Florida’s defense has performed admirably despite a 1-3 (0-1 SEC) start to the 2025 campaign. The Gators rank 22nd in total defense and 24th in scoring defense through four games.
The improvements in Florida’s secondary have gone a long way in helping solidify a Gators defense that’s previously struggled under Billy Napier. Florida is allowing just 173 passing yards per game, which ranks 32nd in the country. They’ve also only allowed two passing touchdowns all season: one vs. USF and one vs. LSU.
Injuries are starting to pile up on defense, however. Most recently, the Gators lost cornerback Dijon Johnson and nickel Aaron Gates as both are expected to have surgery. For essentially the first time all season, Florida’s secondary won’t be at full strength.
The Gators will lean on a pair of freshmen defensive backs in an effort to replace two prominent, experienced players in Johnson and Gates.
“I think Lagonza Hayward will get more action, and I think that J’Vari Flowers will get more action. So those are the two players. They are both rookies, they’re both talented, both very capable, and they’re in the mix now. They’ll be very much a part of the plan,” head coach Billy Napier said on Wednesday.
Flowers, a top 100 prospect out of Miami, Florida, reclassified into the 2025 class before signing with the Gators in late March. The 5’10, 187 cornerback has seen action in all four games on special teams while appearing on defense in two games (LIU and Miami).
16 of his 18 defensive snaps came against Long Island in Florida’s season opener. Flowers recorded a pass break up on the only pass thrown his way.
“Instincts. I think the guy’s very instinctive. I think he’s played a lot of football. He has play strength. He’s got some density to his frame, and I think he’s got recovery speed,” Napier said on Flowers.
One of the unique parts of Flowers’ game is his track speed. The Northwestern High School product was Florida’s 3A state champion in the 100-meter dash in 2024 while finishing 2nd in the 200 final as well. Flowers was named Miami Herald Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year for his efforts.
Flowers’ speed shows up with the pads on too. The cornerback is a twitchy runner with elite levels of acceleration and top end speed. Flowers was electrifying as a returner in high school as well.
“He’s extremely fast. This guy’s one of the fastest guys in the country, we’re talking 10.3, 10.4 consistently as an underclassman,” Napier said on Flowers. “Then I think he’s played a lot of football at a high level in a good program against really good competition. So he’s just doing what he’s been doing for the last five years. He’s playing ball.”
Flowers was a summer enrollee, meaning he missed all of spring camp. Despite early struggles as a result, Flowers moved up the depth chart and is ready to take on a significant role in Florida’s defense as a true freshman.
“It took him a while to figure it out. He got embarrassed out there first couple weeks, and then he figured it out. So I think it speaks to the program he played in, the level of competition and then it’s not too big for him. He’s up for the challenge,” Napier said on Flowers.
Sophomore linebacker Myles Graham shares a similar sentiment.
“J’Vari, he’s a ballplayer. He has great instincts,” Graham said on Flowers. “He tracks the ball well. He’s great in coverage, and what’s rare for him at his age, is he’s good in the run game. So, he’ll come in and he’ll throw his hat in there and he’ll hold the runner up. I’m excited to see J’Vari out there. He’s super fast and he can fly around the field, so that will be a great addition for us.”
With Florida’s offense struggling mightily to start the season, the defense will likely need to continue standing their ground in order to keep them in games. You can expect Flowers to serve as the third cornerback behind Devin Moore and Cormani McClain.