Tag: Scooby Williams

Breaking: Former Florida LB Scooby Williams will transfer to Texas A&M

Texas A&M lands Former Florida Linebacker Scooby William through the transfer portal

Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko is on fire in the transfer portal and is hitting on some major positions of need. Back to the defensive side of the ball, they grab a productive linebacker to help replace the loss of Edgerrin Cooper and Chris Russell Jr.

Joining fellow former Florida cornerback Jaydon Hill, Elko has now secured a commitment from linebacker Scooby Williams, who is coming off of his 2023 sophomore season after totaling 52 tackles (27 solo tackles), two forced fumbles, and a sack on the year. In three seasons with the Gators, Williams has totaled 69 tackles while bringing his 6’3″, 230-pound frame that could at least put a bandage over Cooper’s lost production next season.

Texas A&M is already in the Top Ten in the 247 Sports transfer rankings, with more to come in the next few days as Elko keeps pounding the pavement in the transfer portal.

Williams is reunited with his 2023 linebackers coach and current Aggies defensive coordinator Jay Bateman and will join incoming sophomore LB Taurean York, who is coming off a stellar freshman campaign.

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8 transfer portal entrants Alabama could pursue

Alabama has struck gold multiple times by landing stars from the transfer portal. Here are eight names currently in the portal to keep an eye on!

The transfer portal season is upon us. There are players and coaches exiting programs left and right for better situations. The decisions made by these players are done in their own best interest, regardless of how fans online feel about it.

Oftentimes, Alabama lands transfers who are looking to make it to the next level. In the past, the Crimson Tide have helped develop transfers like Tyler Steen, Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Landon Dickerson. All of them have gone on to the NFL and are currently on active rosters.

Whatever the case may be, Alabama has done an exemplary job of recruiting players in the transfer portal.

Roll Tide Wire takes a closer look at eight transfer portal entrants that Alabama could look to pursue.

A trio of transfer portal defenders will join Texas A&M’s visitor list this weekend

Former Florida linebacker Scooby Williams and cornerback Jaydon Hill join cornerbacks Denver Harris and Julian Humphrey to visit Texas A&M this weekend.

Good news regarding Texas A&M’s potential transfer portal additions is on the horizon, as head coach Mike Elko and his new staff are set to host a long list of experienced players looking for a new collegiate destination. As of Tuesday evening, three more defenders will make their way to College Station.

After the surprising news that former LSU and Texas A&M cornerback Denver Harris would be joining the visitors’ list after failing to live up to his lofty recruiting expectations at both SEC programs, it has been confirmed by 247Sports’ Matt Zentiz that two former Florida defenders, linebacker Scooby Williams and cornerback Jaydon Hill will join former Georgia cornerback Julian Humphrey in Aggieland this weekend.

Coincidentally, new Aggies defensive coordinator Jay Bateman was recently the linebackers coach at Florida for the last two seasons and is obviously, as sophomore Scooby Williams is coming off an impressive 2023 season with 52 tackles and a sack, while junior Jaydon Hill recorded 39 tackles and three pass deflections on the year.

Julian Humphrey’s decision to enter the portal is somewhat surprising after initially stating that he would stay at Georgia, as the former Top-100-ranked prospect from the 2023 recruiting class is a Clear Lake, Texas native who revealed to AggiesToday that he will join Williams, Hill, and Harris in College Station, while also planning to visit Texas in the coming weeks.

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Florida’s starting linebacker plans to enter transfer portal

Florida is losing another starter on defense to the transfer portal as linebacker Scooby Williams announces his departure.

The Florida Gators are losing another starting defender to the transfer portal.

Linebacker [autotag]Scooby Williams[/autotag] is the latest member of the Orange and Blue to transfer out, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett. Williams hasn’t officially entered the portal just yet, but Fawcett says he plans to soon.

After three years in Gainesville, Williams leaves the Swamp with 70 total tackles (35 solo), four tackles for loss and one sack over 24 games and 10 starts. He’ll have two years of eligibility after redshirting his freshman year.

Williams was the team’s No. 2 linebacker for most of 2023, starting alongside Shemar James in the middle of Florida’s defense. Once James went down with an injury, Williams stepped into the top spot on the depth chart, but he never truly shined.

Still, Williams was a serviceable SEC linebacker, which is hard to develop. The Gators are bringing in an elite linebacker class this season, though. Myles Graham or Aaron Chiles could easily fill the void left by Williams.

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Florida’s linebacker duo finding success through first four games

The linebacker duo of Scooby Williams and Shemar James might be among the best in the SEC, at least through the first four games of 2023.

Florida’s front seven on defense has impressed over the first four weeks of the season, and perhaps the most exciting pieces of the group are the two inside linebackers — Shemar James and Scooby Williams.

Williams, a redshirt sophomore who played off the edge in high school, saw action in just eight games last year as he continued to learn the position. James, a sophomore, played regularly as a true freshman, and the two are developing into one of the SEC’s best linebacker duos.

When asked about the tandem of him and Williams leading the second level of Florida’s defense, James couldn’t contain a big smile from taking over his face.

“It’s going amazing,” James said. “We’re always on the same page. It’s like he always knows what I’m doing, and I always know what he’s doing. That allows us to play fast.”

According to Pro Football Focus, James is the sixth-highest-rated linebacker in the SEC with a 75.4 defensive rating, and Williams is No. 19 on the list with a 66.6 rating.

Six other SEC programs have a duo inside the top 20, but the biggest upside of Florida’s linebacker corps is its youth. Williams could leave for the draft this year, in theory, but he’s also the perfect candidate to wait another year. James couldn’t declare even if he wanted to, so there’s a high possibility that this duo returns in 2024.

It’s scary to think that Williams is just settling into his new role, and James is only 19 years old. The two are only going to get more familiar as time goes on, and James is a natural leader.

“I would say him (Williams) just being comfortable in the defense,” James said about the defense clicking. “When you know it, you play faster. Just him not second-guessing himself, sort of like what he did last year.”

Williams forced a fumble early on Saturday night, and James said that he felt like he helped set the tone for the defense. The Gators held the 49ers to just 88 total yards in the second half, limiting a run-first offense led by quarterback Jalon Jones.

Defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong tells his players that it is a privilege to play on third downs. James takes that to heart, and he can’t help but chuckle when asked to compare the team’s third-down efficiency in 2023 to last year.

Charlotte converted just three of 12 third-down attempts on the night.

James admitted that the team was a bit sloppy in the victory, but it’s hard to point any fingers at him or Williams. The future of Florida’s defense finally looks bright with these two in the middle.

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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.

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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This Florida linebacker just declared for the 2023 NFL draft

After five years in Gainesville, linebacker Amari Burney is turning pro and has declared for the 2023 NFL draft.

After serving as a team captain for Florida in the Las Vegas Bowl, senior linebacker [autotag]Amari Burney[/autotag] has declared for the 2023 NFL draft.

Burney, a former four-star recruit from the class of 2018, spent five years with the Gators playing at both the STAR position and at linebacker. He made the switch from the secondary in 2019 and was a full-time linebacker by 2020. He appeared in all 37 of Florida’s contests over the past three seasons, starting 18 games, including every game of the 2022 season.

His biggest moment in the Orange and Blue came during the season opener against Utah when he made a game-sealing interception. He also recorded an interception against Georgia and finished the season with a career-high 79 tackles (41 solo).

Burney is the second starting linebacker to depart from the program this offseason, the first being [autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag]. It will be hard to replace that level of talent quickly in the Swamp, especially with other linebackers hitting the transfer portal. Fortunately, Florida is expected to add Ohio State linebacker [autotag]Teradja Mitchell[/autotag] through the portal and has [autotag]Shemar James[/autotag], [autotag]Scooby Williams[/autotag] and [autotag]Derek Wingo[/autotag] to lean on next season.

Burney could be a late-round pick in the upcoming draft with draft grades as high as the fifth round, but he could wind up as an undrafted free agent as well. His combine and pro-day performances should heavily influence whether an NFL team is willing to give him a shot or not.

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This Ohio State linebacker is transferring to Florida

Florida is losing a linebacker to the NFL but it’s also gaining one via the transfer portal as well.

After five seasons with the Ohio State Buckeyes, linebacker [autotag]Teradja Mitchell[/autotag] is headed to Gainesville to join Billy Napier’s Florida Gators, according to Edgar Thompson of the Orlando Sentinel.

The 2022 season would have been his final year at the collegiate level, but Mitchell played in just four games over the regular season meaning he can redshirt and retain a year of eligibility. Mitchell has vowed to play through the postseason with his team, but a waiver granted by the NCAA renders those snaps meaningless when it comes to redshirting.

A former five-star recruit, Mitchell served as a reserve linebacker until breaking out in 2021. He was named one of six Buckeyes co-captains that season and started eight games. Unfortunately, a new defensive coordinator meant that Mitchell’s role would decrease, which lead to a transfer. He played just one defensive snap all season while serving mostly as a special teamer. He leaves Columbus with 64 total tackles, including 8.5 tackles for a loss.

There should be plenty of opportunity for Mitchell to play in Gainesville. Florida has just four linebackers lined up to be on scholarship next year: junior [autotag]Derek Wingo[/autotag], redshirt sophomore [autotag]Scooby Williams[/autotag], sophomore [autotag]Shemar James[/autotag] and true freshman [autotag]Jaden Robinson[/autotag].

Wingo has stepped up as a team leader and James is viewed as one of the freshmen with the highest upside this season, but there should be plenty of room for Mitchell to find snaps along with Williams while Robinson learns the ropes.

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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.

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