Florida Football: Top 5 spring 2019 position battles to watch

4. Cornerback

Just like at the receiver position, the cornerback position is loaded with depth and talent. Well deserved is the respect heaped upon C.J. Henderson and he’s a lock to hold down one of the cornerback positions. Who plays the majority of snaps as the other cornerback promises to be a more interesting question.

Before a season-ending injury stole the majority of his season, Marco Wilson provided Florida with a potent one-two punch at cornerback. If Wilson returns to his previous form, he’ll no doubt return to his role playing opposite of Henderson. However, Wilson isn’t 100 percent yet, which opens the door for others to make a run at the position during spring.

Trey Dean is one of those players. Dean gained invaluable experience as a freshman when he filled in for Wilson following the injury. The coaches seem to be grooming Dean to replace Chauncey Gardner-Johnson at the nickel position, but he could retain his role at corner if Wilson isn’t ready.

Another reason this position battle is so intriguing this spring is the arrival of early-enrollee cornerback Chris Steele. According to Edgar Thompson of the Orlando Sentinel, Steele has been practicing with the starters while Wilson continues to recover. If Steele shows out during spring, expect to see him vie for playing time when the season arrives.