Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators
- Offensive Commits: Ranked too high, too low or about right
- 10 Most Wanted
- Orange and Blue Insider: A tidbit on an offensive lineman
- Florida adds another four-star as Jackson pulls the trigger
- Four-star Westphal talks Florida pledge
- Mock Signing Class 1.0
- The Inside Scoop: Florida football players return to face hell
The summer is flying by and the Florida Gators 2023 campaign is approaching quickly. As the players and coaches prepare for their August 31 kickoff against Utah, here at Inside the Gators we take stock of the roster to break down our list of ’20/23′ players for the 2023 season.
It will go like this: the 20 most valuable returning players and then the 23 most valuable incoming players who have yet to appear for the Gators. These are not necessarily the best players but the most valuable in relation to the team having a successful 2023 season.
Cam Parker and Mark Wheeler made their lists, combined them, and here’s how the final tally worked out (points in parenthesis).
This 10-part series will take a look at two returning players along with two new players in each edition.
20 MOST VALUABLE RETURNING CONTRIBUTORS
No. 14-DEVIN MOORE (12-points)
- Position: Defensive Back
- Class: Sophomore
- Size: 6-foot-3, 195-pounds
Cam’s Comment: Moore was an immediate impact signee for the defensive back room despite only being a true freshman last season. However, a lingering shoulder injury led to season-ending surgery, and the defense wasn’t quite the same. Now, he’s back and very well could be the starter opposite of Jason Marshall Jr. If his brief time in 2022 was an introduction to what he brings, then I expect a major impact in 2023 when he’s fully healthy. (Voted No. 12)
On the Mark: Because he was in a black non-contact jersey this spring, which limited him in what he was able to do, I ‘downvoted’ him a little bit more than maybe I should have looking over the roster. Fully healed, he should be in the two-deep rotation this year, and it wouldn’t be the least bit surprising if he pressed for the starting cornerback spot opposite Jason Marshall Jr. (Voted No. 19)
No. 13-ARLIS BOARDINGHAM (15-points)
- Position: Tight End
- Class: Freshman
- Size: 6-foot-3, 245-pounds
Cam’s Comment: Boardingham was poised for early playing time last season before an injury knocked him out for most of the season. Now, with a couple of transfers (Griffin McDowell and Nick Elksnis) and an injury (Keon Zipperer) later, Boardingham not only will get that playing time but will be crucial to the team’s success at the tight end position. Florida hasn’t had much success at the position since Kyle Pitts, and while I certainly don’t think he’ll put up unicorn-like numbers, I’m very high on what Boardingham can do in Billy Napier’s 12 personnel. (Voted No. 14)
On the Mark: To determine his potential impact, you would need to know how Florida envisions him in the offense. He doesn’t have the size of some of the more traditional inline blockers such as Dante Zanders and Hayden Hansen, and we really didn’t see anyone from the position involved in the passing game last year. Was that because they weren’t a good fit, or was it because Billy Napier’s offense doesn’t prioritize the position in the passing game? (Voted No. 13)
23 MOST VALUABLE NEWCOMERS
No. 14-EUGENE WILSON (20-points)
- Position: Receiver
- Class: Freshman
- Size: 5-foot-10, 180-pounds
Cam’s Comment: The newest addition to the receiver room didn’t have the luxury to develop with the team this spring unlike his position-mates Andy Jean and Aidan Mizell. However, he can still have an immediate impact on the receiver room, which still has plenty of question marks for the second-straight season. While he may not start, I do expect him to be a frequent member of the rotation in the slot behind Ricky Pearsall, but this summer and fall camp will be crucial as he catches up and learns the offense. (Voted No. 9)
On the Mark: First of all, it may not show by where I ranked him, but I am a big fan of Wilson’s ability. I think he brings a different dimension to the receiver room in that he is both straight line fast as well as shifty. I put him at No. 20 on my list because he wasn’t enrolled to go through spring practice, and regardless of what the roster reads (he is listed at 180-pounds) the last time I saw him in person, he looked like he would need a good year in a college level strength and conditioning program to be ready to battle in the SEC. (Voted No. 20)
No. 13-DIJON JOHNSON (21-points)
- Position: Cornerback
- Class: Freshman
- Size: 6-foot-1, 195-pounds
Cam’s Comment: Like Wilson, Johnson missed out on spring camp, which will put him slightly behind the early enrollees. He provides the Gators with a strong man-to-man corner with quick speed, fluid motion, and good on-ball skills. The outside starters seem to be set with Jason Marshall and either Jalen Kimber or Devin Moore, but Johnson will likely be in the rotation with fellow freshman Ja’Keem Jackson. I don’t expect it right away, but I wouldn’t be surprised if his workload increases as the season goes on. (Voted No. 13)
On the Mark: The good news for Johnson is that outside of Marshall, and then Jaydon Hill to a lesser extent, no other players at his position have played so well that you would say that they have earned the right to be heads-and-shoulders ahead of Johnson. Actually, take away Marshall, and everyone else should be starting fall practice on a level playing field in relation to each other. Unlike Wilson above, Johnson is arriving on campus with SEC size and missing spring ball as a cornerback isn’t as critical as it is for a receiver. (Voted No. 14)
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