STORY BY: Reid Robinson
The 2024 college football season is just weeks away from kicking off as the Florida Gators are set to take on in-state rival Miami Hurricanes on August 31st. The Gators’ defense consists of 17 new faces which includes plenty of veteran experience brought in through the transfer portal.
Florida’s linebacker unit is built on speed from sideline to sideline. After losing Scooby Williams and Mannie Nunnery this offseason, the Gators looked to refill their linebacker unit with transfers and promising freshman. The Gators added Grayson “Pup” Howard from the University of South Carolina; along with two composite 4 stars via 247: Aaron Chiles and Myles Graham. Incoming linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator Ron Roberts looks to revamp this Gator defense which allowed 27.6 points per game (78th in the nation).
Junior Linebacker Shemar James
Shemar James has and will be the centerpiece of this Gator defense. James was having a respectable year before having his season cut short following a dislocated kneecap, totaling 55 tackles and a sack across eight games. The 6-1, 230-pound linebacker will be healthy enough to return in week 1 vs Miami on August 31st. This sets the tone for a vital year for the true junior as he attempts to boost his draft stock, which took a hit after his injury.
James was invited to go to SEC Media days, representing the Gators and becoming the anchor and leader of this team. The injury has seemed to push him into this role by becoming a leader off the field.
“Staying close with the team. You know, injuries can draw some guys away from the team, and I believe some guys consume themselves too much with football. That’s what they become. I would stay just staying around the team, encouraging the guys each and every week, each and every opponent we may have,” James said on staying involved after his injury.
With this new staff coming in, the Gators are attempting to revamp this defense into what it was years ago. Shemar James has a chance to be the face of this Gator defense, which could propel him into NFL Draft conversations.
Sophomore Linebacker Grayson Howard
My favorite defensive player is Jacksonville native Grayson “Pup” Howard, who makes a return to his home state after playing one year at the University of South Carolina. Howard appeared in 11 games as a true freshman for the Gamecocks, but ultimately decided to transfer back to his home state during the winter of 2024. Howard stands 6’4, 235-pounds with blazing speed, which is exactly what the Gators were looking for in the portal after the departure of Scooby Williams.
The former top 100 player in the class of 2023 is expected to have a major impact on the team immediately. He put his talents on display during the spring game when Howard captured 6 tackles for Team Orange in an impressive debut. Howard has a lot of momentum heading into fall camp as he looks to capture the number two spot behind Shemar James.
Redshirt Senior Linebacker Derek Wingo
Returning senior Derek Wingo is the voice of this Gator defense, which he has shown over the years. In 2023, Wingo appeared in all twelve games, totaling 17 tackles, 3.5 for loss, and a blocked punt. Throughout his Gators’ career, Wingo has appeared in 45 games but hasn’t exactly shined as predicted out of high school. Wingo was a five star out of Fort Lauderdale in the class of 2020 with a lot of hype surrounding his potential. In his final season, Wingo is attempting to claim a starting role and fulfill his true potential.
“I came to the University of Florida not for specific coaches, I came for the University of Florida. I wanted to be close to my family and I bought into the program. Even though the program might have changed, I had a plan for myself and when these new coaches came in they presented a plan for that and I believe that with everything going on in the transfer portal world and all these kinds of things,” Wingo said.
While Wingo is competing on the field for a spot, he has ultimately grabbed the leadership role of the defense for numerous years. He has also been loyal through numerous coaching staffs and unsuccessful seasons.
Wingo had limited participation in the spring as he was wearing a non-contact jersey for safety precaution. With a new linebacker coach, Derek Wingo could be given the opportunity to prove his potential in his final year of eligibility.
Who else could make an impact?
There is a lot of hope in the linebacker room entering its 3rd year under the tenure of Billy Napier. The depth is becoming a key factor throughout the defense and inside this room, which has not been available the last two years.
The class of 2024 brought in two elite linebackers. The first being freshman Myles Graham from Atlanta, Georgia. For his senior year, Graham moved to Gainesville to play at the local high school Buchholz in which he totaled 59 tackles (27 solo) in 12 games. The former 5 star (Rivals) endured a lingering back injury during this past spring. This led to a surgery before the spring game where he was unable to perform. However, Graham shined before his injury.
“He’s been outstanding, a tremendous athlete,” Ron Roberts said on Graham. “Great hips, can run, flip his hips, do everything. He can play anything. So, he’s been a pleasure to work with, and it’s exciting.”
Graham has a real shot to make an impact over the course of this 2024 season if he is able to quickly bounce back from surgery.
The other talented freshman in the 2024 class is Aaron Chiles from Olney Maryland, who was an impressive addition for Billy Napier and this young linebacker room. The 6’3 linebacker earned himself the MaxPreps player of the Year in the state of Maryland for his senior year. Chiles was unable to enroll during the spring of 2024 due to the rules of his high school, but arrived on campus this summer and is looking to emerge during fall camp before game one’s kickoff in late August.
An underrated yet talented returner is sophomore Jaden Robinson, who saw action in all 12 games last year, totaling only 4 tackles and two quarterback pressures. Robinson was a highly touted 4 star recruit coming out of nearby Lake City, Florida. He is looking to make the jump in his career entering his second year with the team. Although there is a lot of great depth in this room, Robinson has the potential to make an impact during the Gators challenging 2024 gauntlet.
Projected Depth Chart:
MLB (1):
Starter: Shemar James
Backup: Derek Wingo
Reserve: Aaron Chiles
MLB (2):
Starter: Grayson Howard
Backup: Myles Graham
Reserve: Jaden Robinson
STORY BY: Reid Robinson