How Will R.J. Moten Fit Into Florida's Defensive Back Rotation?

Breaking down Michigan defensive back transfer R.J. Moten's fit into Florida's defense and the Gators' youthful safety rotation.

Michigan co-defensive coordinator Jesse Minter once called former Wolverines safety R.J. Moten a "jack of all trades" defender, in Dec. 2022, months before Moten entered the transfer portal and committed to Florida on May 2.

The Gators coveted Moten's playing experience to supplement the youthful talent on the backend of their defense, and his aforementioned positional versatility is a bonus. Entering a secondary that is likely to feature new starters at 80% of its positions, Moten will be a candidate to contribute at numerous spots immediately.

“That’s one of the areas on our team where young players are going to have to play, there’s no question," head coach Billy Napier said of Florida's safety unit on April 6, before Moten's transfer.

"Overall, that’s a room where we can add a player. It’s a room that we need to continue to develop depth if that makes sense and, ultimately, it’s going to be a big part of how good we can be on defense is how good that can be."

Junior Jason Marshall Jr. is Florida's lone incumbent first-team defensive back, at outside cornerback. Redshirt junior Jaydon Hill has starting experience outside, but he moved to STAR cornerback this offseason and will play the position for the first time in 2023, barring an unexpected move back outside.  

Otherwise, the secondary was set to feature true sophomores Kamari Wilson and Miguel Mitchell at safety and, likely, one of former Georgia transfer Jalen Kimber and sophomore Devin Moore opposite Marshall at cornerback. Only Wilson and Mitchell have started games in their careers, combining for three, although they both appeared in each game of their freshmen campaigns in 2022.

Comparatively, Moten was on the field for 925 defensive snaps between 2021-22. 562 of those snaps were as a deep safety and the next most, 221, were as a box safety. He also earned 86 reps as a slot corner, 45 on the edge and 10 at outside cornerback. Each of these roles placed Moten closer to the line of scrimmage than the deep position.

Michigan increased Moten's box deployment and general usage near the line of scrimmage in 2022, decreasing his deep coverage responsibilities as a result. His thicker, 6-foot, 223-pound frame seemed better suited to combat the rushing and short passing game after allowing 16 receptions on 18 targets for 159 yards in 2021, per Pro Football Focus.

The tweak in Moten's utilization appeared beneficial. His coverage numbers improved to 13-of-20 for 103 yards, and additionally, Moten tallied two sacks and three tackles for loss in 2022 after posting zeroes in each category the year before.

Between both seasons, Moten also recorded 65 total tackles, 13 quarterback pressures, 19 defensive stops and two interceptions. Despite a concerning completion percentage (76.3%) allowed in his career to date, Moten has yet to give up a touchdown in coverage through 29 games and 15 starts.

An area in which Moten can continue to improve is tackling. Although he is more productive in roles that are physically demanding closer to the line of scrimmage, his missed tackle rate doubled in 2022 compared to 2021, jumping to 23.3% (10 misses) from 11.6% (five). 

While it will require better tackling, Moten's two-year playing résumé with the Wolverines suggests he will offer the Gators solid play as a downhill defender and on early downs. He is likely to receive a strong snap-share against the run and could see an expanded role in coverage unless Wilson and Mitchell prove more effective in that department. 

Moten's strengths playing downhill also make him a fit as a STAR nickel corner on early downs, for similar reasons: To set the edge, defend the run and even rush the passer in certain simulated rush packages. Hill, a proven coverage player, would complement Moten's skill set well by playing STAR on conversion downs. 

"I think [of Moten] as a chess piece," Minter said of Moten. "Like when teams are throwing the ball more and spread out, he’s better closer to the line of scrimmage. But he’s also capable of playing back at safety, and he’s done that all year for us." 

Co-defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale offered a similar sentiment in December. 

“He’s been playing dime and safety all year, so certain days, I let him do linebacker, and he still gets safety reps," Clinkscale shared. “We’ve done it all year, because a lot of our packages, he’s a guy that we can put down in the box, and he understands the fits."

Gators secondary coach Corey Raymond made clear in March that he believes in Wilson and Mitchell's ability to take over for seasoned starting safeties Trey Dean III and Rashad Torrence II after they departed for the NFL this offseason. The youthful defensive back's experience in the scheme could even keep them in first-team positions over Moten. 

Florida should benefit greatly, however, from adding Moten's experience and positional versatility to the backend of its defense. At best, Moten could serve as an upgrade within the unit; at worst, he offers established depth at a position that sorely needs it. 

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