Florida Gators need consistency from Jabari Zuniga

Take a look at Florida Gators junior defensive end Jabari Zuniga and you will see a guy who has all of the makings to be a top lineman in the SEC.

He showed that potential as he became one of Florida’s sack leaders in each of his first two seasons, but he has still yet to completely breakout and put the season together that he is capable of.

So, what is holding him back?

It’s certainly not a lack of physique, as defensive line coach Sal Sunseri pointed out earlier this week. His 6-4, 257-pound build might even bring out some jealousy from his coaches.

“He looks unbelievable,” Sunseri said. “I wake up in the morning and look at my body then I come in and I look at his, and who do you think is better?”

Zuniga has always had good size, but he spent the summer improving his body even more, with a focus on his lower half. The work with strength and conditioning coach Nick Savage improved his squat weight to 500 pounds, which is about 100 pounds more than his previous max.

“Savage made it an emphasis to just develop your base, you know, your lower body,” Zuniga said. “My lower body wasn’t really like strong, it wasn’t stable, so in the run game I wasn’t really stout like I wanted to be.”

He’s got the size. He’s got the strength. He’s got the ability. But the one thing that’s been missing so far in his Florida career is consistency.

That’s become a very common word in the vocabulary of this coaching staff and will continue to be something that is harped on, not only with Zuniga, but with the entire team.

It could be the difference between Zuniga having an All-SEC season or simply sitting in the same place he’s been stuck in over the last two years. He’s seemed to disappear at critical times throughout the season in the past, and that is something that just cannot happen.

“He has to learn to be an every-down player,” said head coach Dan Mullen. “An every-down player to make sure he is strong in the run game and the pass-rush game, equal. And an every-down player in consistency and performance in how he plays. When you look at top players, in the SEC and around the country, any top player, it’s the consistency of performance. If you look at the top d-linemen in the NFL, they can do it on first and third down, and they can do it consistently in both categories. They can consistently put on a good pass-rush, consistently be stout against the run, have the ability to make some plays. He has all of that. It’s just going to be his continued growth and development. The potential is there for him to be that type of player.”

According to Sunseri, Zuniga is working hard in practice to become that every-down player the Gators need. With all of his attributes and a jump in consistency, Florida’s coaches see no reason for him not to be a dangerous lineman in every category in 2018.

“He’s getting better every single day,” Sunseri said. “He’s understanding the game. The thing that’s amazing to me is when you take them in and you come in and show them how to look at it, why they’re doing what they’re doing, they got a chance to be successful. He had two great practices in a row. I’m pleased with him. He’s got talent.”

Bailiegh Carlton
A lifelong sports fan, Bailiegh Carlton knew from a young age that she wanted to work in sports in some capacity. Before transferring to the University of Florida to study journalism, she played softball at Gulf Coast State College. She then interned for Gator Country for three years as she worked toward her degree. After graduation, Bailiegh decided to explore other opportunities in the world of sports, but all roads led her right back here. In her time away, she and her husband welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world. When she isn't working, she can almost always be found snuggled up with sweet baby Ridley, Cody and her four fur babies.