Defensive report cards for Florida Football four games into the season
![Florida Gators cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. (3) celebrates after a stop during the first half against the Florida State Seminoles at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 25, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_5472,h_3078,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2F213%2F01j8ntfvfz3zqyb361wh.jpg "Florida Gators cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. (3) celebrates after a stop during the first half against the Florida State Seminoles at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 25, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]")
Shemar James: C+ (183 snaps)
Admittedly, if Florida's defensive line was better, there would be less pressure put on Shemar James in 2024.
He's still a solid SEC-level linebacker who has been asked to be Superman to save the defense. When he's not, Florida gets gashed.
Jordan Castell: C- (232 snaps)
In honesty, Jordan Castell should probably get closer to a D-. But he also feels like a victim of scheme as much as the player itself.
He is constantly placed 20+ yards off the line of scrimmage and seems to have zero freedom to come downhill to make a play. His missed tackle rate of 9.1% is one of the better rates on the squad.
Jason Marshall: A (276 snaps)
Credit where credit is due. Jason Marshall was a massive disappointment in 2023 after he was floated as a possible 1st round draft pick.
So far he is one of the lone bright spots in the secondary for Florida. He's been targeted 10 times, but as only given up five receptions with two pass break ups.
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