Florida football position power rankings for 2023
By Will Thomas
![Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier gestures alongside Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15), Florida Gators running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (2), and Florida Gators running back Trevor Etienne (7) 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%2F480a5b26fd88c46cc6584e625d49514ed8d5ea53369dc6ed817b549db865e63c.jpg "Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier gestures alongside Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15), Florida Gators running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (2), and Florida Gators running back Trevor Etienne (7) 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]")
Florida football position power rankings: No. 6, EDGE
I wish I was able to put the EDGE group a little higher, but Justus Boone’s injury leaves a question mark that I can’t quite put over a few other positions.
The one certainty in this room, similar to the wideouts, is the returning vet in Princely Umanmielen. He had 39 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles last season as a part of a struggling Patrick Toney defense.
Across from him was going to be Justus Boone, but his season-ending injury leaves a gap that a few guys are in the running to fill.
Down on the EDGE depth chart are guys like T.J. Searcy and Jack Pyburn, as well as freshman Kelby Collins and Kamran James.
Many people are excited to see Jack Pyburn this season as he seems to be a major breakout candidate on the defensive side of the ball.
But on Sunday it was announced that Tyreak Sapp was changing his position from DL to EDGE, which was the spot where he was so good in high school. Given how soon after Boone’s injury the coaching staff decided to make this move makes me think that they believe Sapp is the answer at that spot.
So I have no issue with the talent at EDGE for the Gators this fall, and I believe that Armstrong is going to use them well and put them in positions to make plays in the backfield. Like LB, they could skyrocket up these ranks later in the year based on how they perform, but with a lot of new faces, I have them sitting at six.