Part two of Gator Country’s post fall camp depth chart: Defense.
Check out our offensive depth chart projection here:
Defensive end (F)
1. R-Sr. Tyreak Sapp
2. Jr. Kamran James
3. Fr. Jalen Wiggins
JACK
1. R-Sr. George Gumbs Jr.
2. So. LJ McCray
3. Fr. Jayden Woods
4. R-Jr. Kofi Asare
Analysis
Florida is at least two deep at both the F and JACK positions. Sapp and James should handle most of the significant reps at F. However, James is thought of as one of the best edge rushers on the team and has received some work at JACK as a result.
Freshman Jayden Woods is a player to watch out in 2025 as one of the most talked about players in spring and fall camp. With LJ McCray’s injury status unclear for the start of the season, it could open up more opportunities for Woods to make a significant impact early in his career.
The Gators returned Sapp and Gumbs Jr. who combined for 12 sacks last season. Florida’s edge unit is the deepest and most experienced position group on defense.
Defensive tackle
1. R-Sr. Caleb Banks
2. R-So. Brendan Bett
3. Sr. Brien Taylor Jr. or Fr. Joseph Mbatchou
Nose tackle
1. R-Jr. Jamari Lyons
2. So. Michai Boireau
3. R-So. Tarvorise Brown III
Analysis
The return of Caleb Banks for his final season could end up being the most significant ‘addition’ of the offseason. The 6’6, 330-pound defensive tackle was playing as good as anyone in the country over the last month of the 2024 season, combining for 3.5 sacks against LSU and Ole Miss alone.
Florida is mostly inexperienced at the nose tackle position with the loss of Cam Jackson and Desmond Watson. The Gators have Jamari Lyons back after he missed all of 2024 with a gruesome ankle injury. Lyons can play both interior positions.
Baylor transfer Brendan Bett should provide Florida will much needed depth up front. One player I’m keeping an eye on to make an impact as the season progresses is freshman Jospeh Mbatchou, who may be the most physically gifted interior lineman on the team.
MIKE linebacker
1. Jr. Grayson Howard
2. Jr. Jaden Robinson
3. Fr. Ty Jackson
WILL linebacker
1. So. Myles Graham
2. So. Aaron Chiles
3. Fr. Myles Johnson
Analysis
Florida’s staff thinks their linebacker room is one of the best units in the country with four NFL caliber linebackers in the mix, all of which are returners from last season. Four of Florida’s six scholarship linebackers ranked as top 12 linebackers in their respective high school classes while three ranked inside the top 10.
It’s not the most experienced position group on defense with 1,316 career snaps split between six guys, but the upside is undeniable.
Cornerback
1. Sr. Devin Moore
2. Fr. Ben Hanks III
3. Rr-Fr Jameer Grimsley or R-Fr. Teddy Foster
Cornerback
1. R-So. Cormani McClain
2. Jr. Dijon Johnson
3. Fr. Onis Konanbanny or Fr. J’Vari Flowers
Analysis
Florida has a mixed bag from a depth and experience standpoint at cornerback. The Gators feel great about their top three corners in Devin Moore, Cormani McClain, and Dijon Johnson, but the depth behind them is all freshmen with little or no experience.
With Johnson missing a large chunk of fall camp with injury, I gave the starting nod to Cormani McClain, who has taken huge strides this offseason. I expect this to be a battle that lasts all season. Ultimately, both will play a ton of snaps.
One of the freshmen will likely play significant snaps in 2025, so tracking the development of newcomers Ben Hanks III, Onis Konanbanny, and J’Vari Flowers will be key. Southern Miss transfer Michael Caraway has been working at safety but has experience at both cornerback and nickel.
Strong safety
1. Jr. Jordan Castell
2. Fr. Lagonza Hayward
3. R-Jr. Alfonzo Allen
Free safety
1. Jr. Bryce Thornton
2. R-Sr. Michael Caraway
3. Fr. Drake Stubbs
Analysis
Florida returns both starting safeties from the 2024 season in Jordan Castell and Bryce Thornton. Southern Miss transfer Michael Caraway has emerged as a depth piece at safety.
Lagonza Hayward and Drake Stubbs will look to crack the rotation as two top eight safeties in the 2025 class. Hayward is also working at STAR.
STAR / Nickel
1. Jr. Sharif Denson
2. R-So. Aaron Gates
3. R-Fr. Josiah Davis or Fr. Lagonza Hayward
Analysis
Sharif Denson and Aaron Gates are back after handling the majority of STAR snaps last season. Due to the physicality of the position, Florida will rotate two guys in throughout the game. Florida has been managing Gates’ workload after he tore his ACL just over eight months ago, so his playing time will be something to track early in the season.