Florida Football: Five most important players for the Gators in 2023
![Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) walks off the field during fall football practice at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, August 5, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F1ad110c4265ff30831e9df4afcabfb64415da2afd7ad395d5f527387ccaa9e77.jpg "Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) walks off the field during fall football practice at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, August 5, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]")
Kamari Wilson
Florida’s defense under Patrick Toney had a plethora of issues, one of which was safety play. While he appears to be in the running to make the New York Jets, Kamari Wilson’s predecessor last season was frequently late on rotations, didn’t always know where to line up, and didn’t give much confidence on the back end of Florida’s defense.
But he did know how to flex after giving up a first down, so there is that.
We know that Austin Armstrong is going to bring pressure to the quarterback, but when one does that, it places an added emphasis on the safeties. Either they are the ones blitzing or have added responsibility to hold up in coverage until the blitz gets home.
Florida does add R.J. Motten from the transfer portal, Jordan Castell is a true freshman, and Miguel Mitchell returns, but the weight of the back end of Florida’s defense falls to Wilson.
If Wilson doesn’t make the leap that many anticipate him to make, Armstrong is going to be scrambling for solutions.