GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The winds of attrition breezed through The Swamp again this winter, with Florida making 30 total scholarship roster additions and 21 subtractions via the NCAA transfer portal, along with several departing players heading toward the NFL Draft or their post-football careers.
All Gators is breaking down each position on Florida’s roster as the team approaches spring training camp, reviewing the performances of each group in 2023 and previewing their makeup for the 2024 season.
Following our analyses of the quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, offensive line, interior defensive line, edge rusher and linebacker corps, we move to the backend of the defense with the safety group and STAR nickel corners.
If required, All Gators will revisit positions affected by the spring transfer portal window later this offseason. We will offer final depth chart projections during Florida’s fall training camp in August.
2023 SEASON IN REVIEW: FLORIDA’S SAFETIES AND STAR NICKEL CORNERS
In what looked to be a year of improvement under new defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong, the wheels of Florida’s defense fell off quickly.
Florida’s defensive backs, notably the safeties and STARs (slot cornerback) continued to struggle in coverage and in run support as Florida trudged to a 5-7 last season.
On the year, Florida gave up 226.7 passing yards per game and had only three interceptions as a team, although two of them came from the safety group. However, those numbers were even worse during the Gators’ five-game losing streak to end the season.
Over the final five games of the season, which included four matchups with ranked opponents, Florida gave up an astounding 281.4 passing yards per game and had three quarterbacks throw for over 300 yards in that time. They also only intercepted one pass in those five games.
Individually, things weren’t much better.
First, veteran backup slot corner Jadarrius Perkins left the team shortly following Week 1, after two seasons with Florida.
Former five-star Kamari Wilson, who many expected to start this season, completely disappeared from the depth chart and was not a member of the “travel roster” for the majority of the campaign, according to Napier.
