Revisiting our spring camp predictions for the Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Prior to the start of spring camp, Gators Online made five predictions for what we expected to happen throughout the month and 15 practices. Today we’ll take a look back at what we thought we would see in spring camp, what happened, and how accurate the predictions were.

Revisiting our pre-spring predictions for the Florida Gators

Prediction: Asa Turner will lock in a starting role at safety
Verdict: Correct

Turner didn’t transfer to Florida for his last year of eligibility to sit on the bench. He has nearly 30 starts under his belt from his time at Washington and more than 1,700 snaps. The veteran safety played with the first-team defense during the spring game and he should be starting next to Jordan Castell in the fall.

Prediction: The Gators’ defensive line will give the offensive line fits

Verdict: Dominate was too strong, but they’re ahead

The first-team offensive line garnered praise from the coaching staff. The unit was playing without starting left tackle Austin Barber (shoulder) and tackle Kamryn Waites (calf), which has to be taken into consideration. The first-team offensive line struggled to open running lanes for Montrell Johnson and Treyaun Webb — the pair combined 28 yards on 13 carries. The second team offensive line allowed six sacks.

“I think ultimately we added two portal tackles, we had some players coming back at that position and we have two really good freshmen,” Billy Napier said this spring. “So we feel better about that depth, and even with two guys out we’re able to field two pretty good offensive units. But there’s no doubt the pocket’s been cleaner.”

I still think the Gators will go into the portal to look for a veteran interior offensive lineman if there is a fit that makes sense. Senior Damieon George slid inside to right guard and Bryce Lovett had a really good spring playing multiple positions along the line, including right guard.

Prediction: Joey Slackman will earn a starting job

Verdict: Wrong

This is, in my opinion, less about what Slackman did or didn’t do and more about Caleb Banks taking the next step in his progression. Banks had a productive first year for Florida. He posted 19 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack. He has taken on a leadership role and came out of spring holding on to his starting role. Slackman played with the second-string defensive line in the spring game, finishing with two tackles and a sack.

Florida’s defensive line is fairly deep with offseason additions in Slackman, Brien Taylor, George Gumbs, LJ McCray, and D’Antre Robinson to the line. They’ll get Justus Boone back in the fall after he missed the 2023 season and spring. Florida also brings back Cam Jackson, Tyreak Sapp and Jamari Lyons who had a good spring as well.

Prediction: Myles Graham will be the most impressive early enrollee

Verdict: Incomplete

Graham enrolled early and was turning heads as the team went through winter workouts.

“Stud. Stud,” Shemar James said emphatically. “Myles Graham, he’s a stud. My little bro now. I gotta coach him up, make him the best linebacker he can be. He’s got history here, so when he walks in, he’s ready to work. No slack at all. He’s physical. He’s physical, he can run, he can hit, he can disrupt, all that stuff. So, it’s kind of just getting him in the playbook so he can play fast.”

Unfortunately, Graham missed the spring due to a pre-existing back injury which Graham and the staff chose to take care of in the spring rather than try to tough it out and potentially miss time in the summer and fall.

Prediction: Chimere Dike will solidify a starting role

Verdict: Correct

Dike and Mertz’s relationship and chemistry date back to 2020 when the two were backups at Wisconsin. Mertz and Dike connected on hundreds of passes in practice and then in games during the 2022 season. That helped Dike adjust to a new playbook and get up to speed in a hurry.

We still think the Gators will go buyers in the spring transfer portal at receiver but Dike has earned his starting role on the current roster.

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