With the season around the corner and fall camp underway, Gator Country gives you an in-depth breakdown of the position groups and a projected depth chart.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
The defensive tackle group is my number one concern for the Florida Gators entering the 2022 season. One could argue that the unit was the worst on the team last season. The Gators ranked 9th in the SEC in run defense, giving up 172.75 yards per game, according to SEC Stat Cast. They also allowed 5.51 yards per carry, which ranks 12th in the SEC, only leading Vanderbilt and Missouri in that category.
Departures from the 2021 group include Lamar Goods (transfer), Tyrone Truesdell (graduate), Griffin McDowell (position change), Antonio Valentino (graduate), Daquan Newkirk (graduate), Zachary Carter (draft), and Dante Zanders (position change).
The turnover at defensive tackle is not necessarily a bad thing considering where the unit ranked last season. However, it leaves the group extremely thin with very little experience. There are just seven scholarship defensive tackles on the roster.
Gervon Dexter
Dexter is the leader of the group and will be looking to prove himself this season. Dexter claimed he was going to play edge this season, but with just six guys behind him, and the reassurance from Patrick Toney and Sean Spencer that Dexter has the versatility to play all over the line, I predict we will see him primarily at DT. Dexter was credited with 2.5 sacks last season along with 4.5 tackles for loss and 50 tackles. The former five-star high school recruit has been receiving high praise from the coaching staff and the media despite the lack of production. Dexter is looking to prove why he’s worthy of a preseason third-team All-SEC selection.
Jalen Lee
Lee has a chance to win the starting job this season for the Gators. The junior defensive tackle made his first start against UCF in the Gasparilla Bowl where he was credited with three tackles and one tackle for loss against the Knights. Sean Spencer referred to Lee as a “technician” during the press conference on August 2nd. If Lee doesn’t earn the starting role this year, he will at the very least have a huge impact on this team.
Desmond Watson
Watson is another candidate to start at defensive tackle this season. Watson appeared as a backup in all 13 games last season, finishing with seven tackles and .5 sacks. Watson still weighs 415 pounds, which seems to be holding him back at the start of fall camp. Sean Spencer said that Watson is fully committed to the plan and that he’s doing everything he needs to do to get his body where it needs to be. Watson moves very well for someone his size. I still believe Watson needs to lose at least 40 pounds if he wants to be an every-down player for Florida. For now, I’m choosing Lee to start over Watson, but this could change as the season goes on. You can still expect to see Watson in on early down packages, but if it’s a lengthy drive or a 3rd down scenario, Watson will likely not be in the game. If Watson doesn’t get his body right, he will miss out on significant playing time.
Chris McClellan
McClellan is my pick to get the last spot on the two-deep depth chart to start the season. The highly touted Oklahoma product enrolled early for Florida, giving him a better chance at early playing time this season. McClellan doesn’t lack the size to play in the SEC as he is 6’3, 305 pounds. McClellan was ranked 113th nationally and 16th on the defensive line.
PROJECTED DEPTH CHART
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Starter- Gervon Dexter
Backup – Chris McClellan
NOSE TACKLE
Starter- Jalen Lee
Backup – Desmond Watson
Other contributors at defensive tackle will be redshirt freshman Chris Thomas Jr, true freshman Jamari Lyons, and redshirt junior Jaelin Humphries.
It will be interesting to see how this group plays this season. I believe that the starting group and the two deep will be serviceable, if healthy. However, one to two injuries in this unit could create a real problem for the Gators, as the depth lacks experience.
It will be fun to see what formations Patrick Toney can draw up to get his best players on the field, giving the Gators the best chance to win. With just seven scholarship players in the group, it will be worth monitoring other players along the defensive and offensive line to see if the staff asks any players to change positions if needed.