With the season opener against Florida Atlantic just five days away, UF released its first unofficial depth chart of the season on Monday afternoon.
UF has released its unofficial depth chart for this week's game against FAU. Only real surprises are Burney ahead of Diabate at linebacker, Rocco Underwood not being the starting long-snapper and Fenley Graham nowhere to be found on special teams. pic.twitter.com/QnMYUwQgE7
— Ethan Hughes (@ehughes97) August 30, 2021
Offensively, the only uncertainty came at running back and on the offensive line. Dameon Pierce and Malik Davis are listed as co-starters at running back, with Nay’Quan Wright serving as the top backup.
“I’m pretty comfortable with those guys being in the game,” coach Dan Mullen said. “We’ll have certain packages that we want certain guys in for. But beyond that, [running backs coach Greg Knox] kind of rolls them through. There will be certain things at times or situations where we want a certain guy in. But for the most part, he’s just rolling them through.”
Kingsley Eguakun is listed as the starter at center after practicing with the first unit throughout training camp. Jean Delance held off Josh Braun to keep his starting right tackle job. Braun is listed as Stewart Reese’s backup at right guard.
“One of the things you want to do is put guys in position to be successful,” Mullen said. “We feel like the combinations we’re putting out there is putting guys in a position where they’re at their best. It gives us the opportunity to put the best five guys on the field.
“And then, as you keep going, you mix and match some different combinations to always make sure you have your best five guys on the field at all times in positions where they can do things they do well. It’s not just, ‘These are the five most talented guys; it’s what they do well.'”
Emory Jones will start ahead of Anthony Richardson at quarterback. He’ll throw the ball to starting receivers Justin Shorter, Jacob Copeland and Trent Whittemore and tight end Kemore Gamble.
Defensively, Brenton Cox and Jeremiah Moon are listed as co-starters at BUCK, with Khris Bogle being the top reserve. Penn State transfer Antonio Valentino and Auburn transfer Daquan Newkirk are atop the depth chart at defensive tackle.
Amari Burney beat out Mohamoud Diabate at the linebacker spot next to Ventrell Miller.
The cornerback spot opposite of Kaiir Elam became one of the top position battles in camp following Jaydon Hill’s season-ending torn ACL. Avery Helm will get the start this week, with five-star freshman Jason Marshall and Texas A&M transfer Elijah Blades factoring in as well.
Missouri transfer Jadarrius Perkins won the competition to backup Tre’Vez Johnson at STAR following an injury to Kamar Wilcoxson.
The kicking situation remains unsettled, as Mississippi State transfer Jace Christmann and Chris Howard are separated by the word “or” on the depth chart.
Somewhat surprisingly, Marco Ortiz will start at long-snapper ahead of Rocco Underwood, one of the few freshmen to earn a scholarship at the position.
Copeland and Ja’Markis Weston are listed as co-starters to return kickoffs, with Elam getting the nod on punt returns. Redshirt freshman Fenley Graham, who was recruited to UF largely for his return skills, is nowhere to be found.
Of course, this depth chart is unofficial and may not reflect the order in which guys actually play during the game. We’ll find out where the players actually stand soon enough.
“Yeah, well, I guess that’s today’s depth chart,” Mullen said. “It changes every day. Show up on Saturday, you get to see who starts.”