Entering the 2024 campaign, the Florida Gators football team endured more than their fair share of shake-ups on the defensive line. After all the dust settled, it appears that head coach Billy Napier has put together a platoon that could make some noise against opposing SEC offenses this coming season.
While Napier and defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong are sure to keep their rotation of defensive reps steady, here’s a look at who is projected to take starting reps for the Gators in their season-opener against Miami Aug. 31.
Edge: Redshirt junior Justus Boone
Boone is primed for a breakout season. After appearing in all 13 of Florida’s games as a redshirt freshman in 2022, Boone tore his ACL in preseason camp and sat out the entire 2023 campaign.
With the departure of fellow defensive end Princely Umanmielen, who transferred to Ole Miss in December, Boone is ready to serve as an anchor for Florida’s defensive line this Fall. Despite having been out of service for quite some time, Boone made it clear in a media availability session last month that he’s in better shape than ever before.
“The work has went up tremendously, and you can definitely see the output of it,” Boone said. “I’ll take this shirt off, I’m ripped up.”
As a testament to his commitment to the program, Napier awarded Boone with the highly coveted No. 1 jersey for Florida this season. Boone will look to prove his coach right and establish himself as a leader for the Gators.
Sitting behind Boone will be redshirt junior Tyreak Sapp and sophomore Kamryn James, who are expected to get their fair share of reps in 2024. Sapp appeared in 11 games for Florida last season, recording 24 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. James, on the other hand, appeared in all 12 games in 2023, primarily on special teams.
Nose tackle: Senior Cam Jackson and senior Desmond Watson
Jackson and Watson both served as key figures on Florida’s defensive line since their respective arrivals at UF. Watson started 10 games for Florida in 2022, finishing the year with 25 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
After Jackson transferred from Memphis in 2023, however, the pairing went on to split reps at nose tackle last season. Jackson received the brunt of first-team reps, making 11 starts while recording 32 tackles.
Although Jackson has already established himself as a consistent presence on the defensive line, Watson has earned a notable reputation of his own. Measuring in at 6-foot-5 and 449 pounds, the latter has become something of a Florida fan favorite.
The two are once again likely to split reps at nose tackle this Fall, with UF’s Week 1 depth chart listing both as potential starters.
Defensive end: Graduate student Joey Slackman and redshirt junior Caleb Banks
Between the Penn transfer, Slackman, and the program veteran, Banks, Florida will be two-deep lining up on the block in 2024.
Slackman will join the Gators this Fall in his first season outside of the Ivy League. The graduate transfer spent three seasons at Penn, where he was named the 2023 Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year. In his final season up North, Slackman tallied 12 tackles for loss and four sacks, establishing himself as a wrecking ball on the defensive front.
Banks, on the other hand, has already found his footing within Napier and Armstrong’s defensive schemes. The redshirt junior transferred from Louisville prior to the 2023 season and became an impact player. Banks started 11 games last year for the Gators, recording 19 tackles and one sack.
Napier raved about Slackman’s wide-ranging skill sets throughout Spring and Fall camp. The former wrestler-turned-football player has proven to be a vocal presence at Florida throughout its offseason camps and workouts.
While Slackman will likely receive more first-team reps, Banks will be slated to get his fair share of playing time as well.
JACK: T.J. Searcy (sophomore)
Rounding out Florida’s defensive line, Searcy is expected to line up as the team’s JACK, essentially a hybrid linebacker and pass-rusher.
Searcy made quite a name for himself among Florida’s defensive front. The consensus four-star recruit appeared in all 12 games as a true freshman for the Gators last year, racking up 26 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
Now entering his second season, Searcy looks to pick up right where he left off in providing UF’s defense with the quality defensive presence needed from the outside edge role. Backing him up will be redshirt junior George Gumbs Jr., a transfer from Northern Illinois who joined the Gators in the Spring.
Contact Jack Meyer at jmeyer@alligator.org. Follow him on X @jackmeyerUF.
Jack Meyer is a fourth-year journalism major and the Assistant Sports Editor for The Alligator. In his free time, he enjoys reviewing music, spending time with friends, playing video games and going to the gym.
