pressures, one QB hit, and nine QB hurries across 156 snaps, the most from a Gators’ defensive tackle through six games.
Banks’ defensive grade of 74.6 ranks first among Gators’ interior defensive lineman. Banks’ win rate of 12% ranks first among interior defensive lineman and second across all defensive lineman, trailing only edge rusher Princely Umanmielen.
The 6-6, 320 pound redshirt freshman has moved around on the defensive line for the Gators, recording 15 snaps as the nose tackle, 89 snaps at defensive tackle, 50 snaps over the offensive tackle, and two snaps outside of the offensive tackle.
Banks grades as the 9th best run defender on the team, holding a run defense grade of 73.2.
Banks has been a critical addition to the Gators’ defense and will continue playing a prominent role moving forward.
DL CAM’RON JACKSON
Memphis transfer Cam’Ron Jackson has started all six games for the Gators, totaling 21 tackles (13 solo), .5 TFL, and one pass break up.
Jackson’s defensive grade of 68.2 ranks 9th among Gators’ defensive lineman and 5th among interior defensive lineman. Jackson has logged 137 snaps through six games, trailing only Princely Umanmielen and Caleb Banks on the Gators’ DL.
Jackson has excelled in run defense this season, posting the 6th highest grade on the Gators’ defense and 2nd highest among defensive linemen.
The 6-6, 360-pound DT has not been able to generate a pressure on opposing QBs this season, posting a pressure grade of 56.3, according to PFF.
Jackson will continue to play a critical role in stopping opposing teams run game, but do not expect an effective pass rush from the junior defensive tackle.
LB TERADJA MITCHELL
The Ohio State LB transfer is one of the few seniors on the Gators’ roster, but the Virginia Beach native has taken a back seat to some of the younger players in the linebacker unit.
Mitchell has logged just 67 snaps through six games, the 5th most in the linebacker room. The 6-2, 245 pounder has totaled 11 tackles (6 solo) and two QB hurries n 2023.
Mitchell has been effective in run defense in minimal opportunities, holding a run defense grade of 76.6, the 4th highest on the Gators’ defense.
In coverage, Mitchell grades as the worst on Florida’s defense, allowing two receptions for 38 yards and a touchdown on two targets in 21 coverage snaps.
S RJ MOTEN
Michigan transfer RJ Moten is in a similar situation to Mitchell as he’s been passed up by younger players in the room. Moten’s logged 92 snaps at safety, the 3rd most in a thin safety room. Moten has appeared in all six games including one start.
Moten grades as the worst defensive player on the Gators, holding a defensive grade of 48.4, according to PFF. Moten has not graded out well in any category and grades as the second worst tackler on the team, trailing only LB Derek Wingo. Moten has missed four tackles this season for a missed tackle rate of 40%, the 2nd highest on the team.
Moten has lined up primarily at safety but has logged 31 snaps in the box and 10 in the slot.
With true freshman seeing the majority of playing time as of late, the path for playing time is unclear for the junior.
LB MANNIE NUNNERY
Houston transfer Mannie Nunnery has seen action in all six games, totaling 102 snaps, the 3rd most in the LB room.
Nunnery has recorded 12 tackles and three QB hurries on the season. The 6-1, 225 pounder has allowed seven receptions for 56 yards on eight targets.
Nunnery grades out fairly average across the board and should continue to see playing time behind LB Shemar James and Scooby Williams. The LB room is one of the more competitive units on the team, as Derek Wingo and Teradja Mitchell are also fighting for playing time.
LB DUECE SPURLOCK
Michigan transfer Deuce Spurlock has not appeared in a game this season.