20/23 for 2023: It’s all up to Mertz

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• O&B Board: Live from the Grill in the Ville
• Defensive Commits: Ranked too high, too low, or about right
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• 10 Most Wanted
• Orange and Blue Insider: A tidbit on an offensive lineman
• 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. 2-PRINCELY UMANMIELEN (38-points)

• Position: Defensive End
• Class: Junior
• Size: 6-foot-5, 254-pounds

Cam’s Comment:  A slow start followed by a strong finish describes Umanmielen’s 2022 campaign perfectly. He lost his starting spot but bounced back tremendously and finished the season as the Gators’ sack leader (4.5). Now, he’s a day-one starter with a plethora of departures, and he’ll need to live up to the high expectations. If he can make plays in the backfield, he can set up other guys for success by causing bad throws or by forcing runs back inside. Florida hasn’t had extensive success getting to the quarterback in recent years. Umanmielen could be the one to change that. (Voted No. 2)

On the Mark: Maybe the most naturally gifted pure pass rusher I’ve seen during my time covering Florida. A natural quick twitch athlete who explodes off the line like he does can’t be coached. That is natural ability. That talent though hasn’t always been utilized by Umanmielen, who was benched early last season in order to light a fire under him. It worked. He looked like an entirely different player, and won his starting position back. Can he play at a high level for an entire season is the question? Improved depth at the position should allow him to stay fresh for four quarters, which should be a scary proposition for opposing quarterbacks.  (Voted No. 2)

No. 1-RICKY PEARSALL (40-points)

• Position: Receiver
• Class: Senior
• Size: 6-foot-1, 192-pounds

Cam’s Comment: To say that getting Pearsall to return is important would be a complete understatement. Had he left, Florida’s five other returning receivers (non-tight ends or running backs) would only combine for 28 catches for 446 yards and three touchdowns, all of which are less than Pearsall had himself last season. He’ll be splitting time between the slot and outside to give Graham Mertz a reliable and fast target to go to. However, I believe his impact goes far beyond his performance. With the youth behind him, he’ll be crucial in the development of his teammates as the veteran in the room. He’ll also look to improve his draft stock in what should be his final season. (Voted No. 1)

On the Mark: At the end of last season, while he was still deciding about whether or not he would return, I posted that I thought Florida should do everything possible this coming season to get him 15 touches a game between catches, rushes, and punt returns. Months later, my opinion hasn’t changed one bit. He is the only proven playmaker among a group of talented, but inexperienced receivers. The fly in the ointment here may be that while I was projecting him as the slot, he may be lining up outside. (Voted No. 1)

23 MOST VALUABLE NEWCOMERS

No. 2-MICAH MAZZCCUA (43-points)

• Position: Offensive Guard
• Class: Junior
• Size: 6-foot-5, 337-pounds

Cam’s Comment: Last season, it was O’Cyrus Torrence. This season, it’s Micah Mazzccua. An injury and transfer scare in the spring nearly ended his Gator career before it started, but he’s still with the team and has nearly fully recovered from his shoulder injury. He’ll be the starting left guard, creating a deadly duo with Austin Barber on that side of the ball. Torrence changed the trajectory of the Gator offense last season, and they’ll need Mazzccua, who was rated as one of the top guards in the country, to fill those shoes.  (Voted No. 3)

On the Mark: Just before the start of spring practice Florida looked to have solidified the left side of the offensive line with the addition of Mazzccua. Then came his injury, and initial inclination to transfer from the program he just transferred into. Having put that notion to bed, from a photo posted on social media, he looked to be well on his way to a full recovery. Then during SEC Media Days, it was revealed that he hasn’t been 100% cleared for the start of fall camp on Monday. If he is back to full speed sometime during the month of August, Florida’s line will be much better than if Knijeah Harris and Richie Leonard are the starting guard tandem.  (Voted No. 2)

No. 1-GRAHAM MERTZ (46-points)

• Position: Quarterback
• Class: Junior
• Size: 6-foot-3, 218-pounds

Cam’s Comment: It all comes down to the quarterback. While he isn’t flashy, Mertz could be a consistent contributor to the offense while not having to be the face. Billy Napier raved about his playing experience, which completely trumps everyone else in the room. And while his tenure at Wisconsin wasn’t great, he didn’t have a lot of help surrounding him. He’ll be the starting quarterback, and while he doesn’t have to be flashy, he does need to be efficient and consistent. To put it bluntly, his performance, even if the coaches are taking pressure off the quarterback, may mean the difference between eight wins and missing a bowl game. (Voted No. 1)

On the Mark: For the Gator Nation it can’t be comforting to know that how Florida’s season plays out will mostly be dependent on the play of a quarterback, who in his first four seasons of college eligibility has been slightly above average at his best, and an outright liability at his worst. Last season Mertz (57% completion percentage 19/10, 135-rating) had a similar season as Anthony Richardson (54% completion percentage, 17/9, 131-rating) passing the ball, but is nowhere near the threat with his legs. The bottom line is, without the running threat, Mertz will need to up his completion percentage to the 65% plus range while cutting down on turnovers if Florida is to have a successful 2023 season.  (Voted No. 1)

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