Projecting the Florida Gators 2019 defensive depth chart
After taking a look at the offensive side of the ball earlier, GatorMaven will take it's best shot at projecting what the Florida Gators' defensive depth chart will look like for Week Zero.
Until further notice - pending his eligibility waiver status - BUCK pass rusher Brenton Cox Jr. will be left out of this projection. If he were to become eligible to play in 2019, he'd be listed as the No. 2 BUCK behind Jonathan Greenard.
Let's get to the breakdown!
Defensive line
BUCK pass rusher: Jonathan Greenard
2. Jeremiah Moon
3. Mohamoud Diabate/Khris Bogle
This group should see the true freshmen Diabate and Bogle play in a rotation throughout the year, given their potential and the lack of veteran depth here. Greenard is the clear-cut starter, with plenty of experience and production at Louisville - plus his knowledge of the position as he played for defensive coordinator Todd Grantham early in his career. Moon has flashed ability in the past, with 54 tackles, two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss in two seasons - but after Moon, the position is dry on experience.
3-technique: Adam Shuler
2. Zach Carter
3. Marlon Dunlap/Luke Ancrum
Shuler is the unquestioned starter here following a solid 2018 season, but the depth is unproven. Dunlap and Ancrum are more natural for the position, but Carter has played inside in packages through the spring and fall, flashing tons of upside. Look for him to get reps here similar to when Jabari Zuniga would slide inside on pass downs last season. Dunlap and Ancrum have combined for 0.5 sacks and two tackles for loss in their careers - a combined six seasons.
Nose: Kyree Campbell
2. Elijah Conliffe/Tedarrell Slaton
Campbell, like Shuler, is an unquestioned starter along the interior and is a high-floor type of player. He might not put up flashy stats on the box score, but he does his job well and eats up space in the run game. Conliffe and Slaton carry a combined 40 games of experience, but modest production - 47 tackles and three tackles for loss between the two.
Nose tackle won't ever be a premium pass-rushing position, but it requires technique beyond their size in order to defend the run. Campbell has that down.
Strong-side end: Jabari Zuniga
2. Zachary Carter
Zuniga is seen as the leader of this defensive line and has flashed plenty of game-changing ability in the past. Will it all come together in his final season as a Gator? If he can become more consistent in his all-around game vs. SEC competition, he could be viewed as a top edge defender in the country as the season goes on.
S-DE will be Carter's primary position, and he should get reps in relief of Zuniga from time to time to pair with rotational interior reps. He has flashed a good blend of power and athleticism through the spring and fall program, and is ready to take the next step as he finally gets some playing time.
Linebacker
MIKE: David Reese II
2. James Houston IV
Reese, who has earned second-team Preseason All-SEC honors, is the leader of the defense from a communication standpoint as the middle linebacker. He bounced back after missing three games to start the 2018 season by finishing second on the team in tackles. Houston IV has progressed nicely and flashed in moments last season, recording 26 tackles and two tackles for loss. Florida is happy with him as a key depth piece at MIKE.
MONEY: Amari Burney
2. Ventrell Miller
Burney is a high-ceiling player who is debuting as a starter at a newer position. His coverage ability as a former safety will be an upgrade to what Vosean Joseph provided at the position, but keying-and-diagnosing the run to shoot gaps will be a new animal, and is progression in that area is crucial for his success at MONEY. Miller, like Houston IV at MIKE, is a solid depth piece who will certainly play in a rotation this year. He recorded 15 tackles, a sack, an interception, and two tackles for loss in 2018.
Secondary
Cornerbacks: C.J. Henderson and Marco Wilson
2. Jaydon Hill and Kaiir Elam
The starters at cornerback create a dynamic tandem that could be regarded as the best in the nation before too long - obviously, depending on Wilson's recovery from his 2018 ACL tear. Henderson has earned consistent first-round hype from NFL Draft analysts this offseason, and Wilson was a consistent ball-hawk in his freshman season where he was a full-time starter.
However, if one of Henderson and Wilson go down with an injury, the Gators will depend on a true freshman once again at cornerback - much like Trey Dean III last year and both Henderson and Wilson in 2017. Look for Elam to fill in as a boundary cornerback behind Wilson, and Hill in the field behind Henderson.
STAR: Trey Dean III
2. Amari Burney/Chester Kimbrough
After starting nine games at outside cornerback in place of the injured Wilson in 2018, Dean has moved inside to STAR nickel cornerback and will start as Chauncey Gardner-Johnson's replacement. However, following the dismissal of John Huggins from the program, the depth behind Dean III is a huge question mark.
Burney's safety experience will make him an insurance policy at the position, and having Miller able to fill in at MONEY makes Burney even more reliable to move to STAR in a pinch. But keep an eye on Kimbrough, who has flashed at the position through fall camp.
Safeties: Jeawon Taylor and Donovan Stiner
2. Brad Stewart and Shawn Davis
The safety position has received some skepticism since the spring program, where the unit didn't play up to par. All four contributors have gotten significant playing time in the past, with Stewart, Taylor, and Stiner all starting throughout 2018 - Stiner recorded the most starts with 12. But no two have stood out as clear-cut starters entering 2019.
Taylor and Davis have been the most notable through fall camp, but Taylor got started slow and participated without contact for several early practices. Davis has made several flashy plays on the ball, but is the least experienced of the unit. At this point, it will likely be Taylor and Stiner considering Taylor's consistency and Stiner's starting resume. But this position is fluid.
