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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, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 09: Donovan Stiner #13 of the Florida Gators makes an interception against Kalija Lipscomb #16 of the Vanderbilt Commodores during the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 09: Donovan Stiner #13 of the Florida Gators makes an interception against Kalija Lipscomb #16 of the Vanderbilt Commodores during the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

Safety

The safety position will showcase a healthy competition between an experienced group of guys that have all proven to stand the storm of SEC offenses.

Fortunately, we all know what we’re getting at free safety with Shawn Davis and Donovan Stiner. Both will be running mates to see who can better control the upper half of the field for Florida football.

It’s certain that the Gators were happy to see Davis continue his education after such a strong junior campaign where he recorded 33 tackles and three interceptions. Many expected him to take his talents to the league.

However, Stiner will obviously show improvements and possibly push Davis for the starting role. Nonetheless, we will probably see another rotation between the two, much like last season.

At strong safety, we can anticipate a healthy Brad Stewart who struggled in competition during much of the 2019 year. Oddly enough, Stewart started more games during his sophomore campaign than his junior.

His numbers reflected this too. In 2019, Stewart booked 28 tackles and added zero interceptions. The year before, he tallied 41 tackles and two interceptions.

Injuries played a major part in his struggles.

Florida football hopes to see a more experienced version of 2018 Stewart.

We can also expect to see Trey Dean make a push here, and though he may not start, I’m sure he will see some snaps after having an identity crisis for all of last season.

Ultimately, there are a multitude of guys that can be swapped and replaced if need be. This is definitely a good problem to have if you are Dan Mullen.

Projection

1- Shawn Davis (free safety)

2- Donovan Stiner (free safety)

1- Brad Stewart (strong safety)

2- Trey Dean (strong safety)

Next. More recruits wanting to see The Swamp. dark

Although it may be too early to project the defensive depth chart for Florida football, this looks about as good as it can get.

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