With spring football officially over, Gator Country provides our way too early 2023 two-deep depth chart projection.
OFFENSIVE DEPTH CHART
QUARTERBACK
Starter: Graham Mertz
Backup: Jack Miller
ANALYSIS
It’s still an open competition for QB1 between Graham Mertz and Jack Miller, but I have Mertz taking the first snap for the Gators in 2023 as of right now. He is far more experienced and started the spring game with the first team. It’s important to note that Florida will look at adding another QB to the room in the summer.
WIDE RECEIVER
Starter Y: Ricky Pearsall
Starter Z: Xzaiver Henderson
Starter X: Caleb Douglas
Backup Y: Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman OR Eugene Wilson
Backup Z: Marcus Burke OR Andy Jean
Backup X: Ja’Quavion Fraziars OR Adian Mizell
ANALYSIS
I’m fairly confident that Pearsall, Henderson, and Douglas will be the starting group against Utah on August 31st. I also believe that all three of Florida’s freshman receivers will push for significant playing time within the rotation.
The Gators’ WR room is deep with talent, but someone is going to need to step up to take the pressure off of Florida’s star receiver, Ricky Pearsall.
RUNNING BACKS
Starter: Montrell Johnson OR Trevor Etienne
Backup: Cam Carroll
Other: Treyaun Webb
ANALYSIS
Montrell Johnson and Trevor Etienne will split time as RB1, much like they did last season.
Cam Carroll will have a role within the Gators’ offense in 2023, potentially used as a third down back given his athleticism and pass catching ability.
While true freshman Treyuan Webb won’t take snaps away from those three, I wouldn’t count him out from playing a role in 2023. He put together an impressive spring camp and the staff is high on him.
The Gators’ running back room is THE clear-cut strength of the roster.
TIGHT END
Starter: Dante Zanders OR Arlis Boardingham
Backup: Hayden Hansen
Other: Jonothan Odom and Tony Livingston
ANALYSIS
The Gators lost their most experienced tight end in Keon Zipperer following a torn ACL in spring camp. Florida will lean on veteran Dante Zanders, who has improved from a physical standpoint during the offseason. Zanders has slimmed down and appears to be much quicker in and out of his routes.
I grouped Arlis Boardingham with the starting unit because more often than that, Billy Napier will run a two-tight end set. Boardingham is the best pass catcher out of this group.
Another tight end that has taken major strides is redshirt freshman Hayden Hansen. His confidence within the system has grown and the results are showing up on the field. Hansen is known for his blocking, but he’s been working on improving his pass catching ability and I witnessed flashes throughout spring camp.
Jonothan Odom’s injury is holding him back from rising on the depth chart.
OFFENSIVE LINE
LT: Austin Barber, Kamryn Waites
LG: Knijeah Harris, Christian Williams, Micah Mazzccua
C: Kingsley Eguakun, Jake Slaughter
RG: Richie Leonard, Jalen Farmer
RT: Damieon George OR Kiyaunta Goodwin
ANALYSIS
I’m skeptical that Mazzccua will be available for week one, so I pushed him towards the back of the depth chart for now.
Kamryn Waites is expected back at some point during the season, but not before fall camp. If he does return, I expect him to provide quality depth at almost any position along the OL.
Right tackle and left guard are the two position battles to watch out for during fall camp.
DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Starter: Cam’Ron Jackson
Starter: Chris McClellan
Backup: Desmond Watson
Backup: Caleb Banks or Tyreak Sapp
Other: Jamari Lyons
ANALYSIS
Cam’Ron Jackson and Desmond Watson will rotate throughout the majority of games in 2023, helping each other stay fresh for four quarters.
Tyreak Sapp is an undersized interior lineman standing at 6-3, 271 pounds, but his athleticism makes him a valuable piece to this unit.
Gator Country has witnessed redshirt freshman Jamari Lyons improve drastically throughout spring football; I believe there’s a chance he makes his way into the rotation, so I couldn’t leave his name off the depth chart.
EDGE
Starter: Princely Umanmielen
Starter: Antwuan Powell-Ryland
Backup: Justus Boone
Backup: Jack Pyburn
Other: Kelby Collins OR TJ Searcy OR Scooby Williams
ANALYSIS
Princely Umanmielen and Antwuan Powell-Ryland handled most of the edge rushing duties last year, and I expect it to be the same in 2023. However, Florida has much more depth at the position with the addition of many talented freshman. Kelby Collins and TJ Searcy appear to be the most polished newcomers as of right now, but they also have true freshman Kamran James in the mix.
LINEBACKER
Starter: Shemar James
Starter: Teradja Mitchell
Backup: Mannie Nunnery or Scooby Williams
Backup: Derek Wingo
ANALYSIS
I think the committee approach is the likely scenario with the linebacker group in 2023. Mannie Nunnery will see significant reps as his versatility and coverage skills will allow him to see the field on many third downs.
It’s unclear what position Scooby Williams will see the field at, as he’s been cross trained at edge and ILB throughout spring.
Derek Wingo will have an important role on this team as well, but with him missing all of spring camp with an injury, I’m giving the veteran Teradja Mitchell the starting nod.
CORNERBACK
Starter: Jason Marshall
Starter: Devin Moore
Backup: Ja’keem Jackson
Backup: Jalen Kimber
ANALYSIS
If Devin Moore is fully healthy to start the season, I believe he will be the starting cornerback across from Jason Marshall. The staff really likes what Moore he brings to the table at the cornerback position. His height, length, and verified speed is something that this coaching staff looks for in just about every player.
Ja’Keem Jackson will be in the rotation this season, as he has impressed throughout spring camp.
STAR / NICKEL
Starter: Jaydon Hill
Backup: Jadarrius Perkins OR Sharif Denson
ANALYSIS
Jaydon Hill moved to STAR during the offseason, allowing for more depth at the position. Jadarrius Perkins has plenty of experience and will provide quality depth for the Gators. True freshman Sharif Denson has worked with STAR and the safeties this spring. The Gators’ staff loves Denson’s versatility, they believe he can play any defensive back position. He’s going to be a nice piece to have moving forward.
SAFETY
Starter: Miguel Mitchell
Starter: Kamari Wilson
Backup: Jordan Castell
Backup: Bryce Thornton or Dakota Mitchell
ANALYSIS
Miguel Mitchell and Kamari Wilson are expected to be the Gators’ starting safeties in 2023 as of right now, but Florida will look into adding a player at this position during the summer, as it is by far the thinnest unit on the roster.
The backup safeties have little to no experience at the college level.
A reminder that Florida will look to add players via the transfer portal this offseason, which could make this depth chart to look totally different come fall.