Florida’s defensive line took a significant hit during Saturday’s scrimmage when redshirt sophomore [autotag]Jamari Lyons[/autotag] was carted off the field.
Head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] confirmed reports of the injury during his Monday press conference, adding that Lyons would miss the entirety of the 2024 season.
“We did have one injury of note. Jamari Lyons broke his ankle, and he’ll be out for the season,” Napier said. “Obviously, our thoughts and prayers are with him.
“We have a number of players who have been through injuries in the past, and I think it’ll be important for those guys to help Jamari because Jamari is one of our best. He really cares.”
Lyons lined up for 198 defensive snaps last season and recorded 22 total tackles (10 solo), including 2.5 for a loss. Pro Football Focus gave him a 64.9 grade on defense for the season, but his 81.0 tackling grade was the fourth-highest on the team in 2023.
Everyone on the field figured out quickly that Lyons was dealing with something significant. Season-ending injuries can affect a team in many ways, but Napier believes his players’ reaction to Lyons going says a lot about how they will respond.
“It was really inspirational, to some degree, because the entire team was on the field, which I’ve never seen in my entire coaching career,” he said. “A guy gets hurt and everybody knows it’s a pretty good injury, but we’ve got all 132 are on the spot there to support him as he rode off the field.
“I think that’s an indicator that these guys are doing something right, that there is that type of connection to some degree.”
Replacing Jamari Lyons on the defensive line
Lyons was working behind senior [autotag]Cam Jackson[/autotag] at nose tackle, but he also provided some position flexibility for Florida being able to fit in at end (three technique). Even though he might not have been a starter, Lyons was going to see significant time on the field. Replacing him isn’t so simple.
“The biggest thing was Jamari could play nose and end and I think that’s where we have to shuffle the deck a little bit,” he said. “We can also move Sapp over there. He’s played some end before in the past.”
Florida has 12 defensive linemen on its roster, but the options quickly dwindle to seven names after excluding Jackson, Lyons and the three walk-ons from consideration.
Penn transfer [autotag]Joey Slackman[/autotag] figures to be the team’s other starting tackle on defense, and [autotag]Desmond Watson[/autotag] should continue his role as a run-stopper. That leaves JUCO transfer [autotag]Brien Taylor Jr[/autotag]., and a pair of true freshmen as the three favorites to take up Lyons’ snaps.
“You’re going to see [autotag]Michai Boireau[/autotag] more, [autotag]Kelby Collins[/autotag] more and then we’ve got some guys that can develop there. Brien Taylor, D’Antre (Robinson), Tarvorise (Brown). That’s an area where we got some players. There’s some depth there, but I think those roles will be a little bit different and there’ll be some adjustment.”
Collins is listed as an edge defender on Florida’s roster, but he fits into that end spot Napier mentioned putting Lyons in.
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