Versatile defensive back to return to Florida for senior season

The junior will come back to the Gators next year, and his return is a big boost to Florida’s secondary heading into 2021.

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Florida defensive back Trey Dean III is coming back in 2021. The junior defensive back appeared in nine games this season as a safety and special teams contributor.

His return isn’t exactly surprising, as he wasn’t expected by many to be an early pick in the 2021 NFL draft, but it helps boost a defense that already has to replace a number of starters next season — including several in the secondary.

In his nine appearances, Dean totaled 34 tackles (one for loss), a sack and an interception, which came against Alabama in the SEC Championship.

Dean has been a bit of a utility player during his time at Florida. He saw significant action as an outside corner his freshman year after Marco Wilson suffered a season-ending injury. Heading into 2019, he saw his role shift more to the nickel.

This past year, Dean moved again, and he saw the bulk of his time on defense at safety. With Wilson’s departure, Dean could compete for starting spots either at safety or nickel in 2021.

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