As the season fast approaches for Florida football, we are continuing our series of the freshmen on campus and what the odds are they appear this season with the Gators. If you follow recruiting, these will be household names. But if not, these can be a good refresher to catch you up to speed.
We have previously profiled:
- Dijon Johnson
- Sharif Denson
- Ja’Keem Jackson
- Andy Jean
- Will Norman
- Kelby Collins
- Aidan Mizell
- Aaron Gates
- Jordan Castell
- Bryce Thornton
- T.J. Searcy
- Treyaun Webb
- Eugene Wilson
- Kamran James
- Jaden Robinson
- Bryce Lovett
Today, we profile another member of the offensive line that, in time, will get his turn, Caden Jones.
Florida Football: Ragdoll physics
Listed at 6’8″ and 345 pounds, it is borderline unfair that Jones was allowed to line up against some high school defensive ends that maybe weighed 200 pounds.
Considered a four-star prospect by three of the four recruiting services, with ESPN as the lone holdout to rank him a three-star, Jones has a senior highlight film that features nothing but ragdolling opposing linemen for almost three minutes.
Playing left tackle for De La Salle in New Orleans, Jones fits the mean streak mold we have seen out of multiple members of this 2023 class.
Another freshman for the Gators that loved to ragdoll people in high school, Caden Jones probably won't see much time this year but should be a key piece in the years to come. pic.twitter.com/SfOJCFow7u
— Hail Florida Hail (@HailFloridaHail) August 23, 2023It isn’t good enough for Jones to pancake you to the ground; he wants to give you an extra oomph to make you regret wanting to play football.
You can view the senior film for Jones here.
Odds of redshirting: High
Now that we hyped you up let’s restate what we said yesterday regarding Bryce Lovett. 12 of the 14 offensive linemen on the roster for Florida who are not a true freshmen took a redshirt year at some point in their career.
It also doesn’t help that Jacob Rudner noted last week that Jones was spotted in a walking boot.
The reality for offensive linemen is that they enter the program, redshirt while acquiring functional strength, and then ball out later in their careers.
Jones will get his chance in time, it just probably won’t be in 2023.