The Gators’ defense will take the field without Jason Marshall Jr. for the first time since 2020 following a season-ending injury.
Florida will play the final five games of the 2024 regular season without its top cornerback, senior [autotag]Jason Marshall Jr[/autotag]., according to a report from the Orlando Sentinel.
Marshall went down with a shoulder injury after making a tackle in Florida’s Week 8 win over Kentucky. After going to the locker room for an evaluation, Marshall returned to the sideline with his arm in a sling. Florida’s defense fared well without Marshall against a struggling Wildcats offense, notching three interceptions throughout the game.
Moving forward, junior [autotag]Devin Moore[/autotag] will act as Florida’s top corner, but the Gators will need one of their young defensive backs to step up in the wake of Marshall’s injury. Sophomore [autotag]Ja’Keem Jackson[/autotag] also remains sidelined after suffering an injury in Week 2.
Sophomores [autotag]Dijon Johnson[/autotag] and [autotag]Cormani McClain[/autotag] are the favorites to take over Florida’s second cornerback spot in the starting lineup. Johnson is the more experienced of the two and has played in every game for Florida this year; however, McClain is coming off a breakout performance against Kentucky where he returned an interception for a touchdown.
“Skill players always are a little insecure, and then when they get game experience, they have some production, and it’s like, ‘OK, I know what it’s like out there,’” Napier said of McClain on Wednesday. “He’s still learning the defense. But overall he’s got a smile on his face. I see him connecting with teammates. He’s growing up. He’s still very much a work in progress.”
Behind those two are a pair of true freshmen —Teddy Foster and Jameer Grimsley. Foster has played in four games this season and could still redshirt should he stay on the bench for the rest of the year, while Grimsley has yet to see the field.
Those numbers might point toward Grimsley getting the nod over Foster in an emergency situation.
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If Florida can stay healthy at cornerback, the position room has a chance to be at its best since Billy Napier took over the program.
The winds of change hit Florida’s secondary room hard over the offseason.
In addition to several departures via the transfer portal, the Gators parted ways with defensive backs coach Corey Raymond and hired Will Harris from the Chargers to take over the reins. Harris has received positive reviews, but his players haven’t taken the field for a real game yet.
First, we’ll take a look at the cornerbacks on the roster. These are the guys who line up on the outside, rather than the safeties who play more up the middle. There’s also the STAR position, which is what Florida calls its nickelback, but we’ll go over those hybrid defensive backs with the safeties.
Let’s take a look at every cornerback on Florida’s roster. Check out Gators Wire’s other position previews for the 2024 season below.
Starting Cornerback: No. 3 Jason Marshall Jr. (Sr.)
Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun
Defensive Stats:
Year
GP
SOLO
AST
TOT
TFL
SACKS
INT
PD
2021
13
15
8
23
2-7
0-0
1
4
2022
13
20
9
29
1-2
0-0
1
9
2023
12
20
6
26
3-19
1-9
0
10
Total
38
55
23
78
6-28
1-9
2
23
[autotag]Jason Marshall Jr[/autotag]. is a former five-star recruit who draft experts view as Florida’s best prospect in the coming cycle. He could have tried his luck in the NFL at the end of his junior season, but he decided to return to Florida to increase his draft stock.
As the unquestioned No. 1 of the unit, Marshall should be on the field for most plays. He took 651 snaps a year ago, and ended the 2023 season with a 68.6 overall defensive grade on Pro Football Focus. There are some questions about his tackling ability, but Marshall showed he has lockdown ability by allowing just 17 catches on 38 targets (44.7%).
“I think Jason has taken a step forward as a leader. I’m proud of him. I think he’s been more vocal. I think his practice habits have improved. I think Coach Harris has been good for Jason. I also joke with him all the time, it’s a contract year for him,”Billy Napier said. “He’s back. I think he came back for a reason – not only to leave a better legacy at UF, but to increase value at the same time.”
Starting Cornerback: No. 28 Devin Moore (Jr.)
Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
Defensive Stats:
Year
GP
SOLO
AST
TOT
TFL
SACKS
INT
PD
2022
5
4
2
6
0-0
0-0
0
0
2023
7
5
1
6
0-0
0-0
1
4
Total
12
9
3
12
0-0
0-0
1
4
Devin Moore has shown flashes of greatness in both years he’s been with the Gators, but he can’t seem to stay healthy throughout the regular season. Ten pounds heavier coming into the 2024 season, Moore is hopeful to double his games played from 12 to 24 (or 25 with a bowl game).
Moore was Florida’s highest-graded cornerback in 2023. Pro Football Focus gave him a 78.3 overall defensive grade and an 81.7 coverage grade. His completion percentage allowed of 41.7% was even better than Marshall’s last year, albeit over 12 targets. Still, there’s some draft hope here if he can get stay healthy this season and put up similar numbers.
“During the offseason, I did everything I can to prehab you know just work on my body,” Moore said. “Make sure I’m in the best position to be healthy and stay healthy.”
Backups: No. 2 Ja’Keem Jackson (So.) and Dijon Johnson (So.)
Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Ja’Keem Jackson:
Year
GP
SOLO
AST
TOT
TFL
SACKS
INT
PD
2023
11
5
2
7
0-0
0-0
0
3
Dijon Johnson:
Year
GP
SOLO
AST
TOT
TFL
SACKS
INT
PD
2023
12
1
1
2
0-0
0-0
0
0
[autotag]Ja’Keem Jackson[/autotag] saw more snaps at cornerback (113) than [autotag]Dijon Johnson[/autotag] (22), but both are expected to move up the depth chart in Year 2 with the Florida Gators.
Jackson’s numbers aren’t too gaudy, but he showed promise as a pass rusher, which is unique for a defensive back. He allowed 6 catches on 11 targets a season ago, so there’s some work to be done in coverage.
There’s a lot of confidence that Jackson will take a big step forward with more time on the field. He’s a former track star who also played receiver, so there’s an understanding of both sides of the ball there.
Johnson didn’t see the field a ton last year, but he impressed in fall camp. It might take an injury for him to see 200-plus snaps this season, but the former four-star recruit should up his total from the 22 snaps he played a year ago.
Reserves: No. 25 Cormani McClain (So.)
Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun
At Colorado:
Year
GP
SOLO
AST
TOT
TFL
SACKS
INT
PD
2023
10
6
7
13
1-2
0-0
0
2
[autotag]Cormani McClain[/autotag] is finally a Gator, but it might take some time for him to fit into the rotation at cornerback in Gainesville. The former No. 1 overall recruit left Colorado after a season and joined Florida as a preferred walk-on.
It wouldn’t be shocking to see him get regular playing time this year, but McClain’s best moments are still likely 12 months or more away. Learning a new system is tricky, and Colorado’s coaching staff might have done more harm than good from a mental standpoint. You have to root for a story like this, but allow McClain a season to readjust.
Freshman: No. 4 Teddy Foster (Fr.) and Jameer Grimsley (Fr.)
Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun
Florida added two cornerbacks to the roster from the 2024 recruiting cycle. Teddy Foster and Jameer Grimsley are the new faces in the position room, although the latter is actually a transfer who left Alabama after learning Nick Saban was stepping down.
Grimsley is the more highly-touted prospect, but he might be held back a bit because of the transfer situation. Both he and Foster should serve in reserve roles, similar to what Jackson and Johnson did last year.
Walk-On: No. 37 Javion Toombs (R-So.)
Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun
Year
GP
SOLO
AST
TOT
TFL
SACKS
INT
PD
2023
7
1
0
1
0-0
0-0
0
0
We only have one walk-on cornerback to go over as the rest of the walk-ons in the defensive backs room profile as safeties. Javion Toombs joined the team in the summer of 2022 and redshirted after making no appearances.
He played in seven games a season ago, mostly in a special teams role, but he managed to record his first defensive tackle at the college level.
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With the 2024 college football season just over a month away, 247Sports has updated its transfer portal rankings one more time.
Bringing in a strong transfer portal haul is necessary for most college football teams these days, and [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] has the Floride Gators poised to bring in one of the nation’s best transfer classes in 2024.
Three of Florida’s new players made 247Sports’ recent list of the top 50 transfers heading into 2024, but the Gators also lost a considerable amount of talent to the portal.
Former USC Trojan [autotag]Jason Zandamela[/autotag] is the highest-ranked of the trio at No. 7, followed by former Colorado cornerback [autotag]Cormani McClain[/autotag] (No. 21) and former Penn defensive lineman [autotag]Joey Slackman[/autotag] (No. 49).
Zandamela should compete for a starting spot on Florida’s offensive line, which struggled last year. Kamryn Waites recently moved back to the offensive guards’ room following the addition of Zandamela.
Slackman should also start, while McClain works his way into the cornerbacks rotation. Senior[autotag] Jason Marshall Jr[/autotag]. and junior [autotag]Devin Moore[/autotag] should be the starters with sophomore [autotag]Ja’Keem Jackson[/autotag] also in the mix.
The two ranked players who left the program this offseason are defensive end [autotag]Princely Umanmielen[/autotag] (Ole Miss, No. 18) and running back [autotag]Trevor Etienne[/autotag] (Georgia, No. 35).
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Former CU cornerback Cormani McClain has been involved in more negative press at his new school
Former Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Cormani McClain, a former five-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, has found himself involved in more negative press at his new school.
The drama began when Gator Online’s Nick de la Torre reported (subscription required) that McClain was frequently missing or showing up tardy to offseason events with the Florida Gators. Before entering the transfer portal in April, McClain was displaying similar behavior during his lone season at Colorado, according to CU head coach Deion Sanders.
On Tuesday, south Florida-based media member PolkWay claimed McClain was “removed from the University of Florida football team,” a report that spread quickly on X (formerly Twitter).
However, McClain’s agent, Hector Rivas, and Florida secondary coach Will Harris soon came to McClain’s aid and denied Polk Way’s report. Whether McClain was indeed dealing with the attendance issues has yet to be confirmed.
McClain joined the Gators as a preferred walk-on in May and is still on the roster, according to 247Sports.
Despite rumors, Former 5⭐ CB Cormani McClain (No. 1 CB in the 2023 Class) is still on the football roster at the University of Florida.🐊 pic.twitter.com/HGppApNnsC
The Gators had a solid transfer portal showing this offseason but their conference peers were also very busy.
The NCAA transfer portal has become a significant part of college football roster building over the past few years and this current offseason has been no exception. Ostensibly a de facto free agency system, players are now able to seek greener pastures if they are unhappy with their current environments.
Brandon Marcello of 247Sports recently ranked the Southeastern Conference from top to bottom based on his publication’s data for transfer students, with the Florida Gators landing at No. 10 out of 16 member schools.
The Orange and Blue saw 24 departures worth an 87.81 average player rating while bringing in 15 at an 89.27 average — good enough for a plus-1.46 net gain.
“Things were actually pretty good in the portal for Florida despite all the negativity around the program and [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag], and the departures of two starting offensive linemen, elite edge pass rusher [autotag]Princely Umanmielen[/autotag] (Ole Miss) and running back [autotag]Trevor Etienne[/autotag] (Georgia),” Marcello begins.
“Yes, that’s quite the mouthful to swallow, but perhaps the Gators actually improved the roster via the portal this offseason? Six of the 15 additions are blue chips, though USC offensive tackle [autotag]Jason Zandamela[/autotag] is likely a year away from development. Colorado transfer [autotag]Cormani McClain[/autotag] will grab headlines, and if he can come close to the hype out of high school he’ll be worth the risk.”
Marcello is particularly optimistic about what a particular pair of players bring to the team this season.
“The players we love in the haul include Arizona State receiver [autotag]Elijhah Badger[/autotag], who caught 135 passes for more than 1,500 yards over the last two seasons, and Penn defensive lineman [autotag]Joey Slackman[/autotag], the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year. Slackman recorded 12 tackles for loss as a tackle last season.”
Florida’s 2024 season opener
Florida opens up its 2024 regular-season schedule in the Swamp against the Miami Hurricanes on Aug. 31. Kickoff time is slated for 3:30 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on ABC Sports.
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Billy Napier and Co. are undoubtedly big winners int he college football transfer portal this cycle.
Florida football had a remarkably successful week in the NCAA transfer portal, pulling a pair of blue-chip players from their former schools to finalize the 2024 roster.
The first to commit to the Gators was former five-star prospect and Colorado Buffaloes cornerback [autotag]Cormani McClain[/autotag], who returned to his home state to join a team he nearly committed to as a recruit. The other was redshirt junior wide receiver [autotag]Elijhah Badger[/autotag], who spent his first four collegiate seasons with the Arizona State Sun Devils.
As a result of this major coup, the Orange and Blue are now ranked fifth in 247Sports’ college football team transfer rankings. [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and Co. brought in 15 new players via the portal — six of whom are four-star players and the other nine three-star.
McClain is rated at four stars in the transfer portal and ranks No. 21 overall and No. 5 at his position. Badger is a four-star transfer portal prospect, ranking No. 184 overall and No. 36 at his position.
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Florida’s addition of Cormani McClain via the transfer portal completes a recruiting coup that dates back to 2023.
Florida football scored a massive win on Wednesday with the commitment of former Colorado Buffaloes cornerback [autotag]Cormani McClain[/autotag], according to multiple reports.
The former five-star defensive back out of Lakeland (Florida) in the 2023 cycle was considered the top player at his position and among the best overall in his class. The 6-foot-2-inch, 165-pound had considered the Gators before his decision to head out west to join the Buffs.
However, things did not work out between him and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, and the Sunshine State product hit the transfer portal to seek greener pastures.
Recruiting Summary
McClain is rated at four stars in the transfer portal and ranks No. 21 overall and No. 5 at his position, according to 247Sports.
As a recruit in 2023, the Lakeland native was ranked No. 14 overall and No. 1 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking had him at Nos. 13 and 1, respectively.
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The Colorado Buffaloes football program has seen a large number of players enter the transfer portal this spring. It has been a bit of a surprising move for Deion Sanders and the Buffs.
One of the biggest departures was former five-star recruit Cormani McClain, who infamously flipped from Miami to come to the Buffs last offseason.
As a result, McClain instantly heard from a number of schools in the portal, including UCLA. Here is a list of some schools that reached out to McClain, per Hayes Fawcett of On3.
LSU
Oklahoma
Texas
Auburn
UCLA
Texas A&M
USC
Oregon
USF
UCF
Georgia
The Florida schools and USC are viewed as the favorites by many, although it will be interesting to see where McClain ends up.
His time in Boulder was underwhelming by every means, but he is a talented player with a few years of eligibility, and UCLA took a shot by reaching out.
LSU seems to be pursuing one of the top players in the transfer portal.
One of the top players in the transfer portal has reportedly heard from the Tigers.
Former Colorado cornerback [autotag]Cormani McClain[/autotag] entered the transfer portal following spring practice after just one season with the Buffaloes and coach Deion Sanders.
He’s heard from 11 programs since entering the transfer portal, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett, and LSU is one of them.
A former five-star recruit who ranked as the top cornerback in the country coming out of Lakeland High School in Florida, McClain had a wild recruitment in 2023.
He was widely projected to commit to Florida but stunned prognosticators when he pledged to Miami in October 2022. However, he flipped to Colorado in January after Sanders was hired and ultimately signed with the Buffaloes.
Cormani McClain tells @on3sports that he’s heard from these 1️⃣1️⃣ Schools since entering the Transfer Portal
Cormani McClain and the Oregon Ducks? A new report shows that there has been contact.
The Oregon Ducks are about as stacked as they can be at the cornerback position going into the 2024 season, but we know that’s not going to stop Dan Lanning from trying to add more top-rated talent if he is able to.
On Friday night, On3’s Hayes Fawcett reported that the Ducks are one of the many teams to have reached out to former Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Cormani McClain earlier this week after the former 5-star recruit entered the transfer portal.
McClain is going to be a sophomore in 2024. He was rated as the No. 1 CB and No. 14 overall player in the 2023 class. In his freshman year, he played in 9 games under Deion Sanders, with 13 tackles and 2 PBUs.
Cormani McClain tells @on3sports that he’s heard from these 1️⃣1️⃣ Schools since entering the Transfer Portal
With the additions of Jabbar Muhammad and Kam Alexander this offseason, the Ducks are currently in a good spot when it comes to CB, but they can always work to develop McClain for the future and use him as much as he’s ready this year, should he be interested in that role.
We will see if the Ducks can get him to Oregon for a visit this spring.
