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. 5, S
The safety room’s ceiling is higher than its floor is low, which is why I have them up here at No. 5. This is Corey Raymond’s first year as the coach of all the defensive backs, and I think he’ll have them ready.
Some familiar faces we’ll see in the backend include Kamari Wilson, who was a five-star recruit in the 2022 class, as well as Miguel Mitchell, Dakota Mitchell, and Jadarius Perkins, who I think could have a sneaky good year.
The guy that I think brings this room to the next level is Michigan transfer, R.J. Moten. He’s entering his junior season after playing 14 games last year for the Wolverines with 31 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, two PBUs, and an interception. He started ten of those games.
His veteran presence will help balance out a very young room, and he’ll likely get the start next to Wilson.
From a safety perspective, playing for Armstrong is going to make life easier. In theory.
With all the pressure and chaos he is going to try and cause up front, it won’t give offenses time to develop plays downfield. This will take pressure off of the safeties and allow them to be aggressive jumping routes to force turnovers.
If all goes well, this could be a dream defense for these safeties, and they could produce at an elite level.