SEC Media Days: Five storylines to follow for the Florida Gators

Florida’s trip to Nashville for SEC Media Days is one week away. Gators coach Billy Napier will be bringing wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, offensive lineman Kingsley Eguakun and cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. with him on July 19.

The Gators went 6-7 in Napier’s inaugural season, opening with an upset win over No. 7 Utah before an up-and-down year that ended on three straight losses, including their first at Vanderbilt since 1988.

Florida had a total of 35 departures from its 2023 roster, including six picks in the NFL Draft, and offset that attrition by signing 35 combined players (21 recruits, 14 transfers) in the Class of 2023.

Here are five UF storylines to follow heading into SEC Media Days:

Where does Florida’s QB competition stand?

Napier won’t name a starter in Nashville, but everyone wants to know the latest on the quarterback situation in Gainesville. Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz and Jack Miller III have spent the offseason competing to replace Anthony Richardson, who was drafted fourth overall by the Indianapolis Colts.

Both quarterbacks played one half with UF’s starting offense in the spring game — although Mertz took the first snap as QB1 — and their competition will extend into fall camp. However, Gators Online first reported on June 13 that Mertz was the only quarterback among the 16 team leaders named for summer workouts.

How will the defense improve with a new DC?

Under former DC Patrick Toney, Florida’s 2022 unit ranked 87th nationally in scoring defense (28.85 points per game), 97th in total defense (411.0 yards per game) and 129th in third-down defense (49.7%) out of 131 teams. The Gators also ranked 114th nationally in touchdowns allowed (36), 87th in touchdown percentage (64.29%) and 71st in scoring percentage (83.3%).

New defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong, who drew rave reviews during spring ball, drastically improved Southern Mississippi’s third-down defense and opponent red-zone conversions in his first season. Given Armstrong’s history under Napier and Toney, along his exposure to Kirby Smart and Nick Saban, UF could be better defensively with him calling plays.

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What is the health of Florida’s offensive line?

The Gators lost four starters up front, with Eguakun being the lone full-time starter back. Austin Barber has moved to left tackle and is one of the SEC’s top returning lineman per PFF, but Florida’s O-line left a lot to be desired in the spring game with a projected starter and multiple backups sidelined with injuries.

Starting left guard Micah Mazzccua underwent shoulder surgery in spring ball and his status for fall camp and the season opener will be a major storyline. Kamryn Waites, who made his first career start at right guard in the bowl game, is working his way back from a torn Achilles in January. O’Cyrus Torrence’s backup last season, left guard Jalen Farmer, was also non-contact in the spring with an arm injury.

How have the transfers impacted UF’s roster?

Mertz and Mazzccua are two of 14 total transfers that Napier and his staff added to the 2023 roster. The top 275 of the On3 Transfer Portal rankings features seven Gators, including a top-150 signee in Mazzccua. He is one of three potential transfers who could start on UF’s offensive line, along with Damieon George and Kiyaunta Goodwin. Their competition at right tackle will be one of the top five position battles in camp.

Just as intriguing are the amount of impact transfers on defense. Cam Jackson and Caleb Banks could both start on the interior of the defensive line, former Ohio State team captain Teradja Mitchell will likely take one of inside linebacker spots and RJ Moten is going to open camp as a starting safety. Their effectiveness in the starting lineup will go a long way in determining Florida’s success defensively.

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Can the Gators be a better team this season?

We won’t find out until the games start being played, but this is ultimately what everyone wants to know. After back-to-back 6-7 seasons, it’s imperative for the football program to take a step forward from a W-L standpoint. The Gators have the second-lowest win total line in the SEC from DraftKings, which projected them to win just 5.5 games. We’ll see if Napier and his players address that, but they expect to be better.

That starts, first and forefront, with finishing above .500. Florida simply can’t afford to have another losing record this year. It’s also critical for the Gators to beat at least one of their rivals after going winless against FSU, Georgia, LSU and Tennessee last season. They host the Vols on Sept. 16 to open SEC play. The Gators haven’t gone undefeated in The Swamp or won a bowl game since 2019.

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