Florida Football: 3 way-too-early breakout candidates for 2022

Florida football had a disappointing 2021 season which resulted in the firing of Dan Mullen. Which players can lead the turnaround in 2022?

Out with Dan Mullen and in with Billy Napier. Florida football has gone from underwhelming to exciting and the new boss has yet to coach a single game in Gainesville.

The Gators need to squeeze all the talent they can out of the guys currently on the roster and it’s not like it’s lacking. There are plenty of former top-ranked recruits on the roster and Napier should have a fun time piecing together a winning team.

However, he’s going to need some young guys to step up and become stars in a hurry.

Which Gators could break out in 2022?

Jeremiah “Scooby” Williams was one of Florida’s top recruits in the 2021 class and he had a fairly quiet true freshman season, finishing with three total tackles in two games.

With so many departures on the defensive line this offseason, Florida will need some of the younger studs to step up and that includes the former top-100 recruit from Birmingham, Ala.

Williams was ranked the No. 74 recruit in the 2021 class as well as the fifth-best edge rusher, according to the composite. He’s 6-foot-3 and 224 pounds and Barton Simmons of 247Sports says he has future Day 2 NFL draft potential and compares him to Titans star Rashaan Evans. He’s got great speed and athleticism, he just needs to bulk up a bit.

One season is in the books and he’s learned a bit as a backup and will take that and become a star on that defensive line in 2022.