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Florida football: Pre-Season Gators’ defensive depth chart

By Ty Butler

COLUMBIA, SC - NOVEMBER 11: Defensive lineman Jabari Zuniga #92 and defensive lineman Khairi Clark #54 of the Florida Gators sack Jake Bentley #19 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SC - NOVEMBER 11: Defensive lineman Jabari Zuniga #92 and defensive lineman Khairi Clark #54 of the Florida Gators sack Jake Bentley #19 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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GAINESVILLE, FL – SEPTEMBER 01: Ventrell Miller #51 of the Florida Gators dives over London Johnson #1 of the Charleston Southern Buccaneers for a loose ball during the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Linebacker

Whoever steps into the role of middle linebacker will have gigantic shoes to fill after the departure of David Reese, who displayed great talent and unquestionable leadership.

This position is an incredibly important role that prefers a large stature and a competitive personality. One must become a true vocal leader for his football team.

And when looking at the depth chart, it’s obvious that Ventrell Miller fits this mold.

Miller happens to be a sneaky fast player that possesses great pursuit to the football. He also has the frame to fight off blocks.

He will undoubtedly be the leading candidate to start at middle linebacker in 2020.

One of Florida’s biggest issue in recent years has been the inability to cover from the linebacker position. Many teams took advantage of this throughout the years which proved to haunt Florida football.

If the Gators want to refine, they must be able to show improvement when isolated with tight ends and running backs out of the backfield.

Eventually, nine-yard dump-offs add up and can decide a football game.

This is where Mohamoud Diabate comes into play. Diabate is an athletic defender that can be trusted in open space. And while he may give up size at middle linebacker, his athleticism makes up for it.

However, there’s no telling where Diabate will play. He, and a few others, have the unorthodox ability to be able to perform steadily at any given position.

There is also the junior, Lacedrick Brunson. A guy who contributed in all 13 games last season, recording 22 tackles and a sack to his stat sheet.

Now, for the weak-side linebacker position.

This role will be filled by none other than James Houston, a junior who plans for a breakout year in 2020.

While it looks like Houston will claim the starting spot, Diabate should also get some playing time here.

Projection

1- Ventrell Miller (middle linebacker)

2- Lacedrick Brunson or Mohamoud Diabate (middle linebacker)

1- James Houston (weak-side linebacker)

2- Mohamoud Diabate (weak-side linebacker)

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