A position-by-position look at the 2024 Gators leading up to fall camp:
DEFENSIVE LINE
What to expect
The Gators’ defensive front was a pushover by season’s end, leading coach Billy Napier to fire coach Sean Spencer and hire Gerald Chatman from Tulane. Chatman, 36, has brought energy and high expectations.
No player could benefit more than senior tackle Cam Jackson. The 6-foot-6 Jackson was 353 pounds entering the spring of 2023, but ballooned more than 20 pounds to limit his considerable range and compromise his conditioning. Sidekick Caleb Banks’ inexperience, including just 38 snaps before transferring from Louisville, undercut his physical stature (6-6, 320). He managed 19 tackles (1.5 for loss) during 12 games, including 11 starts.
Graduate transfer Joey Slackman arrived from Penn, where he was the 2023 Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year after recording 50 tackles (12 for loss), to create depth and competition. Ditto Chatman’s decision to move promising sophomore Kelby Collins inside from the edge of the defense. While a bit undersized, the 6-foot-3 3/4, 275-pound Collins is quick, strong-handed and a potential matchup problem for less nimble interior players.
Mountainous senior Des Watson (6-5, 464) and redshirt sophomore Jamari Lyons should be key rotational pieces. Each has shown playmaking flashes, though Watson’s inability to shed weight continues to curtail his quickness.
At 6-5 and 394 pounds, true freshman Michai Boireau could factor at nose tackle. Texas transfer D’Antre Robinson, a 6-3, 302-pound former standout at Orlando Jones, has position flexibility and boundless upside.
On the roster
Caleb Banks, R-Jr.
Kelby Collins, So.
Nicolas Flynn, R-Fr.
Cam Jackson, Sr.
Jamari Lyons, R-So.
Tyreak Norwood, R. Sr.
Sebastian Scott, R-Fr.
Des Watson, Sr.
Departures
Jaelin Humphries (eligibility)
Keenan Landry, R-Jr. (transfer to Kent State)
Chris McClellan, Jr. (transfer to Missouri)
Will Norman (transfer to Marshall)
Andre Morris (transfer TBD)
Arrivals
Joey Slackman Grad. (transfer from Penn)
Michai Boireau, Fr. (signee)
Projected depth chart
NT — Cam Jackson, Desmond Watson
DT — Kelby Collins, Caleb Banks
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Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
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