The Florida Gators are looking to bounce back in week two after an embarrassing loss to Miami to open the season. Head Coach Billy Napier released Florida’s week two depth chart ahead of their matchup with Samford.
Gator Country provides you with three takeaways from the latest depth chart.
New names at wide receiver
Freshman wide receivers Tank Hawkins and TJ Abrams made the depth chart for the first time in their Gators careers, replacing redshirt junior Kahleil Jackson, who made the start in week one despite logging only 19 snaps. It’s unclear if Jackson being left off the depth chart is injury related or performance related, as Napier didn’t specify in Wednesday’s press conference.
Elijhah Badger has been moved to a starting wide receiver role after sharing an OR with Kahleil Jackon last week.
“He’s getting better,” Napier said on Badger. I thought, in particular, he made a few plays Saturday and then I think this week you see just a little bit different level of confidence. I think he settled in a little bit. Big move for him, obviously, big game to start the year, unsure of what it would be like and then for him to experience some success I think was a positive. He’s had a good week.”
Marcus Burke is now listed behind Badger as the backup outside receiver.
“Marcus Burke has had a phenomenal week,” Napier said. “Moved him outside behind Elijhah. He’s had a really good week, And I think as those guys get more experience and have some production, they get more confident.”
Given that it’s an FCS opponent in Samford, there’s a real possibility Florida can work a lot of receivers into the game including Tank Hawkins and TJ Abrams, who are set to make their Orange and Blue debut.
Changes along the offensive line
While the depth chart shows relatively minor changes from week one to week two, Napier’s message on Wednesday was clear; nothing is decided along the offensive line.
“It is literally one day at a time right now,” Napier said on the offensive line depth chart. “Based off of what I watched Saturday, it’s show me on Tuesday, show me on Wednesday, show me on Thursday, and then we’ll decide on who’s going to play.”
Kamryn Waites was on top of Florida’s week one depth chart at right tackle and now shares an OR with Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson. Waites and Crenshaw-Dickson both had 31 snaps in week one. Waites is also listed at first string right guard, sharing an OR with Damieon George Jr.
“Kam Waites can play inside and outside,” Napier said on Wednesday.
Waites found 25 snaps at right tackle and six at right guard in week one.
Many fans have expressed the thought of moving Devin Manuel to right tackle, but Napier says they are sticking with their four-man tackle rotation, which includes Manuel at left tackle.
“Obviously, Devin (Manuel) has played both sides but primarily we’re sticking with that four-man rotation.”
While Florida still plans on rotating tackles, redshirt junior Austin Barber has earned himself a larger role based on his performance last week and what he’s shown in practice this week.
“I would say that he will play a higher percentage of the snaps based on how he performed Saturday and how he’s done so far this week.”
Barber played 39 snaps in week one and Manuel played 17.
Two names to keep an eye on this week are redshirt freshman Caden Jones and true freshman Flecther Westphal, who are listed as third string at right and left tackle.
“We’re trying to get some of these rookies to come on a little bit,” Napier said. “The guys that missed parts of training camp. Caden Jones, Fletcher Westphal, they’re getting reps.”
There are clearly a ton of moving pieces on Florida’s offensive line as they quickly approach their first SEC game against Texas A&M in two weeks.
Injury bug
The injury bug has forced several guys into more prominent roles in week two.
True freshman QB DJ Lagway is expected to make his first collegiate start as returning starter Graham Mertz recovers from a concussion he suffered in week one.
Graduate transfer Joey Slackman will also miss week two, bumping sophom*ore Kelby Collins to the backup ‘end’ behind Caleb Banks.
Starting ‘star’ Sharif Denson will miss week two, bumping redshirt freshman Aaron Gates to the top of the depth chart, who will share an OR with walk on Alfonzo Allen Jr.
Junior cornerback Devin Moore went down with a shoulder injury after just eight snaps in week one. Sophom*ore Ja’Keem Jackson is expected to fill in for Moore while Dijon Johnson will serve as the backup.
Senior safety Asa Turner will also be absent in week two, giving senior DJ Douglas to the starting safety spot opposite of Jordan Castell. True freshman Gregory Smith III will serve as the backup.
