Florida Football: Definitive all-time 2-deep Gators depth chart

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GAINESVILLE, FL – NOVEMBER 7: Cornerback Joe Haden #5 of the Florida Gators sets on defense against the Vanderbilt Commodores on November 7, 2009 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /

Defensive Backs

Starting cornerbacks: Joe Haden, Keiwan Ratliff
Backup: Lito Sheppard

Joe Haden is one of the most recent greats from the University of Florida or as some call it, DBU – Defensive Back University. As a lockdown corner for the 2008 national championship team, Haden earned First-Team All-SEC and All-American honors. He finished his career with 34 pass breakups and eight interceptions and was drafted in the first round of the NFL draft in 2010.

Keiwan Ratliff embodied the very definition of a ballhawk. After hauling in nine interceptions in 2003, Ratliff set the Gator record for interception in a single season and tied the single-game record with three picks against Arkansas. Ratliff also holds the record for punt return yards. He was named a “Gator Great” in 2013.

Lito Sheppard was Steve Spurrier’s best cornerback during his coaching career. As a sophomore, Sheppard was named First-Team All-American and First-Team All-SEC. Additionally, he averaged over 22 yards per return while returning punts during his three-year Gator career and recorded eight interceptions.

Starting safeties: Lawrence Wright, Reggie Nelson
Backup: Louis Oliver

As the only Gator to win the Jim Thorpe Award for the best defensive back in the country, Lawrence Wright earned the title of best safety in Gator history. Wright captained a defense that helped lead the Gators to their first national championship in 1996 while also earning First-Team All-SEC and Second-Team All-American honors. Wright found himself the anchor of four SEC championship teams from 1993-96.

Though he only wore a Gator jersey for two seasons, Reggie Nelson used his short time to accomplish much. Known as “The Eraser” for the 2006 national championship team, Nelson’s teammates voted him the team’s most valuable player. He also earned All-SEC and All-American honors.

Wright and Nelson may be our starters, but Louis Oliver roamed the field before either and should not be forgotten. From former walk-on to two-time First-Team All-American, Oliver was also named to two SEC Academic Honor Rolls. Oliver was named a “Gator Great” in 2000.

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