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Florida football: Scooby Williams, Gators linebackers must step up vs USF

By Benjamin Henderson

Sep 10, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators linebacker Ventrell Miller (51) is congratulated after he makes a tackle against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators linebacker Ventrell Miller (51) is congratulated after he makes a tackle against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The defense for Florida football was much better against Kentucky than it was against Utah. Some of that was due to the natural progression teams make from week one to week two, but it showcased that Patrick Toney and crew can clean up mistakes.

Brenton Cox and Gervon Dexter held their gap assignments much better, the Gators lined up on the line of scrimmage and not one yard off as if they are playing in the CFL, and the secondary continued to be solid on the back end.

One glowing weakness for Florida football on defense through two weeks of the 2022 season is a similar one it had in 2021; inside linebacker play beyond Ventrell Miller is lacking. Miller will be out against USF and Saturday is a chance for some younger guys to step up and provide some much-needed depth.

Florida Football: Scooby Williams listed as the starter

We listed out all of Florida’s inside linebackers before the start of the season and one thing that stood out is the three former top-100 prospects on the roster:

Shemar James

Derek Wingo

Scooby Williams

James and Wingo are listed on the Gators’ two-deep depth chart for Saturday. James has seen significant playing time as a true freshman. He has played fine and has been credited with one solo tackle, ten assisted tackles, and two QB hits. Wingo has yet to have a tackle.

But it is redshirt freshman Scooby Williams that is listed as the starter alongside Amari Burney. Williams has played in Florida football’s first two games but has had minimal impact. Listed at 6-2, 235 pounds, Williams has the size for the position but not the experience.

In high school, Williams was listed as an edge rusher, and last season he saw action in four games.

Given that Williams is getting the start, on paper, ahead of James indicates that Billy Napier wants to challenge Williams to be the heart of the defense. It could also be a sign that he doesn’t want Burney running the show and is more comfortable keeping things as similar as possible rather than shifting guys around.

From a matchup standpoint, USF should provide Williams as comfortable of a situation as one could ask for. The Bulls pass more than they run, USF doesn’t tend to use their tight ends nearly as often as Utah or Kentucky, and Florida’s defense should not feel like they have to play perfect given that the Gators should be able to run the ball themselves with minimal resistance.

If Williams struggles, Wingo and JUCO transfer Diwun Black should get opportunities to step up themselves. Either way, Florida needs someone to step up in case the injury to Miller is worse than we realize and will have him out for more than just USF.

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