Jordan Castell earns starting job in his first game with Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — On Monday, junior cornerback Jason Marshall said the freshmen class came in ona mission to get on the field. Consider that mission accomplished for true freshman safety Jordan Castell. Playing as a freshman in the SEC isn’t easy. Starting your first game at safety for the Florida Gators is nearly unheard of, but Castell will do just that this Thursday in Salt Lake City against the Utah Utes.

“He’s earned it. I think he showed up in January and he’s made the most of each opportunity. We reward what we see,” Billy Napier said on Monday. “There’s a certain level of integrity relative to who plays. I think you got to call it exactly as you see it, not only in respect to the staff but the players as well.” 

Castell, a 6-2, 200-pound safety from Orlando, enrolled in the spring. The Gators’ safety room was wide open and needed an influx of talent. Florida moved longtime receiver Ja’Markis Weston to the room for depth and even added Michigan transfer RJ Moten. The Gators returned Kamari Wilson and Miguel Mitchell, but there was an opportunity in spring camp when Castell enrolled. It wasn’t going to be an easy task. Florida puts a lot on its safeties.

“They’re basically like the defensive quarterback. They tell everybody where to be, relay calls and things like that,” Jason Marshall said. “Just them having that big a role, Kamari (Wilson) he’s a sophomore, Miguel (Mitchell)— sophomore. They have other guys like (Trey) Dean and Rashad (Torrence) that was over them. Just them adapting and being ready. Things like that.” 

What separated Jordan Castell?

The entire defense was given a fresh slate this spring with new defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong. That gave Castell an open door. There were no preconceived notions, or favorite. Frankly, Castell has been on campus longer than his defensive coordinator.

Castell came in and instantly flashed his speed and playmaking ability. He’s a safety who can walk down into the box and play near the line of scrimmage but he’s athletic enough to play up top. That talent started showing in the spring. This fall, Castell started getting his hands on the football. Ultimately, the 18-year old from Orlando proved over and over that he was the best option for the Gators on the backend of the defense.

“He came in, grasped on to the degfense very quickly, adapted very well, and he communicated very well,” Marshall said.

“For him to be able to get the starting job as a freshman is big. The future is bright for him.”

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