Florida Gators fall camp Q&A: How ready is Florida for Miami?

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators are just over two weeks away from the 2024 season. As we get closer to the start of the season we wanted to check in with our members at Gators Online to answer any questions and you all delivered. Without any further ado, let’s dive in.

Florida Gators Q&A with Gators Online members

GoGators: While we appear to have a much-improved S&C program, how much improvement in play do you expect from that as well as is one offseason enough to get them where they need to be for the season vs 2 off-season in the program?

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to go behind the scenes for several days with the strength and conditioning program. I know the most popular guy is always the NEW guy, so I went into the meeting with a fair deal of skepticism. I came out of those few days bought into what Tyler Miles does. His approach is all data-driven. Having Jake Sankal handle the nutrition and how strictly they monitor and hold the guys to a standard was impressive. The results speak for themself. The team looks physically more impressive. I think we’ll see that on the field this season. I also think Billy Napier has found his guy in Miles.

BoCarroll2: How much rotation do you expect at STAR? Do Denson, Gates, or Bridges cross-train at CB?

I think Sharif Denson will get the start there and Aaron Gates backs him up. Both Trikweze Bridges and DJ Douglas can play there but Denson and Gates are really the ones to watch here.

GatorLifer: Pass rush and penetration. Are we getting pressure on QB in practice/scrimmage, are we getting TFLs, who will be the top disrupters?

I’m getting mixed reviews about the pass rush and how much pressure Florida is getting off the edges. It hasn’t been enough for me to sound the alarms but I have had a few people question that aspect of the defense.

TebowTheGoat: Do you expect Florida will be able to generate turnovers this year? We were T129/129 in interceptions last year and T107/129 in fumbles recovered. Are we working on anything to try to generate more turnovers?

Yeah, I think that number will go up this season. They are emphasizing creating turnovers on defense. If the secondary doesn’t get three in a practice during team periods they have to run. They’re making a point to make it a point, the players need to execute.

904KD: Should we be concerned about the WR position?

I’m the guy who was screaming that Florida needed to find help for Eugene Wilson in the transfer portal, so you might think I would be the first to say, yes, you should be concerned. However, I think the Gators did what they needed to do. Chimere Dike didn’t have a great season in 2023 but he had a career year in 2022 with Graham Mertz as his quarterback at Wisconsin. He’s also PR’d his top-end speed multiple times since getting to Gainesville and into Tyler Miles’ program this offseason and has topped out at 22 MPH. He’s a different player than he’s shown at Wisconsin and even from what we saw in the spring.

I think Florida’s receiver room is really solid. You have Eugene Wilson who will be force-fed the football. Kahleil Jackson keeps getting better and is getting more opportunities. Elijhah Badger continues to pick things up and will play a ton. There is still some projecting what we think Aidan Mizell , Andy Jean , Tank Hawkins , and TJ Abrams can be, but I think they found some good players there. Overall, I think Florida did a really good job in recruiting and getting more speed in that room.

GatorPrado: Do we know which assistants will be up in the box? And will they be able to talk to the helmet on the field?

I’ve asked and Florida says they’re still working that out. I would expect Ron Roberts and Jonathan Decoster but they haven’t made a final decision yet.

FSUCKS: You and other reporters have expressed concern over the right side of the line (think pretty much every fan as well). How concerned should we be?

I’ve based my opinion on the offensive line from what I’ve been told by sources that I trust who are at practice and scrimmage. Again, this is the area where I’m the furthest away from what the coaching staff says publically. The starting offensive line remains (left to right) Austin Barber , Knijeah Harris , Jake Slaughter , Damieon George , and Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson .

I even wrote really positively about George after I got the chance to go inside the strength and conditioning program and all of the work he has done to try and change his body this offseason.

[Related: Increased dedication gave immediate results for Damieon George]

I just haven’t gotten any reports back that make me think Florida’s going to be really good on the right side of the line. It will probably end up somewhere between what I think they’ll look like and what the staff thinks they will. As long as it falls on the right side of average, Florida’s offense should be able to score some points.

JPoole18: How much of an improvement, in your honest opinion has the defense had and why haven’t we heard much about Austin Armstrong?

I’m starting to drink the Kool-Aid on the defense. I really like what Florida did in the portal and the additions they brought in. I think Asa Turner could be an All-SEC safety and getting his experience and ability back there to go with Jordan Castell ‘s athleticism, range, and the experience he got as a freshman will help the entire secondary.

I think Florida is a much better tackling team with Turner, Shemar James , Derek Wingo , Pup Howard , Myles Graham , and Aaron Chile s all playing linebacker. I think the future at linebacker with those last three players I mentioned is really bright, too.

Up front, they have to be able to create some disruption on the line of scrimmage and Florida needs TJ Searcy , Justus Boone have to be able to create pressures, hurries, hits, and sacks this season.

[RELATED: Jason Marshall talks about regaining his confidence]

Copeman Rapid Fire

Q: With Ron Roberts in the mix at DC, way more depth along the line and defensive backs, and our worst tacklers transferring out and having some great tacklers transferring in, do we finally see a defense that will be at least in the top 7 or 8 in the SEC?

Yes. I think so. Again, I’m much higher on the defense than I was at this time last year. I think the one thing I’m unsure on is if they’ll be able to get consistent pressure. Have heard mixed reviews about that from sources but I think they have talent on the edges.

Q: Everyone was worried the wide receiver position with Pearsall getting drafted but with Dike being much faster than anticipated, badger, EWIII, k jack as our starting receivers it’s hard not to get excited about what this group can do. Especially with the guys behind them for depth. Do you have a feeling this could actually be the best unit this team fields this year and because of that, do you see us going to more single tight end sets?

Florida was actually in more 11 personnel than 12 last year but, yeah. I think they completely overhauled the WR room and they have weapons there. They just need the offensive line to hold up, keep Mertz on his feet and he can find them.

Q: Do you expect the team to not look so bad when we play away games like we did this year. Has Billy or any of the other coaches mentioned changing up how they prepare for away games? Do you think it will be an easier transition now that we have more depth and guys that have experience in the team?

Away games should be better from an operational standpoint with the experience the young players got last year. I’m probably a “believe it when I see it” stance on that though. That first road trip to Mississippi State should, in my opinion, be a win and a good first run at an away game and how to handle it before a massive test in Knoxville.

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