Projected Depth Chart 2023

[Escambia94]

Here is the projected depth chart for 2023:

Name	Pos	Depth	Class	Rtg	Ht	Wt	Hometown/ HS	Prev School
Graham Mertz​	QB	1​	TrJr. (2023)​	90​	6-3​	218​	Overland Park, Kan. / Blue Valley North​	Wisconsin​
Jack Miller III​	QB	2​	TrSo. (2022)​	86​	6-3​	222​	Scottsdale, Ariz. / Chaparral​	Ohio State​
Max Brown​	QB	3​	R-Fr. (2022)​	87​	6-2​	212​	Tulsa, Okla. / Lincoln Christian​	​
Micah Leon​	QB	4​	TrGr (2023)​	n/a​	6-5​	224​	Boynton Beach, Fla. / Boca Raton​	N.C. State / UConn​
Parker Leise​	QB	5​	Fr. (2023)​	n/a​	6-2​	218​	Omaha. Neb. / IMG Academy​	​
Caleb Douglas​	WR/ WR-X​	1​	So. (2022)​	88​	6-3​	202​	Missouri City, Texas / Hightower​	​
Andy Jean​	WR/ WR-X​	2​	Fr. (2023)​	90​	6-1​	198​	Miami, Fla. / Miami Northwestern​	​
Ricky Pearsall​	WR/ WR-Y​	1​	TrSr. (2022)​	89​	6-1​	192​	Chandler, Ariz. / Corona Del Sol​	Arizona State​
Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman​	WR/ WR-Y​	2​	So. (2022)​	85​	6-0​	201​	Minneapolis, Minn. / Armstrong​	Independence CC​
Eugene Wilson III​	WR/ WR-Y​	3​	Fr. (2023)​	95​	5-10​	180​	Tampa, Fla. / Gaither​	​
Marcus Burke​	WR/ WR-Z​	1​	R-So. (2021)​	​	6-4​	199​	Jacksonville, Fla. / Trinity Christian Academy​	​
Ja'Quavion Fraziars​	WR/ WR-Z​	2​	Sr. (2020)​	92​	6-4​	218​	Dunnellon, Fla. / Dunnellon​	​
Aidan Mizell​	WR/ WR-Z​	3​	Fr. (2023)​	92​	6-2​	167​	Orlando, Fla. / Boone​	​
Dante Zanders​	TE​	1​	R-Sr.​	​	6-5​	245​	Boca Raton, Fla. / Boca Raton​	​
Arlis Boardingham​	TE​	2​	R-Fr. (2022)​	90​	6-3​	245​	Van Nuys, Calif. / Birmingham​	​
Hayden Hansen​	TE​	3​	R-Fr. (2022)​	80​	6-6​	261​	Weatherford, Texas / Weatherford​	​
Jonathan Odom​	TE​	4​	Jr. (2021)​	​	6-5​	249​	Tampa, Fla. / Jesuit​	​
Tony Livingston​	TE​	5​	R-Fr. (2022)​	87​	6-5​	242​	Tampa, Fla. / King​	​
Montrell Johnson Jr.​	RB​	1​	TrJr. (2022)​	90​	5-11​	217​	New Orleans, La. / De La Salle​	Louisiana​
Trevor Etienne​	RB​	2​	So. (2022)​	88​	5-9​	213​	Jennings, La. / Jennings​	​
Cam Carroll​	RB​	3​	TrSr. (2023)​	87​	6-0​	231​	Flowood, Miss. / Northwest Rankin​	Tulane​
Treyaun Webb​	RB​	4​	Fr. (2023)​	90​	5-11​	213​	Jacksonville, Fla. / Trinity Christian Academy​	​

 

[Escambia94]

Here is the offensive line:

Name	Pos	Depth	Cl	Rtg	Ht	Wt	Hometown/ HS	Prev Sch
Austin Barber​	OL/ LT​	1​	R-So. (2021)​	90​	6-6​	305​	Jacksonville, Fla. / Trinity Christian Academy​	​
Lyndell Hudson II​	OL/ LT​	2​	TrSr. (2023)​	86​	6-5​	329​	Brooksville, Fla. / Central​	FIU​
Christian Williams​	OL/ LT​	3​	R-Fr. (2022)​	86​	6-4​	310​	Missouri City, Texas / Fort Bend Marshall​	​
Knijeah Harris​	OL/ LG​	1​	Fr. (2023)​	88​	6-3​	325​	Port St. Lucie, Fla. / IMG Academy​	​
Micah Mazzccua​	OL/ LG​	1​	TrJr. (2023)​	90​	6-5​	337​	Philadelphia, Pa. / St. Frances Academy​	Baylor​
Kingsley Eguakun​	OL/ OC​	1​	R-Jr.​	​	6-3​	302​	Jacksonville, Fla. / Sandalwood​	​
Jake Slaughter​	OL/ OC​	2​	R-So. (2021)​	85​	6-5​	301​	Sparr, Fla. / Trinity Catholic​	​
Roderick Kearney​	OL/ OC​	3​	Fr. (2023)​	94​	6-4​	287​	Jacksonville, Fla. / Orange Park​	​
Richie Leonard IV​	OL/ RG​	1​	Jr. (2021)​	​	6-2​	310​	Cocoa, Fla. / Cocoa​	​
Jalen Farmer​	OL/ RG​	2​	R-Fr. (2022)​	87​	6-5​	307​	Covington, Ga. / Eastside​	​
Riley Simonds​	OL/ RG​	3​	R-Jr.​	​	6-3​	304​	Buford, Ga. / Buford​	​
Damieon George Jr.​	OL/ RT​	1​	TrSo. (2023)​	89​	6-6​	361​	Houston, Texas / North Shore​	Alabama​
Jordan Herman​	OL/ RT​	2​	TrSo. (2022)​	n/a​	6-8​	371​	Fort Mill, S.C. / Fort Mill​	Hutchinson CC​
Kiyaunta Goodwin​	OL/ RT​	N/A​	TrSo. (2023)​	91​	6-8​	355​	Louisville, Ky. / Charleston (Ind.)​	Kentucky​

 

[DRU2012]

As for what it all adds up to, well, we will begin to get some real evidence in just over a month now.
We all hope for the best--with plenty of reservations and concerns.
Overall I'd say I am pretty optimistic concerning our steady growth under Billy and his staff...BUT:
While much of that "optimism" rests on improved talent, depth and coaching on Defense, it will be on the offensive side, particularly Billy's quiet but clear choice at QB that will likely determine our ultimate record. In other words, the revamped D may keep things close in a number of games, but how Mertz leads the offense will most affect the actual outcome in those same "close ones".

 

[Escambia94]

Defensive Line and Linebackers

Name	Pos	Depth	Cl	Rtg	Ht	Wt	Hometown/ HS	Prev Sch
Tyreak Sapp	DE	1	So. (2022)
Kelby Collins	DE	2	Fr. (2023)
Kamran James	DE	3	Fr. (2023)
Cam Jackson	NT	1	Tr.Sr. (2020)
Desmond Watson	NT	2	Jr. (2021)
Jamari Lyons	NT	3	R-Fr. (2022)
Chris McClellan	DT	1	So. (2022)
Caleb Banks	DT	2	R-So/Tr (2021)
Will Norman	DT	3	Fr. (2023)
Princely Umanmielen	JACK	1	So. (2022)
Jack Pyburn	JACK	2	So. (2022)
TJ Searcy	JACK	3	Fr. (2023)
Terajda Mitchell	MIKE	1	R-SrTr (2020)
Derek Wingo	MIKE	2	Jr. (2021)
Jaden Robinson	MIKE	3	Fr. (2023)
Shemar James	WILL	1	So. (2022)
Mannie Nunnery	WILL	2	R-Jr/Tr (2021)
Scooby Wiliams	WILL	3	R-So (2021)

 

[Escambia94]

Defensive Secondary

Jalen Kimber	LCB	1	R-Jr/Tr (2020)
Devin Moore	LCB	2	So. (2022)
Dijon Johnson	LCB	3	Fr. (2023)
Miguel Mitchell	SS	1	So. (2022)
Jordan Castell	SS	2	Fr. (2023)
Dakota Mitcheell	SS	3	R-So (2021)
RJ Moten	FS	1	SrTr (2020)
Kamari Wilson	FS	2	So. (2022)
Bryce Thornton	FS	3	Fr. (2023)
Jason Marshall	RCB	1	Jr. (2021)
Ja'Keem Jackson	RCB	2	Fr. (2023)
Ethan Pouncey	RCB	3	R-So (2021)
Jaydon Hill	STAR	1	Jr. (2021)
Jadarrius Perkins	STAR	2	Fr. (2023)
Sharif Denson	STAR	3	Fr. (2023)

 

[Escambia94]

Here is how the offensive depth chart has evolved since the preseason.

Name	Pos	Preseason Depth	Week 1 Depth (Utah)	Week 6 Depth (Vanderbilt)	Week 3 (FSU)
Graham Mertz	QB	1	1	1	injured
Jack Miller III	QB	2	injured	2	injured
Max Brown	QB	3	2	3	1
Micah Leon	QB	4	3	4	2
Parker Leise	QB	5	4	5	3
Caleb Douglas	WR/ WR-X	1	1 (WR-X)	injured	injured
Andy Jean	WR/ WR-X	2	3 (WR-X)	2 (WR-Z)	3 (WR-X)
Ricky Pearsall	WR/ WR-Y	1	1 (WR-Y)	1 (WR-Y)	1 (WR-Y)
Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman	WR/ WR-Y	2	injured	injured	2 (WR-X)
Eugene Wilson III	WR/ WR-Y	3	2 (WR-Y)	1 (WR-X)	1 (WR-X)
Marcus Burke	WR/ WR-Z	1	2 (WR-X)	2 (WR-Y)	2 (WR-Z)
Ja'Quavion Fraziars	WR/ WR-Z	2	2 (WR-Z)	2 (WR-Y)	2 (WR-Y)
Aidan Mizell	WR/ WR-Z	3	3 (WR-Y)	3 (WR-Y)	3 (WR-Z)
Kahleil Jackson	WR	0	1 (WR-Z)	1 (WR-Z)	1 (WR-Z)
Taylor Spierto	WR	0	3 (WR-Z)	3 (WR-Y)	3 (WR-Y)
Zak Sedaros	WR	0	0	3 (WR-Z)	injured
Dante Zanders	LTE	1	1 (LTE)	2 (LTE)	2 (LTE)
Arlis Boardingham	LTE	2	2 (RTE)	1 (RTE)	1 (RTE)
Hayden Hansen	LTE	3	2 (LTE)	1 (LTE)	1 (LTE)
Jonathan Odom	RTE	1	3 (LTE)	injured	injured
Tony Livingston	RTE	2	1 (RTE)	1 (RTE)	2 (RTE)
Montrell Johnson Jr.	RB	1	1	1	1
Trevor Etienne	RB	2	2	2	2
Cam Carroll	RB	3	injured	injured	injured
Treyaun Webb	RB	4	3	3	3

 

[DRU2012]

If anything a "painful review"...
In many ways a recitation of "slow death", a recounting of "lost hopes as we lost our way in 2023"--THAT is what the above list signifies for me.

 

[Escambia94]

Of the one-time starters on the 2023 depth charts, the Gators will be returning 17 athletes. The roster of returners is down to 62. There are 18 2024 freshmen, bringing the roster to 80. This leaves room for 5 transfers.

Full Name​	Pos.​	2024 CL​	Rtg​
Jason Marshall Jr.​	CB/ RCB​	Sr. (2021)​	98​
Shemar James​	ILB/ WILL​	Jr. (2022)​	95​
Justus Boone​	DE/ EDGE​	R-So (2021)​	92​
Marcus Burke​	WR/ WR-Z​	R-So (2021)​	92​
Austin Barber​	OL/ LT​	R-So (2021)​	90​
Cam Jackson​	DL/ NT​	Sr. (2020)​	90​
Graham Mertz​	QB​	R-Sr. (2019)​	90​
Micah Mazzccua​	OL/ LG​	Sr. (2020)​	90​
Montrell Johnson Jr.​	RB​	R-Sr. (2021)​	90​
Damieon George Jr. ​	OL/ RT​	R-Sr. (2020)​	89​
Knijeah Harris​	OL/ LG​	R-Jr. (2020)​	88​
Ja'Markis Weston​	WR/ KR​	R-Sr. (2019)​	87​
Richie Leonard IV​	OL/ RG​	Sr. (2020)​	85​
Miguel Mitchell​	S/ SS​	Jr. (2022)​	84​
Trey Smack​	K​	Jr. (2022)​	79​
Jeremy Crawshaw​	P​	Sr. (2020)​	76​
Rocco Underwood​	LS​	R-Jr. (2021)​	75​

 

[DRU2012]

Considering that 2023 team's record (and how it got that way) you'd have to say that "high turnover" is not necessarily a BAD thing...IF we replenished it with the kind of "elite talent" we were supposedly anticipating as "on the way in 2024". But it was not to be.
Still and all, even if much of the reasons and larger forces behind our failures there, OR the '23 season's game-by-game results, are NOT necessarily the direct fault of Billy Napier except in a handful of confused sequences more the result of lategame chaos than anything else, the fact still remains that there was still too much talent on this squad for it to end up out of the post season, one of the worst teams in college football and at the bottom of its conference (even if that conference IS the SEC)...And there is no escaping this: THAT finally comes down to poor COACHING.
All the rest of the extensive rationalizing and hand-wringing grasping at hopeful straws, turning to the next set of opportunitues that prove after everything to be hollow and empty of substantive advantage themselves, at SOME point we will all simply be left with the simple naked and inescapeable truth: That THIS is a broken program, led by a sadly ill-prepared Coach, in over his head in a bad situation, probably way beyond his or ANYONE'S capabilities from the very START.
Only a miracle combination of good luck, great timing and experience all in the service of brilliant Coaching at both the strategic and tactical levels, none of which by the way were particularly forthcoming, could have possibly avoided the black hole we are now unavoidably being sucked ever deeper into.
There's little more to say now--nor WILL there be for a number of seasons I'm afraid. my friends.
I'll be happy to tell you when that changes--even HAPPIER to admit if it turns out that I was wrong abd this somehow gets turned around in a season or two--but for the moment all I can give you is the unvarnished TRUTH as I see it...and what I see is "more", and "worse".
Beyond that, the best I can offer for now is to at least TRY to back off, share more sparingly and at least attempt finding and noting what "positive signs of hope and change-for-the-better" as they presumably somehow do arise.
"Through all kinds of weather", "Won't Back Down."