HOOVER, Ala. — AlligatorSports continues its Gators football position breakdown by looking at the safety position.
Florida’s safety corps lost a lot of valuable talent following the 2013 season, as Jaylen Watkins declared for the 2014 NFL Draft and Cody Riggs announced he would transfer to play at Notre Dame for his fifth year of eligibility. Both Watkins and Riggs were the units’ primary starters last season.
Behind Riggs and Watkins last year were redshirt sophomore Marcus Maye and senior Jabari Gorman. Gorman is the more experienced of the two — playing in every game in 2013 and 37 games throughout his career.
Last season, the Miami native was sixth on the team with 48 total tackles. Gorman, given his experience, should start at strong safety this fall.
As a senior, he’ll be the leader of a young group of safeties.
Maye was the starting safety at the beginning of last season, but Watkins took his spot as he moved from corner to safety. Having the starting job and then being replaced by Watkins last year will help Maye mature heading into the 2014 season.
The winner of the free safety spot however could likely go to sophomore Keanu Neal.
Neal’s action was mostly limited to special teams last season, but the Bushnell, Fla., native is primed to have a breakout year.
In his junior year at South Sumter High, he had more than 151 tackles and added four interceptions.
There are a few young players who could come in and contribute early at the position, including redshirt freshman Marcell Harris.
Harris came in as the No. 8 ranked safety in the 2013 recruiting class, but a foot injury he suffered in high school kept lingering long enough to give him a redshirt last year.
He had a productive spring, but has yet to be truly tested at the collegiate level. He has the talent to have a breakout year if he can stay healthy.
Redshirt freshman Nick Washington saw the field for the first time in spring, as a shoulder injury earned him a redshirt in 2013. He had an interception in the spring game.
He came in as the No. 16 ranked safety in the 2013 class.
Follow Morgan Moriarty on Twitter @Morgan_Moriarty
Jabari Gorman (21) tackles Arkansas running back Alex Collins (3) during Florida's 30-10 win on Oct. 5, 2013, in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
