Florida football looks destined to finally make playoff push in 2020
Youth leading Florida’s defense
The defense for the Gators is rarely an issue due to the dominance they bring year in and year out. Last season, the Gators defense was ranked seventh in the nation (second in the SEC) in points allowed per game (15.5) and ninth in the nation (second in the SEC) in total yards allowed per game (304.8).
This season, the Gators look to keep the same production with Todd Grantham entering his third season as the team’s defensive coordinator. While the Gators only return five full-time starters from last season, there are plenty of players that will step up because of their depth and production from last year.
The biggest loss on the defense might be their leading sacker in defensive end in Jonathan Greenard, who accounted for 16 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in 2019. He was largely responsible for the Gators’ pass rush last season which accounted for 49 sacks.
The Gators will look to redshirt junior defensive end Zachary Carter, who accounted for 4.5 sacks in 13 games played last season. They will return senior nose tackle Kyree Campbell as a starter, who accounted for 39 total tackles and four tackles for loss.
The Gators’ defense ranked eighth in the nation (second in the SEC) in rushing yards allowed per game (102.8). The linebacker corps was one of the most reliable units on defense in terms of depth and production. The loss of David Reese will be significant, but they will return Ventrell Miller, who was second on the team in total tackles accounted for (55).
Grantham feels very comfortable with James Houston IV starting for the Gators after accounting for 37 total tackles, five tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks last season.
Florida seems like a factory of NFL-caliber defensive backs, especially at the cornerback position. They lost their main man-coverage cornerback in C.J. Henderson, who accounted for 11 pass deflections. They will rely on their new number one cornerback in Marco Wilson, who can play cornerback and nickel. Sophomore Kaiir Elam will be making his first full season as one of the main cornerbacks. Elam is the nephew of former Gators safety and NFL veteran Matt Elam.
Shawn Davis returns as the starting safety for the Gators after accounting for 51 total tackles (fourth highest on the team), 33 solo tackles and three interceptions last season.
The Gators’ defense looks to be more consistent against defending the passing game as they were ranked 32nd in the nation (sixth in the SEC) in passing yards allowed per game (202.1).