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Florida Football: Seven Gators we have been thankful for in 2023

By Benjamin Henderson

Sep 9, 2023; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) hands the ball to Florida Gators running back Trevor Etienne (7) during the second half against the McNeese State Cowboys at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2023; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) hands the ball to Florida Gators running back Trevor Etienne (7) during the second half against the McNeese State Cowboys at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Florida Gators linebacker Shemar James (6) looks at the quarterback during the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL on Saturday, October 28, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]
Florida Gators linebacker Shemar James (6) looks at the quarterback during the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL on Saturday, October 28, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun] /

Florida Football Players On Defense We Are Thankful For

It is amazing how perception can change over the course of the season. Florida football fans entered the season with the hopes of an improved defense under new Austin Armstrong, which seemed like it was going to come to fruition during the front half of the season.

But injuries, defections, underperformance, and a couple of questionable tactical decisions turned what was a top-ten unit to start the season into a bottom-tier unit by now.

There are still two players that we are thankful for in 2023.

Shemar James

If James doesn’t blow out his kneecap, thanks to the City of Jacksonville, there is a pathway for Florida to beat Arkansas and Missouri.

His play during the front half of the season was rock solid, and he always seemed to be in the correct position and made sure everyone else was, too.

While Napier tried to shore up the linebacker room in the transfer portal last offseason, the injury to James revealed that quality middle linebackers don’t just grow on trees.

His recovery and contribution will be key for 2024.

Princely Umanmielen

We get it, he doesn’t have the sack numbers that some Florida football fans would like. But following the preseason injury to Justus Boone, Umanmielen had to be a one-man show along the edge this season.

His drive has never been questioned (well, at least not by people who understand defensive assignments), and there have been cases this season where he has run 40 yards down the field to make the tackles.

He will probably leave after this season for the NFL, but we would love to see him give it one more go with Florida football in 2024.

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