Tag: Desmond Watson

Gators defensive lineman among ‘most unique players’ in college football

To call Desmond Watson “unique” is certainly an understatement.

Florida football’s roster coming into the 2023 season is chock full of talent on both sides of the ball, regardless of what the prognosticators feel about the team’s chances this fall. The beloved Orange and Blue is worn by some of the best athletes in the collegiate realm, regularly placing players in the NFL draft stretching back longer than almost any other school.

The Gators have a pair of players committed to Billy Napier’s program in the 2024 cycle, according to 247Sports. However, fans do not have to look far to find this season’s physical anomaly in defensive lineman Desmond Watson, who earned a mention in CBS Sports’ “most unique” college football players for the 2023 campaign. Here is what author Will Backus had to offer.

The biggest player in college football had to be on this list. At 6-foot-5 and 439 pounds — up 24 pounds from last season! — Watson is an absolute hoss in the middle of Florida’s defensive line. He eats up space in the run game without much effort and should have no problem imposing his will on offensive linemen, most of whom are at least a mind-bending 100 pounds lighter than him.

During his sophomore season in 2022, the monstrous lineman played in all 13 games. He recorded 25 total tackles (eight solo, 17 assisted), including 1.5 tackles for a loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. His forced/recovered fumble resulted in a 9-yard return against the South Carolina Gamecocks, much to the delight of football fans around the nation.

Watson and his Florida football teammates open their 2023 schedule on the road against the Utah Utes on Thursday, Aug. 31, with a kickoff time of 8 p.m. EDT.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1368]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

2023 Florida Football Position Preview: Defensive Tackles

Florida lost Gervon Dexter to the NFL in April, but a pair of transfer tackles are set to take over Florida’s interior defensive line.

Florida’s defensive line will be another unit that relies heavily on transfer talent this season.

Both starting tackles — Cam Jackson and Caleb Banks — are in their first year with the program, meaning two new faces on the interior, and there’s a considerable amount of depth behind them. Nearly every Gators fan is rooting for big Desmond Watson to get on the field, and the first and second-year players that were recruited by Napier are, of course, the future of the program.

There tends to be a lot of shifting and rotating in the trenches, so it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what it means to start, but we’ve identified the top players in the position room and created a rough depth chart to work off as the season begins.

Here’s a look at every defensive tackle on Florida’s 2023 fall roster.

Florida adds former Memphis defensive lineman through transfer portal

Florida restocked its defensive line with the addition of Memphis transfer CamRon Jackson Friday evening.

Former Memphis defensive lineman [autotag]CamRon Jackson[/autotag] didn’t need to wait until his Jan. 4 official visit to pull the trigger on committing to the University of Florida. He took to Twitter to pledge his services to the Orange and Blue around 9 p.m. EST Friday night.

Jackson is the second defensive lineman Billy Napier has brought in, replacing the departing duo of [autotag]Chris Thomas[/autotag] and [autotag]Jalen Lee[/autotag]. Louisville’s [autotag]Caleb Banks[/autotag] will join Jackson in Florida’s defensive line room along with returners [autotag]Desmond Watson[/autotag] and [autotag]Chris McClellan[/autotag], The Gators also have five incoming defensive linemen, but there’s no guarantee that a true freshman could step into a major role right away.

Jackson totaled 51 tackles (25 solo) and recorded five tackles for a loss, including 2.5 sacks for 13 yards, in his three years with the Tigers. He earned Third-Team All-ACC honors from Pro Football Focus in 2022 and played in all 13 of the Tigers’ games in 2022.

Jackson’s January visit will now be a celebration rather than a recruiting pitch. He knows he’s filling a major need for one of the premiere SEC programs and chose Florida over Miami, the other major contender in his recruitment. Defensive line coach Sean Spencer and defensive analyst Jamar Chaney were Jackson’s major points of contact during the process, according to 247Sports.

He joins the Gators with two years of eligibility left and should play on the interior of the offensive line.

[mm-video type=video id=01gm9vabaxqjsm5qecyv playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gm9vabaxqjsm5qecyv/01gm9vabaxqjsm5qecyv-eee0e7e142b305b5df985aa7fdf3ab20.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=98741,98703,98701,98698,98678]

[listicle id=98687]

[listicle id=98690]

[listicle id=98613]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Let us know your thoughts and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!-

Gators hosting Memphis transfer DL on official visit

Florida is getting Memphis defensive lineman CamRon Jackson on campus in January as Billy Napier looks to replenish talent in the trenches.

Florida will host Memphis defensive lineman [autotag]CamRon Jackson[/autotag] on Jan. 4 for an official visit, according to Gators Online.

Jackson entered his name into the transfer portal on Thursday and Florida quickly began recruiting him. The Gators need to restock its defensive line corps despite adding a handful of prep players at the position during the early signing period and securing a commitment from Louisville transfer [autotag]Caleb Banks[/autotag].

A three-star prospect from the class of 2020, Jackson originally committed to the LSU Tigers before signing with Memphis. Florida, Alabama, LSU, Texas A&M and Mississippi State were some of the programs that offered him out of high school, and now the Gators are back in the fold.

[autotag]Desmond Watson[/autotag] is expected to start on the line next year, and Jackson could easily join him as a starter. During his three years with Memphis, Jackson totaled 51 tackles (25 solo) and recorded five tackles for a loss, including 2.5 sacks for 13 yards. He earned Third-Team All-ACC honors from Pro Football Focus in 2022 and played in all 13 of the Tigers’ games.

Miami should get him on campus in January and it wouldn’t be surprising to see more Power Five programs take interest in Jackson. Florida getting him on campus so quickly could give the Gators a head start in this recruitment.

[mm-video type=video id=01gm9vabaxqjsm5qecyv playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gm9vabaxqjsm5qecyv/01gm9vabaxqjsm5qecyv-eee0e7e142b305b5df985aa7fdf3ab20.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=98741,98703,98701,98698,98678]

[listicle id=98687]

[listicle id=98690]

[listicle id=98613]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Let us know your thoughts and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Taking a look at Florida’s depth chart ahead of the Las Vegas Bowl

The Las Vegas Bowl is almost here and Florida is working with a different look roster after a busy start to the transfer season.

Florida’s depth chart for the Las Vegas Bowl looks a whole lot different from the opening-day roster, but that’s expected as players leave for the draft, enter the transfer portal and suffer injuries over the course of the year.

Starting with the offense, Florida is down players at every position but running back. [autotag]Jack Miller III[/autotag] is making his first start at quarterback with [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] headed to the NFL, and walk-on [autotag]Kyle Engel[/autotag] true will serve as the backup. True freshman [autotag]Max Brown[/autotag] is listed as the third-string option under center.

[autotag]Montrell Johnson Jr[/autotag]. and [autotag]Trevor Etienne[/autotag] are the only available running backs on Saturday, but that duo has the bulk of Florida’s carries over the season so it shouldn’t be a problem.

[autotag]Justin Shorter[/autotag] is preparing for the draft, which means [autotag]Xavier Henderson[/autotag] is the new No. 1 out wide for the Gators. True freshman [autotag]Caleb Douglas[/autotag] gets the No. 2 spot (and his second start) with [autotag]Daejon Reynolds[/autotag] in the transfer portal, and [autotag]Ricky Pearsall[/autotag] is still in the slot. Despite losing some talent from the receivers room, Florida is in an okay spot heading into the bowl game.

At tight end, [autotag]Keon Zipperer[/autotag] is still dealing with an injury, meaning [autotag]Dante Zanders[/autotag] is the starter once again. [autotag]Jonathan Odom[/autotag] was productive as the team’s second tight end towards the end of the season and will get another shot to audition for next year against Oregon State.

Florida’s offensive line features a new face: Redshirt freshman [autotag]Kamryn Waites[/autotag], who will get his first start at right guard with O’Cyrus Torrence headed to the pros. Left tackle [autotag]Richard Gouraige[/autotag] is also going to the NFL, but he could start in the bowl game and is officially listed as an “or” option along with [autotag]Austin Barber[/autotag]. [autotag]Ethan White[/autotag] and [autotag]Kinglsey Eguakun[/autotag] remain at left guard and center, and [autotag]Michael Tarquin[/autotag] returns to the right tackle spot. Christian Williams could see an increase in snaps as the primary backup for either guard spot with [autotag]Richie Leonard[/autotag] injured.

Now on to the defense.

Florida’s defensive line looks the same as it was through the final few games of the season: [autotag]Gervon Dexter Sr[/autotag]. and [autotag]Princely Umanimielen[/autotag] at defensive end, [autotag]Desmond Watson [/autotag]at nose tackle and [autotag]Antwaun Powell-Ryland J[/autotag]r. at the JACK linebacker spot. The big change in the front seven comes at [autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag]’s linebacker spot which now belongs to [autotag]Derek Wingo[/autotag]. [autotag]Amari Burney[/autotag] is the other starting linebacker, but expect [autotag]Shemar James[/autotag] and [autotag]Scooby Williams[/autotag] to get some work in too.

In the secondary, [autotag]Jason Marshall Jr[/autotag]. and [autotag]Jaydon Hill[/autotag] remain as Florida’s starting cornerbacks, and [autotag]Trey Dean III[/autotag] and [autotag]Rashad Torrence[/autotag] will get another run at their respective safety spots. [autotag]Jadarrius Perkins[/autotag] is stepping in for an injured [autotag]Tre’Vez Johnson[/autotag] at the STAR, but that shouldn’t disrupt the defense too much.

[mm-video type=video id=01gdg3yhc6d6jb3c59xg playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gdg3yhc6d6jb3c59xg/01gdg3yhc6d6jb3c59xg-c640babe687004c896ec7a3af514c1b9.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=97866,97860,97835,97833,97828]

[listicle id=97849]

[listicle id=97853]

[listicle id=97814]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Let us know your thoughts and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Gators land first transfer commitment from this former Louisville DL

The Gators may be losing a good chunk of talent to the transfer portal, but Billy Napier is already bringing in players to restock the team.

Florida earned its first commitment of the winter transfer portal cycle on Sunday. Former Louisville defensive lineman [autotag]Caleb Banks[/autotag] announced his decision on Twitter and is headed to the Swamp.

Banks’ commitment comes off an official visit to Florida and a few conversations with Florida defensive coordinator Sean Spencer. He already considered UF as his “dream school,” according to On3’s Gators Online, and spending a weekend in Gainesville only helped confirm things.

The Gators beat out several Power Five programs for Banks, including Auburn, Oklahoma, Tennessee and USC. A three-star prospect out of Southfield (Michigan) High School, Banks impressed during his very limited playing time as a true freshman for the Cardinals. He finished with two tackles, one sack and a forced fumble playing just 38 defensive snaps.

With [autotag]Desmond Watson[/autotag] and [autotag]Chris McClellan[/autotag] likely ahead of Banks on the depth chart, Florida gains a very moldable piece to his defensive line corps. He’s projected to fit at nose tackle next season, but the departure of [autotag]Gervon Dexter[/autotag] to the NFL could force a few different position swaps. Banks give Florida the flexibility to play the best player available at each position.

After losing over a dozen players to the portal, Florida should be one of the most active teams in the transfer cycle. Banks is the first commitment of the season but surely won’t be the last.

[mm-video type=video id=01gdg3yhc6d6jb3c59xg playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gdg3yhc6d6jb3c59xg/01gdg3yhc6d6jb3c59xg-c640babe687004c896ec7a3af514c1b9.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=97744,97725,97715,97717,97711]

[listicle id=97736]

[listicle id=97728]

[listicle id=97666]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Let us know your thoughts and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today

Florida defensive lineman latest Gator to hit transfer portal

Florida losing a ton of players to the transfer portal this offseason. Here’s the most recent name on the list.

Florida’s transfer portal barrage continued on Monday as sophomore defensive tackle [autotag]Jalen Lee[/autotag] indicated his intentions to leave the program, according to Swamp247.

Lee started out the season as Florida’s starting nose tackle but lost playing time to [autotag]Desmond Watson[/autotag] and [autotag]Chris McClellan[/autotag] as the year went on. Perceived playing time is a significant factor in most transfer portal decisions and Florida was expected to lose several players after the first year of the [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] era. Lee is just the latest domino to fall bringing Florida’s total departures to a whopping 28 players.

Fortunately, filling his shoes won’t be too difficult given the development of players like Watson and McClellan. Florida is also bringing in a recruiting class laden with defensive line talent.

Lee joined the team as a member of the class of 2020 and quickly found a role on the team as a reserve defensive lineman. During the 2021 season, Lee played in eight games and made his first-career start in Florida’s Gasparilla Bowl loss to the UCF Knights. He leaves Gainesville with 19 total tackles (five solo) and one sack through appearances in 25 games.

Before joining the Gators, Lee was an LSU commit and had offers from plenty of SEC teams. He shouldn’t struggle to find a new home even if those programs previously interested in him have moved on to different coaching staff.

[mm-video type=video id=01gdg3yhc6d6jb3c59xg playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gdg3yhc6d6jb3c59xg/01gdg3yhc6d6jb3c59xg-c640babe687004c896ec7a3af514c1b9.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=97431,97426,97422,97415,97412]

[listicle id=97276]

[listicle id=97254]

[listicle id=97242]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Let us know your thoughts and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Billy Napier makes big changes to Florida’s depth chart ahead of Week 5

Trey Dean won’t play against Eastern Washington after popping up on the Gators’ injury report this week. Here’s who will start in his place.

The Florida Gators will be without safety [autotag]Trey Dean[/autotag] this week, according to the Week 5 depth chart put out by the team Wednesday evening.

Dean is listed on the injury report as “out” with a lower-body injury, and freshman [autotag]Kamari Wilson[/autotag] is in his place with [autotag]Donovan McMillon[/autotag] listed as the “OR” option. Both are expected to play against Eastern Washington, and that’s far from the only change on the depth chart.

[autotag]Justus Boone[/autotag] is listed ahead of [autotag]Princely Umanmielen[/autotag] at the defensive end spot alongside [autotag]Gervon Dexter Sr[/autotag]., and cornerback [autotag]Jaydon Hill[/autotag] is in the starting spot opposite of [autotag]Jason Marshall Jr[/autotag]. The defense will certainly look different on Sunday, and the shakeup couldn’t come at a better time.

Many fans were critical of Dean’s performance against Tennessee. He blew a few coverages that proved costly, but the truth is that the Volunteers carved up the defense in its entirety.

The front seven already has seen some movement with [autotag]Desmond Watson[/autotag] moving ahead of [autotag]Jalen Lee[/autotag] on the depth chart, and [autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag] is now firmly back in the starting 11 after dealing with his own lower-body injury over the past few weeks.

[autotag]Jack Miller III[/autotag], [autotag]Marco Ortiz[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Tarquin[/autotag] remain on the injury report, but Miller is now listed as “questionable,” which means he should return in the next few weeks. Offensive tackle [autotag]David Conner[/autotag] and tight end [autotag]Arlis Boardingham[/autotag] are no longer on listed on the injury report, but they aren’t on the two-deep either.

Keep in mind that Florida’s opponent this week is an FCS school. If there’s a week to rest some guys, this is it. Expect Napier to try to get some game action out of his reserves if the Gators can run the score up early.

[mm-video type=video id=01gdg3yhc6d6jb3c59xg playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gdg3yhc6d6jb3c59xg/01gdg3yhc6d6jb3c59xg-c640babe687004c896ec7a3af514c1b9.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=92917,92904,92893,92880,92879]

[listicle id=92916]

[listicle id=92822]

[listicle id=92809]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Let us know your thoughts and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Two Florida Gators in latest CBS Sports’ 2023 1st Round NFL Mock Draft

CBS Sports is projecting two Florida Gators players to be 1st round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft.

According to multiple CBS Sports writers, [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] and [autotag]Gervon Dexter[/autotag] Sr. are both projected to go in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft.

Richardson, the 6-foot-4-inch, 232-pound sophomore quarterback, has had the nation talking through the first four weeks of the season. He exploded onto the scene with a jaw-dropping performance in the Gators’ season-opening win over Utah. He then struggled through a loss against Kentucky and an underwhelming win over USF. Despite the Gators losing the game, Richardson played up to his abilities in Florida’s 38-33 loss to Tennessee on Saturday.

Dexter Sr. is a 6-foot-6-inch, 312-pound sophomore defensive lineman who has been one of the Gators’ best trench warriors this season. A lot of attention has surrounded 6-foot-5-inch, 415-pound lineman [autotag]Desmond Watson[/autotag], and for good reason, but Dexter Sr. is one of the leaders of the unit. He is an anchor of the defensive line and has the tools to make it at the professional level.

CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards currently projects Dexter Sr. to be the No. 16 overall pick to the Houston Texans and has Richardson slotted to the Detroit Lions with pick No. 26. Chris Trapasso has Richardson expected to go to the Green Bay Packers with pick No. 29.

Both Dexter Sr. and Richardson will have the opportunity to increase their draft potential throughout the season. Their next opportunity will be on Saturday when the Gators take on Eastern Washington. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast on SECN+/ESPN+.

[mm-video type=video id=01gdg6r8brvgkrae1htc playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gdg6r8brvgkrae1htc/01gdg6r8brvgkrae1htc-055bdf096bbd474ce9766efa747614b4.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=92873,92870,92867,92864,92856]

[listicle id=92822]

[listicle id=92809]

[listicle id=92773]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Let us know your thoughts and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Florida Football Depth Chart: Updates ahead of Week 4 matchup with Tennessee

Big Desmond Watson got a promotion on the depth chart after last week’s performance against USF. Here’s what else is new for Florida as the Gators prepare for the Tennessee Volunteers.

Florida’s Week 4 update to the two-deep roster had some major surprises, but it’s mostly good news for the Gators as they prepare to take on No. 11 Tennessee.

UF will go with [autotag]Desmond Watson[/autotag] as the starting nose tackle this week instead of [autotag]Jalen Lee[/autotag]. Watson had a breakout game last week and recorded his first tackle for a loss as a Gator. At 6-foot-5-inches tall and 415 pounds, Watson requires extra attention from the offensive line, and that should free up other members of the front seven.

The other main updates come from the injury report at the bottom of the depth chart. While backup quarterback [autotag]Jack Miller III[/autotag] remains out with a thumb injury, Florida could be getting a pair of playmakers back this week. Cornerback [autotag]Jaydon Hill[/autotag], who hasn’t played in a game since the 2020 season, is listed as probable, and linebacker [autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag] should be a game-time decision after moving from “out” to “questionable.”

The defense really struggled without Miller last week, so getting him back would be huge from a leadership standpoint. Freshman [autotag]Shemar James[/autotag] is still getting the start in Miller’s place, and this will be his first road game at the collegiate level. If Miller returns, Florida stands a much better chance against Tennessee on Saturday.

Hill’s return is more certain. He’s been out for over a year and recently returned to practice. Don’t expect him to be in for the majority of the game, but he should get some snaps under his belt at some point.

[mm-video type=video id=01gd1gdwe8g4tcvddkrp playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gd1gdwe8g4tcvddkrp/01gd1gdwe8g4tcvddkrp-caea31edd48fbb75eadf018bea47db97.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=92614,92599,92598,92586,92522,92526]

[listicle id=92564]

[listicle id=92464]

[listicle id=92445]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Let us know your thoughts and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!