By Tony Thomas
Head Coach Billy Napier and his Florida Gators are coming off their 3rd straight losing campaign, and a five-game losing streak to end the 2023 season.
With that said, the Gators do return QB Graham Mertz and his SEC-leading 72% completion percentage, RB Montrell Johnson, their top returning receiver in Eugene Wilson, two starters on the offensive line, as well as starters and contributors on the defensive line, at linebacker and in the defensive secondary.
In total, Florida returns 68% of their production from last season, 4th best in the SEC. In addition, Napier went into the transfer portal and found talent to provide depth and fill positions of need, including these three transfers that will make an impact this season.
OT Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson
Previous School: San Diego State Aztecs
6’6”, 310 lbs.
Playing his sixth and final season of college football, Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson brings 36 career starts to Gainesville. Crenshaw-Dickson has allowed just six sacks in over 1,100 career pass-blocking snaps and was penalized only four times all season.
Florida we coming #Gatornation pic.twitter.com/FiWHTrV18k
— Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson (@Brandon_CD56) December 17, 2023
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In addition, Crenshaw-Dickson allowed 10 quarterback pressures in 343 pass-blocking assignments – one QB pressure every 34 snaps.
Grading out at 77% on pass-blocking and 69% on run-blocking per PFF, Crenshaw-Dickson played better at his position than Florida’s starting tackles from a year ago and he projects to be the starter for the season opener.
DL Joey Slackman
Previous School: Pennsylvania
6’4”, 300 lbs.
A season ago, Joey Slackman recorded 50 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks, four quarterback pressures, and a blocked kick, on his way to earning 2nd Team AFCA All-American, 1st Team All-Ivy League, and Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year.
Joey Slackman (Sackman) pic.twitter.com/fzMM9ecAyj
— Saint (@BlackAssShaq) December 18, 2023
Against Brown, Slackman recorded 11 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. For his career, Slackman has 115 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks to his name.
CB DJ Douglas
Previous School: Tulane Green Wave
6’0”, 205 lbs.
Picking off three passes in 2023, DJ Douglas equaled the entire Florida team in INTs. In addition, Douglas recorded 54 tackles, one tackle for loss, and two pass breakups. And, Douglas recorded five or more tackles in a game seven times last season.
BOOM ‼️ Florida lands a commitment from Former Tulane DB DJ Douglas! He brings experience and production to a young DB room. pic.twitter.com/JazxGnGWrE
— Swamp_Editz (@Swamp_Editz) January 7, 2024
Douglas fills a position of great need for the Gators, after losing three starters and two backups from the secondary. For his career, Douglas has posted 80 tackles and four INTs.
With the #14 class in the 2024 recruiting cycle, one that includes 5-star early enrollees QB DJ Lagway and DL LJ McCray, the Gators have the talent to improve their status in the win column and post a winning record for the first time since 2020. And in the process, douse the flames on Napier’s coaching seat.
