Tag: derek wingo

Florida Football 2024 Position Preview: Linebackers

Taking a look at who’s leading the Gators linebacker unit for this upcoming season.

The next group of players we’ll take a look at on Gators Wire’s positions preview series are the linebackers.

Florida has some talented linebackers for this upcoming 2024 season with a mix of new and returning names. Although Scooby Williams, who played in all 12 games last season at linebacker for the Gators, transferred in the offseason to Texas A&M, Florida won’t have a problem filling that hole.

Shemar James is expected to be the leader of this Florida defense while first-year Gator Grayson “Pup” Howard will be lined up next to him as the other starting linebacker.

Head coach Billy Napier did an excellent job in bringing in some very talented linebackers this past offseason and this is one of those position groups that is very deep for the Gators.

Let’s take a look at every linebacker on Florida’s roster. Check out Gators Wire’s other position previews for the 2024 season below.

Starter: No. 6 Shemar James (Jr.)

Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun
Year GP Solo AST TOT TFL-YDS Sacks-YDS INT PD FF
2022 13 18 29 47 2-9 2-9 0 0 1
2023 8 24 31 55 5.5-13 1-7 0 0 0
Total 21 42 60 102 7.5-22 3-16 0 0 1

James is coming into his third and most important season at Florida. Looked at as the focal point of the defense, James will be in charge of listening in on what the coach on the sideline is saying through the new coach-to-player helmet communication system.

Last season, James started the first eight games before missing the final four due to a knee injury. In 2022, James won Freshman All-SEC honors after finishing the season with 47 total tackles in 13 games.

James’ biggest strength at linebacker is his pass coverage, as he was graded at 75.2 out of 100 in that category according to Pro Football Focus. His biggest weakness is his pass rush and he’ll be looking to improve that area of his game this season.

Starter: No. 10 Grayson “Pup” Howard (So.)

Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun

Howard comes in as a transfer from South Carolina and is expected to start as the other linebacker alongside James.

Last season with the Gamecocks, Howard appeared in 11 games and logged 19 tackles (10 solo), a tackle-for-loss and a forced fumble.

Howard attended Andrew Jackson High School in Jacksonville, Florida where he was ranked as the 42nd-best player in the state, the 15th-best outside linebacker and No. 177 on the ESPN300.

Although Howard doesn’t have the biggest sample size from last season, he has really impressed in camp and has made a strong push for that other starting linebacker spot.

Backups: No. 5 Myles Graham (Fr.), No. 15 Derek Wingo (Sr.), No. 29 Jaden Robinson (So.)

Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun

Myles Graham, although a freshman, is a very talented linebacker that the Gators were able to acquire.

Graham, a local product, went to F. W. Buchholz High School in Gainesville and was ranked as a five-star recruit by Rivals as well as the third-best player in his position group.

Derek Wingo is a fifth-year senior who’s the veteran of this group. Wingo logged 17 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season with the Gators.

Jaden Robinson is going into his second season with Florida and was rated as a former four-star recruit out of high school by Rivals and 247Sports. Robinson’s role will likely increase this season as he was primarily used for special teams last year.

Reserves: No. 16 R.J. Moten (Sr.), No. 22 Deuce Spurlock II (R-So.), No. 8 Aaron Chiles (Fr.)

Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun

R.J. Moten is going into his second season at Florida after transferring over from Michigan after the 2022 season. Moten has the experience and is a solid piece that the Gators have for depth. 

Deuce Spurlock II is another guy who Florida will have for depth. Like Moten, Spurlock is playing in his second season with the Gators. He played in three games last season, all on special teams.

Aaron Chiles is a freshman who was ranked a four-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN, On3 and Rivals. Chiles went to Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, Maryland. Chiles was also ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the state of Maryland by Rivals.

Walk-Ons: No. 50 Jake Xeller (Fr.), No. 42 Matthew Kade (Fr.), No. 47 Justin Pelic (R-Sr.)

Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun

Jake Xeller went to Herndon (Virginia) and earned back-to-back all-district honors in his junior and senior years. He joined the Gators as a walk-on this past spring.

Matthew Kade attended Bucholz High School in Gainesville and recorded 90 tackles, 18.0 tackles-for-loss, five sacks, two forced fumbles, one interception and a blocked punt his senior year. Kade walked on to Florida during the summer.

Justin Pelic is coming into his sixth season with Florida after joining the team as a walk-on during the summer of 2019.

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Florida LB makes appearance on Paul Finebaum show

Florida linebacker spent the NFL draft with the SEC Network, shadowing former Gator Chris Doering and appearing on the Paul Finebaum Show.

Florida linebacker [autotag]Derek Wingo[/autotag] made an appearance on the Paul Finebaum show on Thursday as he shadowed former Gator and college football analyst Chris Doering at the SEC Network.

Doering and Wingo have been friendly for a few years after meeting through Taylor, Chris’ daughter who is a student a Florida. Wingo was also an intern at Doering’s mortgage company this spring.

With Finebaum, Wingo talked about staying with Florida during the transfer portal era, among several other topics. The full conversation can be found below.

“I came to the University of Florida, not for specific coaches. I came for the University of Florida,” Wingo said. “I wanted to be close to my family, so I bought into the program. Even though the program might have changed, I had a plan for myself, and when these new coaches came in, they presented a plan for that, and I believe that with everything going on in the transfer portal world and all these kinds of things, if you just trust yourself, trust your abilities and trust the people you have around you even know that might come and go, you’re going to be alright at the end of the day.”

Wingo is set to be an important piece of the linebacker rotation as he nears the end of his college career. Made evident by his time with Finebaum, Wingo has a bright future ahead of him if it’s not in football. Perhaps he’ll follow Doering’s path as a businessman and analyst.

“It was awesome to see how well he did and how engaged Paul was in listening to the perspective of an active college football player that is experiencing all the craziness that is college football right now,” Doering said.

Wingo’s day didn’t end there, though. He sat in on Doering’s draft coverage with SECNow, including the production meetings. Observing everything with intent, Wingo took in as much as he could from Doering and the other SEC Network folks. It’s that kind of attention to detail that Doering says will make him even more successful than himself.

“He is always prepared. He shows up, takes notes and listens because he wants to learn,” Doering said. “Thinking back to my career, I wish I had been exposed to some of these things earlier to make some different decisions. These guys are getting presented with opportunities now that we never had a chance in college.”

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Florida linebacker cleared to play following shoulder surgery

Florida linebacker Derek Wingo is back to full health and has been cleared to play after undergoing surgery on his shoulder.

Florida linebacker [autotag]Derek Wingo[/autotag] spent all of spring in a non-contact jersey as he worked his way back from a shoulder injury that required surgery.

On Monday, Wingo took to Twitter to announce that team doctors had medically cleared him for a full return to action. Wingo has appeared in all 37 games for the Gators over the past three seasons and is in his final year of eligibility.

Over 46 career games, Wingo has 58 total tackles (20 solo), including 6.5 tackles for loss (43 yards) and 4.5 sacks (38 yards). He’s also deflected two passes and blocked a kick.

He’ll play a big part in Florida’s linebacker rotation this year, mixing in behind Grayson Howard and Shemar James.

Wingo is viewed as a team leader, even if he isn’t a first-stringer.

“Tremendous leadership there. I think that’s the first thing (you notice),” Wingo’s position coach Ron Roberts said. “You’re always looking for those types of things. Those are the things that make a difference on a football team. Do you have the right guys in leadership positions that can help bring the young guys along?”

Wingo shouldn’t have any rust by the time the regular season starts. He played in a non-contact jersey during the spring game and another team scrimmage. He’ll experience summer and fall camps in their totality.

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Gators linebacker to attend SEC Football Leadership Council meeting

This junior linebacker will rep the Orange and Blue at the SEC Football Leadership Council meeting this weekend.

Florida football’s junior linebacker [autotag]Derek Wingo[/autotag], a member of the Southeastern Conference Football Leadership Council, will attend the SEC’s annual meeting on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 2-3, at the SEC offices in Birmingham, Alabama.

The Football Leadership Council is one of three components of the SEC Student-Athlete Leadership Council, joining the men’s and women’s basketball leadership councils as well as the conference’s longstanding student-athlete advisory council.

The councils provide student-athletes with additional opportunities to engage with campus leaders and conference office staff and serve as a conduit of communication to the conference office on issues related to student-athlete experience, student-athlete wellness and playing rules.

Items on the agenda this weekend include a meeting with SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, a review of NCAA and SEC legislative items, a conversation with SEC Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Katie O’Neal and engagement with football officials on rules of the game, student-athlete/referee interaction and careers in officiating. The group will also review SEC student-athlete engagement opportunities, according to FloridaGators.com.

The student-athletes who also comprise the SEC Football Leadership Council are DeVonta Smith (Alabama Crimson Tide), Cameron Ball (Arkansas Razorbacks), Eugene Asante (Auburn Tigers), Jalon Walker (Georgia Bulldogs), Eli Cox (Kentucky Wildcats), Josh Williams (LSU Tigers), JJ Pegues (Ole Miss Rebels), Hayes Hammond (Mississippi State Bulldogs), Kristian Williams (Missouri Tigers), Kai Kroeger (South Carolina Gamecocks), Omari Thomas (Tennessee Volunteers), Taurean York (Texas A&M Aggies) and Bryan Longwell (Vanderbilt Commodores).

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2023 Florida Football Position Preview: Inside Linebackers

Ventrell Miller is no longer the man in the middle of Florida’s defense, but the Gators hit the transfer portal and have some homegrown talent that’s ready to take off.

Now that Ventrell Miller and Amari Burney are in the NFL, Florida is looking for its next pair of elite inside linebackers to lead the defense in 2023.

Billy Napier turned to the transfer portal to add some depth at the position and found Teradja Mitchell and Mannie Nunnery. Both should play a big role in Florida’s defense this season, but there’s plenty of homegrown talent to work with too.

Shemar James is coming off an elite freshman season against SEC competition and could blossom in Year 2 of his college career. There’s also Scooby Williams and Derek Wingo in the position room looking for snaps as returning players with experience.

Here’s a look at every inside linebacker on Florida’s 2023 fall roster.

Florida’s junior linebacker named to Wuerffel Trophy Watch List

Derek Wingo is among Florida football’s rising leaders and the The Wuerffel Trophy Watch List has taken notice.

The Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, which honors college football players who serve others, celebrate their impact, and inspire greater service in the world, was released on Thursday by the Wuerffel Foundation. Among those earning a mention for the award named after the former Gator great was current Florida linebacker [autotag]Derek Wingo[/autotag].

Established in 2005, the Wuerffel Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association and is presented annually to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field.  It is the first major award honoring the character of service to others.

On Thursday, Billy Napier reinforced the notion that the junior defender is among the leaders of the 2023 squad during a press conference. When confronted with the notion that Wingo is one of the most respected players on the team, Napier replied, “We all know that.”

The 6-foot-1-inch, 240-pound linebacker played in 12 games last season, finishing things off with back-to-back starts. Wingo recorded 24 total tackles (eight solo) along with a pair of sacks that year, including a career-high eight tackles against Oregon State in the Las Vegas Bowl. He appeared in all 13 games in 2021 (one start) and nine games in his true freshman season.

The junior defender is also a two-time SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll member and currently sits on the 2023 SEC Student-Athlete Leadership Council.

Semifinalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 2 and finalists will be announced on Nov. 28, with the formal announcement of the 2023 recipient scheduled to be made live on either Dec. 7 or 8 during The Home Depot College Football Awards airing on ESPN.

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Florida has one of college football’s 12 most lethal rosters in 2023

Florida has a ton of talent on its roster heading into the 2023 season, but that doesn’t guarantee success.

The Florida Gators finished tied for 12th in 247Sports’ recent list of the most lethal rosters heading into the 2023 season.

247Sports’ Brad Crawford used the site’s team composite ranking to rank the teams. He took the average position of the team’s finish over the past five years and Florida finished with a 12.4 average, the same as Michigan.

Florida finished 14th in the country during the most recent cycle. Losing five-star quarterback Jaden Rashada hurt a class that had a chance to break the top 10. Florida’s first class under Billy Napier in 2022 ranked No. 18 overall, and Dan Mullen brought in the No. 12 class in 2021 and the No. 9 class in 2019 and 2020.

“When Florida is winning national titles, the Gators are one of the nation’s elite recruiting teams,” Crawford wrote. “And while this program has a top-12 roster based on talent heading into coach Billy Napier’s second season, there are certainly depth concerns that the coaching staff must contend with following a disappointing 6-7 finish under the new regime.”

The problem with using this metric to rank teams is that transfers come and go, and the bulk of the Mullen classes has moved on from the program in one way or another. The class of 2020 features some team leaders, such as receiver [autotag]Xzavier Henderson[/autotag] and linebacker [autotag]Derek Wingo[/autotag], but much of the class has transferred out or declared for the upcoming draft.

Florida also added a ton of transfer over the past two offseasons. Quarterbacks [autotag]Graham Mertz[/autotag] and [autotag]Jack Miller[/autotag], running backs [autotag]Montrell Johnson Jr[/autotag]. and [autotag]Cameron Carroll[/autotag], receiver [autotag]Ricky Pearsall[/autotag], offensive linemen [autotag]Damieon George[/autotag], [autotag]Kiyaunta Goodwin[/autotag] and Micah Mazzccua, defensive linemen [autotag]Caleb Banks[/autotag] and [autotag]CamRon Jackson[/autotag], linebacker [autotag]Teradja Mitchell[/autotag]  and cornerback [autotag]Jalen Kimber[/autotag] could all play significant roles for the team next season.

Florida could end up playing like a top-12 in the country by the season’s end, especially if the transfers help make up for the talent lost over the past few years, but it’s unwise to think of the Gators as a top-12 program in terms of actual talent heading into the season.

There’s been too much turnover in the program over the past couple of years for this metric to work for the Gators. A team like Michigan has a much better chance of living up to the expectations created by this list.

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4-star LB committed to Florida after visiting for Junior Day

The Gators are off to a hot start with the recruiting class of 2024. Florida added another top-100 player to the commitment pool on Saturday.

Florida earned another commitment from the class of 2024 on Saturday as four-star Largo (Florida) linebacker [autotag]Adarius Hayes[/autotag] pledged his services to the university.

Hayes was in town for Florida’s final Junior Day of the January recruiting period and announced his decision before leaving the Swamp. He was also in town last weekend to check in with the program, according to Swamp247. Hayes told Gators Online that he always planned on being a Gator and came into Saturday’s visit knowing that he’d be joining the class.

“It was the plan the whole time. I’m blessed to be a Gator. Go Gators,” Hayes said. “I’ll be a MIKE only. They said I’ll just be a middle linebacker and come off the edge more on third down. Basically, I would be like [autotag]Amari Burney[/autotag]/[autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag].”

Hayes shadowed linebackers [autotag]Shemar James[/autotag] and [autotag]Derek Wingo[/autotag] on this trip and the duo did their best to reel him in. He got a glimpse of the role he’ll be playing on Florida’s defense and locked in with the Gators over Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State and others.

This is the second blue-chip linebacker Florida has reeled in from the 2024 class. [autotag]Myles Graham[/autotag], who is ranked No. 30 overall on the 247Sports composite and No. 36 on the On3 consensus, picked Florida in August and seems locked in as a legacy commit.

Hayes is the No. 61 overall recruit in the nation, according to the 247Sports composite. He’s also No. 7 among edge rushers in the class and No. 12 among prep players from the Sunshine State. On3 is even more bullish on him, ranking Hayes at No. 55 overall on the consensus rankings and No. 33 on the site’s independent list.

Florida now has four players under commitment in the class. In addition to Hayes and Graham, UF has five-star quarterback [autotag]DJ Lagway[/autotag] and four-star running back [autotag]Chauncey Bowens[/autotag] on board as well. The Gators jumped to No. 3 overall on the 2024 On3 consensus football team recruiting rankings and No. 8 on 247Sports’ equivalent list.

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Florida add Houston transfer linebacker Mannie Nunnery

The Gators added yet another transfer linebacker from the portal on Monday. Welcome to the Swamp, Mannie Nunnery.

Florida added former Houston linebacker [autotag]Mannie Nunnery[/autotag] on Monday, according to a post he made on Twitter. The school later confirmed the news, making Nunnery the third linebacker to join the Gators via the transfer portal this offseason.

Nunnery joined the Cougars as a member of the 2019 recruiting class and played in 31 games over four years with the team, including a redshirt season. After seeing action in just two games as a freshman, Nunnery started getting snaps in 2020. He took 25 snaps in the slot as a sophomore but ended up spending most of his time lined up in the box. By 2021, he emerged as a key special teams player and started receiving even more opportunities on defense.

He finally broke out in 2022, playing in nine games for the Cougars and finishing the year with a 73.2 defensive grade, according to Pro Football Focus.

Nunnery joins a linebacker room that desperately needs some depth. Aside from fellow transfers [autotag]Teradja Mitchell[/autotag] (Ohio State) and [autotag]Deuce Spurlock[/autotag] (Michigan), Florida has only junior [autotag]Derek Wingo[/autotag], sophomores [autotag]Shemar James[/autotag] and Scooby Williams and true freshman [autotag]Jaden Robinson[/autotag]. The Gators expect Nunnery to play WILL linebacker for them.

Out of high school, the 247Sports composite ranked Nunnery at No. 94 among outside linebackers in the class of 2019. He was No. 1,326 overall and No. 174 out of the state of Texas.

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Former Ohio State LB officially commits to Florida Gators

Now that Ohio State’s season is over, linebacker Teradja Mitchell has officially announced his transfer commitment to the University of Florida.

On Monday, former Ohio State linebacker [autotag]Teradja Mitchell[/autotag] officially committed to the University of Florida, confirming a Dec. 21 report from the Orlando Sentinel’s Edgar Thompson.

“Florida was the perfect fit for me,” Mitchell told Swamp247. “They were one of the first schools to reach out to me when I entered the portal. Coach (Jay) Bateman has been around and has watched me since high school. He recruited a couple of guys from my area. So we instantly clicked once we had our first conversation. It felt like family.”

Mitchell entered the portal on Dec. 5 after seeing his role in the Buckeyes’ offense reduced in 2022. Florida presents an opportunity for him to make an immediate impact at a school that has depth issues in the linebacker room. The Gators are losing starters [autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag] and [autotag]Amari Burney[/autotag] to the NFL draft and [autotag]Chief Borders[/autotag] and [autotag]David Reese[/autotag] to the transfer portal; [autotag]Diwun Black[/autotag] was dismissed from the program in November, too.

Mitchell will join [autotag]Shemar James[/autotag], [autotag]Scooby Williams[/autotag] and [autotag]Derek Wingo[/autotag] as the main players in the linebackers room next year. He should be in town over the coming weekend to get enrolled for spring classes at Florida, meaning he’ll be available to the team during spring practices. Barring injury, Mitchell should easily compete for a starting role.

A former five-star recruit out of high school, Mitchell has as high a ceiling as any newcomer to Florida’s roster. He leaves Columbus with 64 total tackles, including 8.5 tackles for a loss.

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