With the Florida Gators’ 2024 fall training camp coming to a close and attention turning to the season’s opening game against Miami, it’s time to take a look at the Gators’ roster.
Alligators illustrated gives his official prediction and a preview for each position. After previous analysis of the Edge striker, inner defense line And LinebackersLet’s finish the defense with a look at the secondary.
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive line
Corner
Starters: Jason Marshall Jr., Devin Moore OR Ja’Keem Jackson
Backup: Dijon Johnson, Trikweze Bridges, Jameer Grimsley
Reserve (*denotes extras): Teddy Foster, Cormani McClain*, Alfonzo Allen Jr.*
STAR
starter: Sharif Denson OR Aaron Gates
Backup: DJ Douglas, Trikweze Bridges, Josiah Davis
Reserve (*denotes extra): Ahman Covington*
Security
Starters: Jordan Castell, Asa Turner
Backup: Bryce Thornton, DJ Douglas, Greg Smith III
Reserve (*denotes extras): Cahron Rackley*, Brayden Slade*, Ethan Wilson*
Position overview
Florida’s secondary education probably experienced the most extensive overhaul from 2023 to 2024 with a new position coach and probably three new full-time starters, and that was necessary. Consistent tackling problems and only three interceptions plagued the group throughout.
As a result, Florida made a leadership change in the room and had to transfer six players from the beginning of 2023 to today.
After Corey Raymond’s firing, Billy Napier hired Will Harris from the Los Angeles Chargers to lead the group. Communication was a key during his young tenure with the Gators.
“We’re all in the same room this year. We’re all on the same page. It’s not like we’re going out to practice — and I’m not trying to compare things to last year — but the communication is so much better,” safety Jordan Castell said. “We see things quicker, things like that.”
Moving on to the players: Senior corner Jason Marshall Jr. returns for what he and Napier call a “contract year.” In several media appearances this fall, Marshall Jr. explained how he began to lose confidence after a rough 2023 season. This year seems to be different, as the former five-star recruit enters a pivotal season.
“I feel very confident. I know I said that in a previous media interview. I feel like I’m regaining my confidence,” he said. “I’ve been through spring and fall camp, I’m moving well, I feel good, my psyche is good. I feel good because I have all that back.”
His job is to lead the group, especially for the two players vying for the starting spot opposite him: junior Devin Moore, who has consistently performed brilliantly in an injury-plagued career, and sophomore Ja’Keem Jackson.
Moore, who would likely be the clear starter early in the season, battled tonsillitis throughout training camp, forcing him to miss several practices and the second game of scrimmage. Before the injury, Moore was praised for making significant changes in the weight room and showing a strong early portion of training camp, to the point where receiver Eugene Wilson III said he believed Moore would be selected in the first round.
Whether that happens remains to be seen, but once Moore overcomes his tonsil problems, his presence on the field will be a confidence boost for those around him.
“I’m glad to have him back, glad to have him back. Like you said, he’s healthy, that’s the good thing,” Marshall Jr. said. “I just have him on the other side where I can trust him. He’s going to play, I’m going to play. The most important thing is that he’s healthy and hopefully stays healthy.”
However, it remains to be seen how ready Moore is for the season opener, so it would not be a surprise to see Jackson start, as he has more experience than the others and cannot capitalize on his untapped talent.
Marshall is paired with safety Castell as the primary returner in the secondary. Castell was thrown in at the deep end as a true freshman last season, but his experience is a cause for excitement. He led the Gators with 59 tackles in his first season, and that was after spending most of his high school career as a corner.
“Last year they kind of helped us because I feel a lot more comfortable this year,” he said. “Last year there was a lot going on. I was like, ‘Man, I’ve never played in front of this many people. This is crazy.’ All the fans, all the people, especially Tennessee. Tennessee was flying around the ball as soon as they got a snap. But this year I feel a lot more comfortable, but it’s not just me. It’s all the freshmen that have come with me. So that’s definitely a good thing for me.”
A trio of transfers stand out in the second group as players with immediate impact, led by former Washington safety Asa Turner, who appears to be in the best position to counter Castell given his ability as a sure tackler and his previous experience under Harris.
Not to mention, he brings valuable experience from a successful program in Washington that finished as the College Football Playoff runner-up. He believes Florida is making the right changes to put itself in a position to compete.
“I’ve heard from people who have been here five years that it’s come to this, and even me, who’s been here six months, it’s come to this,” Turner said. “So I think the culture and everything that Coach Napier brings, all the new staff, all the players from the transfer portal, we’re bringing the right culture and hopefully we’re making some changes here.”
Former Tulane defensive back DJ Douglas and former Oregon defensive back Trikweze Bridges are not only experienced players, but they also bring versatility. Both can play almost any position in the secondary.
Starting with Douglas, He gained most of his experience in the position of deep safety with 277 snaps. He logged 201 snaps as a box safety, 157 snaps as a STAR, and 13 as an outside corner, but considering who worked as a STAR and corner, it would make the most sense to see Douglas deep in the secondary.
Bridges, on the other hand, has played over 1,000 snaps as an outside corner for Oregon and could play a role there, although he expected to move to the safety position during his transfer recruiting process. He has also seen snaps as a STAR in camp.
At STAR, there has been a competition between sophomore Sharif Denson and redshirt freshman Aaron Gates since the spring. Denson has the advantage of previous playing experience, but Gates has fought hard for the starting spot.
“This is his first attempt, his first attempt, and he’s in the thick of it,” Napier said. “Every day is critical for him. There are some very competitive matchups in the slot. That’s a very important part of our defense, that players are heavily involved in the run adjustment and the coverage. So you have to be a smart player.”
It’s unclear who has the edge, as Napier and co-defensive coordinator Ron Roberts previously stated that both are still in the midst of a competition for the spot. Roberts even stated that Douglas, Bridges and Turner have also spent some time in the spot.
However, with a need elsewhere, Denson and Gates will lead the way, with one of the transfers factoring into the rotation depending on the scheme or player availability.
Unlike the other positions on defense, the secondary group has benefited from a rotation in recent seasons. The problem was that the rotation just wasn’t good enough to compete at a high level. From communication issues to inconsistency in tackling to an inability to force turnovers, this group has hurt Florida in more ways than one in recent seasons.
That is all in the past, though. Napier made changes to the room with Harris, who in turn made his own changes that instilled confidence in players. Not to mention this group of Portal players, which includes true newbies James Grimsley and redshirt freshman walk-on Cormani McClain have filled in for veterans who were missing.
It may take some time to get used to all these changes, but it seems like the Gators are better positioned in the defensive backfield than in past seasons.
“I think the defense has improved a lot. I’m excited for this year,” said Marshall Jr. “I’m just at a loss for words about the turnaround the defense has made. I’m excited.”
