There’re many question marks surrounding the Florida Gators as Head Coach Billy Napier trots out a new quarterback and defensive play caller to start the 2023 season. The Gators are set to travel to Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Utes on August 31st.
Gator Country previews the upcoming season with a roundtable discussion, providing predictions for Florida’s team.
What are your keys for this team to be successful on offense?
NM: The key to Florida’s offense in 2023 is pass protection. Graham Mertz is the new quarterback in town and the Gators’ offensive line will need to give him ample time to throw the ball. If Mertz has time to throw, he will be able to take what the defense is giving him and get the ball into the hands of Florida’s playmakers.
GH: Last season, the running game was the heart and soul of this offense but was never enough to have consistent success offensively. The level of play we get this season from Graham Mertz will be the deciding factor on just how successful this offense is in 2023. The offensive line can’t take very many steps back and Mertz must be a good game manager and make good decisions with the football consistently.
AS: The obvious answer would be Graham Mertz but I’m going with the offensive line. If the offensive line can replace O’Cyrus Torrence and Richard Gouraige then I think this team can move the ball more than people expect. We all know how good the running backs are and if the line can create holes for these guys then it will help the passing game and Mertz.
What are your keys for this team to be successful on defense?
NM: It all starts with the defensive line. In 2022, Florida didn’t have depth along the defensive line, forcing star defensive lineman Gervon Dexter to play the most snaps by a Gators’ DT in the PFF Era. With the transfer additions of Caleb Banks and Cam’Ron Jackson, Florida should have a number of players they can rotate in at defensive tackle. Getting constant pressure on the QB and stopping the run will allow more production from other position groups.
GH: The biggest key for me starts with the defensive line finishing plays when getting to the quarterback, as well as a huge improvement in the secondary in terms of coverage and tackling. I think bringing in Austin Armstrong was a blessing in disguise for the Gators. In my opinion, I don’t think Patrick Toney can connect with players and simplify a defensive scheme as well as Coach Armstrong can. I think Caleb Banks and Cam’Ron Jackson give the defense the depth needed to find sustained success with a new and improved Princely Umanmielen off the edge and a number of young talent behind him. The secondary is young, but the talent has improved, and I think having Coach Armstrong and Coach Raymond working together will mend that group with an improved front seven. Shemar James is a player who I think dramatically improves that linebacker room from a coverage standpoint.
AS: Play as a unit, that sounds simple but last year at times the defense looked lost and guys were doing their own thing because of not knowing the correct thing to do. Austin Armstrong and the defensive staff have these guys playing faster and thinking less and that will help this team.
Who will be the offensive MVP?
NM: Ricky Pearsall. The senior receiver is returning for his fifth collegiate season and second at Florida. Pearsall is a dynamic athlete that has contributed in both the passing and running game. The 6-1, 190-pounder averaged 20.0 yards per catch a season ago, proving he is more than capable of beating defenders on deeper routes. Look for Pearsall to line up at multiple receiver positions and potentially out of the backfield as well.
GH: I think Trevor Etienne has a great chance to really lead this offense and be the most valuable piece when looking at the offensive side of the ball for the Gators. Etienne rushed for 716 yards and six touchdowns as a true freshman last season.
AS: I’m going to go with Trever Etienne, I think he makes a few more explosive plays than Johnson. Both guys could be the MVP but since I have to pick one, I’ll go with Etienne.
Who will be the defensive MVP?
NM: Cam’Ron Jackson. The 6-6, 360-pound junior will be a force on the Gators’ defensive line in 2023. Despite his massive size, Jackson moves really well. The Haynesville, Louisiana native will play a huge role in Florida’s defense, which is looking to take significant strides in 2023.
GH: I almost went with Princely Umanmielen, but I think Shemar James has a great chance at really reviving this linebacker unit with his skill set. Ventrell Miller and Amari Burney became great players late in their career but weren’t the greatest in coverage. Teradja Mitchell is another player who has an opportunity to make a big name for himself this season.
AS: Shemar James, he’s the linebacker and captain of the defense and his impact will be felt this year. James is an all-around good linebacker and as long as he stays healthy he should lead the team in tackles.
Who will be the most valuable freshman?
NM: Jordan Castell. The Winer Garden, Florida product has worked his way into the two-deep for one of the weaker positions on the roster. Castell has a chance to make a positive impact for the Gators’ secondary in 2023.
GH: I think the most valuable freshman this season will be Eugene Wilson. With Wilson not early enrolling, I didn’t expect the freshman to have such a big impact on the practice field early on. I almost said Andy Jean, but I think Wilson brings a specific skill set that could hold more value for the Gators in 2023.
AS: Andy Jean. The Gators are lacking some at the receiver position and Jean has the chance to start or at least play a lot of snaps and he brings something different to the table with his speed and catching ability. I think Jean and Eugene Wilson III will have big years.
Who will be the breakout player of the year?
NM: Caleb Douglas. The 6-3, 200-pound receiver appeared in eight straight games to end the 2022 season including two starts during his freshman campaign. Douglas has put on nearly ten pounds of muscle this offseason while improving his route running and break off the line of scrimmage. Douglas will look to breakout in 2023 after catching 10 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns a year ago.
GH: I think Ricky Pearsall could very well be the breakout player for Florida this season with better quarterback play. The Gators’ leading receiver last season finished the year with 661 yards and five touchdowns.
AS: I could’ve went with Kelby Collins as the most valuable freshman but I think Collins will be one of the Gators’ best players no matter the year. Collins is a really good defensive lineman that doesn’t look or play like a freshman and the nation will know his name after this year. Collins will be able to play multiple spots on the defensive line with his length and size.
What will the Gators’ record be at the end of the season?
NM: 7-5. I think the Gators will outperform their low expectations for the 2023 season, and that starts with a win over Utah in week one.
GH: This is a season where we don’t really know how good or bad this team will be heading into week one. I truly think this team can find eight wins if the Gators can get good quarterback play out of Graham Mertz with an improved defense. However, if those two things don’t happen consistently, I see this Florida team finishing the season going 7-5.
AS: I’m going with 7-5 but 8-4 is something that I can see happening. The Utah and Tennessee games will determine a lot for this team because wins in both of those games and and you’re battling for 8 or 9 wins but losses in those games and things could go south quick.
What game is the most important to the season?
NM: The most important game of the season is Kentucky. Florida hasn’t beat the Wildcats since 2020, making this year’s game critical. Not only is it important to stop Kentucky’s two-year winning streak, but this game serves as a swing game for the Gators season as the matchup comes in week five and is the second SEC game on the schedule.
GH: I said Utah last year, and I’m going to say Utah again. I think this year is even more important for the Gators because it gives the team a second chance to carry over that momentum from a Utah win for the first five games of the season. Sitting at 2-0 with Tennessee rolling into the swamp would be the best-case scenario for the Gators.
AS: The Tennessee game is a big one for several reason, like I mentioned above that game could determine whether the record improves this year or not but also it’s a big one for Napier to get a win over a rival. Josh Huepel and the Vols have some momentum and a win for Florida would slow that momentum down.
Outside of winning the championship, what will make this season a successful one?
NM: Florida has one of the hardest schedules in college football, so I’m not sure that looking at the Gators’ final record will be a good indicator of progress made. I do think that it’s important for the Gators to finish with a winning record, especially with a great recruiting class intact. Ultimately, I am looking for progress on the defensive side of the ball. If Florida wants to get back to the big stage, they need to fix their recent defensive woes, and that starts with defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong.
GH: The Gators need to find at least seven wins in my opinion, and you can’t lose to teams like Vanderbilt. This team needs to see some sort of improvement from last season, and you have to win the big games against teams like Florida State, Tennessee or Kentucky.
AS: Showing the signs of improvement that Napier has talked about all offseason. The defense playing better and as a group but also the offense showing improvement. Having a better record is something everyone wants but you can show improvement outside of that. If some of the freshmen show out that will only help Napier and his staff when it comes to recruiting.