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Gators take some defensive hits, but will likely be strong again
By John Hollis
Published:
The departed Vernon Hargreaves III was the headliner, but the case could be made that fellow Florida cornerback Jalen Tabor had the better year last fall.
Tabor, a first-team All-SEC pick, is among the key returners coach Jim McElwain will welcome back this fall in the hopes of offsetting the many big-name losses the Gators suffered from last year’s defensive unit that ranked 11th nationally in points allowed (18.3).
Whether Florida can again play at that same high pitch remains to be seen, but the Gators will likely again be strong defensively.
Hargreaves, a first-team All-American, was among the five Florida underclassmen to leave school early for the NFL, three of whom played defense. Strong safety Keanu Neal and defensive end Alex McCalister also opted early for the pros.
Their defections plus the losses of two key seniors in middle linebacker Antonio Morrison and defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard guarantee that defensive coordinator Geoff Collins will be busy this spring getting so many new faces acclimated. There could be some growing pains early as the new faces feel their way.
McCalister and Bullard had a team-high 6.5 sacks apiece last season.
Bullard’s loss will be felt in production and leadership, but the Gators have enough capable players up front to make amends. Junior-to-be Jordan Sherit had a strong year and will be joined on the ends by the proven Bryan Cox Jr. and promising CeCe Jefferson, with redshirt freshman defensive tackle Andrew Ivie also expected to make some noise. Cox, Jefferson and Ivie had 3.5 sacks apiece last season.
Linebacker will pose a particular challenge, however, as the Gators enter the spring with just six scholarship players at that position.
Rising senior Jarrad Davis has the makings of a star, but the limited numbers and lack of experience will likely mean that true freshman and early enrollee David Reese and redshirt freshman Rayshad Jackson will be asked to contribute right away. In 2015, Davis was second on the team in total tackles with 98. He also had 3.5 sacks, intercepted a pass and had 11 tackles for losses.
And he’ll have plenty of help this fall.
Tabor, a lockdown cornerback, recorded four interceptions to match the more heralded Hargreaves for the team-high last season, including two for touchdowns. He and rising junior and Quincy Wilson will give Florida another outstanding tandem on the corners. Incoming freshman Chauncey Gardner, another early enrollee, is set to also see action.
The return of Davis and free safety Marcus Maye was a coup of sorts for Collins, as both mulled a jump to the NFL. Maye’s decision was especially critical after Neal declared for the draft.
Maye is coming off a breakout junior campaign that saw him start the final 12 games. He finished fourth on the team in tackles with 82 and added two interceptions.
John Hollis is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Georgia and Florida.
