Graham Mertz during the Gators' game against the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Williams - Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina / UAA Communications photo by Molly Kaiser
Florida
2023 Results: 5-7, 3-5 SEC
2024 Projection: 7-5, 3-5 SEC
Overview:
Three straight losing seasons is not the expectation in Gainesville, Florida, but that’s the reality Gator fans are living with. The schedule is absolutely brutal. Only the Samford game in week 2 is automatic in my opinion and the opener against Miami is a must-win for Billy Napier’s job security. There is a lot of experience returning, but the Gators will need to win the few games they are favored in and pull off quite a few upsets if they want to go bowling.
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- during the Gators’ Orange & Blue Game on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. / UAA Communications photo by Ashley Ray
Offense:
When the Gators got former five-star recruit and three-year starter at Wisconsin, Graham Mertz at quarterback, there was more gripe than hype from the fanbase. After struggling in the opener against Utah, Mertz was outstanding, posting a 72.9 completion percentage along with 20 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions.
National Gatorade Player of the Year, DJ Lagway is expected to be the savior at quarterback, but a year under Mertz will only make him better. Eugene Wilson heads up what should be a very talented receiver group and while Montrell Johnson will miss being spelled by Travis Etienne’s surprise defection to Georgia, Treyaun Webb got plenty of experience last year and should help with the one-two punch at running back. The line is as deep as it’s ever been under Napier so fans should expect more out of the offense in 2024.
Defense:
When a coach is on the hot seat, heads will roll at the end of the season and Napier canned his defensive line and secondary coaches. Austin Armstrong remains as coordinator but is joined by Ron Roberts who will serve as co-coordinator. The talent, experience, and depth are all there for this unit to take a step forward. Jason Marshall’s decision to return for his senior season along with Devin Moore’s return from injury give the Gators lockdown corners and the addition of Grayson “Pup” Howard to an experienced linebacker room should pair up nicely with a deep and experienced group of linemen. Much like the offense, this group should be better in 2024.
Special Teams:
Jeremy Crawshaw was an excellent punter and Trey Smack was 17-21 on field goals in 2023. The pair return to round out a solid kicking game. Eugene Wilson will return kicks, bringing a game-changer to the return game.
Final Thoughts:
This is the deepest, most experienced group Napier has had at Florida, but the schedule is rated as the toughest in the country and perhaps one of the hardest of all time. The opener against Miami is crucial, but the five-game stretch against Georgia, @Texas, LSU, Ole Miss, and @ Florida State to close the season is a meat grinder that will require at least one win to go bowling. It’s possible the Gators overachieve, but in this writer’s opinion 5 or 6 wins should get Billy another year.
