Florida football has a proud history of producing elite defensive backs, with fans arguing that UF deserves the moniker of “DBU” — defensive back university.
Even as the Gators have struggled with consistency throughout the 2010s, there’s always been elite defensive backs. Cornerback Kaiir Elam was a first round draft pick just this past spring.
That legacy is something Florida is looking to continue and expand upon under a new coaching staff.
Head coach Billy Napier made waves when he hired Corey Raymond away from Louisiana State to coach cornerbacks for the Gators. Raymond’s reputation in the football world is second to none, helping develop many top cornerbacks. He is partially responsible for four LSU defensive backs becoming first round picks, including Tre'Davious White and Derrick Stingley Jr.
Raymond inherits a talented cornerback room that’s already bought into his methods.
Sophomore Jason Marshall Jr. leads the group and is poised to be the next great Gators defensive back. A former five-star recruit, Marshall made huge strides during his freshman season, and despite battling a minor injury in fall camp he should be a major contributor for Florida’s defense.
Opposite of Marshall, things get more uncertain. Redshirt sophomore Avery Helm is a favorite to get the starting role after starting nine games last season. Despite some growing pains, Helm settled into the position over the course of the season and was among the Gators’ better defensive players last year.
Standout freshman Devin Moore could also see significant playing time in his first season. Moore was a longtime Notre Dame commit before flipping to Napier and the Gators. He boasts impressive length for a corner at 6 feet, 3 inches tall and has drawn praise throughout camp.
Defensive coordinator Patrick Toney also serves as Florida’s safeties coach. Safety is one of the deeper positions on the Gator defense, led by experienced starters in fifth-year senior Trey Dean III and junior Rashad Torrence II.
Dean is one of the main leaders for the Gators after deciding to come back for one more college season. He’s a physical, playmaking safety, who has racked up 20 career pass deflections and had 91 total tackles last season alone. Torrence broke out last season, starting all 13 games, making 87 tackles and adding three interceptions.
Junior Tre’Vez Johnson is nominally listed as a safety, but can play a variety of positions across the defensive backfield. He had 39 tackles and two interceptions his first two seasons. Highly touted freshman Kamari Wilson could also see playing time at safety. Wilson was the gem of Florida’s 2021 recruiting class arriving as a five-star from IMG Academy.
The secondary is arguably the strongest area of Florida’s roster. With high-end talent and a few proven contributors, the Gators could bode well shutting down the potent aerial attacks of their Southeastern Conference opponents.
Florida opens its season Saturday against the No. 7 Utah Utes at 7 p.m. in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Contact Topher Adams at tadams@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @Topher_Adams.
Topher Adams is a fourth-year communications major and in his fourth semester with the Alligator. He previously covered football, baseball and women's basketball. He also enjoys professional lacrosse and Major League Soccer.
