Gators Fall Camp 2023: Notes and ILB Focus on Day 4

All Gators kept an eye on Florida's inside linebacker position on day four of fall camp following projected starter Shemar James' recent practice injury.

Photo: Florida linebacker Derek Wingo and coach Jay Bateman; Credit: Zach Goodall

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- A dress rehearsal of sorts, Florida took the field for day four of fall camp on Friday, just over 24 hours before opening the gates of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and inviting fans to observe the Gators in the practice setting on Saturday.

You can find more information about the open practice here, as well as All Gators' notes and observations from day four of fall camp below. The daily participation report has been updated, and our positional focus was on the inside linebackers as the group prepares for the season without a key contributor temporarily due to a recent injury. 

Check out All Gators' takeaways from Florida's previous fall practices: 

Notes and Photo Gallery From Day 1

Notes and Quarterback Video From Day 2

Notes and Observations From Day 3

Gators Fall Camp 2023: Day 4 Notes and Observations

#Gators freshman WR Eugene Wilson III shed his no-contact jersey today. Here he is in individual drills. pic.twitter.com/3mvjS2Jxbv

— Zach Goodall (@zach_goodall) August 4, 2023

• Players continued to wear shells — helmets and shoulder pads — on Friday. 
• Sophomore linebacker Shemar James was not observed in attendance during the media viewing window of Friday's practice. He suffered a leg injury during Wednesday's practice, as All Gators first reported and Napier confirmed on Thursday. Napier labeled James' status "day-to-day, to be determined."
• As Napier foreshadowed on Thursday, two wide receivers — freshman Eugene Wilson III and sophomore Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman — were elevated from limited to full participation on Friday. Wilson, one of UF's prized class of 2023 signees, can be seen in route-running individual drills above.
• Junior tight end Jonathan Odom, junior offensive lineman Micah Mazzccua and freshman walk-on wide receiver Brian Green Jr. continued to participate in a limited fashion, sporting no-contact jerseys.
• Freshman walk-on defensive lineman Andre Morris joined the participation report on Friday. He was witnessed in a no-contact jersey, performing rehabilitative activities under the supervision of a trainer.
• FIU offensive line transfer and redshirt senior Lyndell Hudson II was absent for the third practice in a row. He is in concussion protocol following a minor car accident.
• Without James available to practice, All Gators watched UF's inside linebacker group on Friday. Redshirt senior Teradja Mitchell, redshirt junior Mannie Nunnery, junior Derek Wingo, redshirt sophomore Scooby Williams, redshirt freshman Deuce Spurlock II and freshman Jaden Robinson are the active scholarship contributors at the position.
• Wingo was the first player up in each of the position's individual drills, and he was asked to repeat some reps to provide examples for other members of the group. He drew compliments from inside linebackers coach Jay Bateman in various downhill reaction drills.
• In one drill, a linebacker would stand under a chute to maintain a forward-leaning stance, shuffle then break into a pursuit in the direction Bateman pointed. In one set of reps, Wingo and Mitchell angled outside, much like chasing a running back on a stretch concept, while Williams and Nunnery shot forward, resembling a reaction to a run within the tackle box or a simulated pass-rushing pressure. 
• Wingo and Williams, multi-year reserves and special teams contributors for UF, and Mitchell and Nunnery, offseason transfers from Ohio State and Houston respectively, appear best suited to absorb James' currently open practice reps and the domino effect that comes with the absence of a first-teamer. Each member of the quartet is expected to contribute defensively in some capacity this season, alongside James, a 2022 Freshman All-SEC honoree.

A collection of clips from linebacker individual drills can be eyeballed below.

Strong pair of reps from Derek Wingo in this reaction drill today.

Shameless story plug: https://t.co/xeek9AkjQm pic.twitter.com/QtTgKR3ZNT

— Zach Goodall (@zach_goodall) August 4, 2023

Scooby Williams, who Jay Bateman called a really unique player in the spring. Think he’ll get some off-ball pass rushing opportunities this year. pic.twitter.com/wPigFQYDyo

— Zach Goodall (@zach_goodall) August 4, 2023

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