Florida had several established upperclassmen to lead the defense in 2012.
Matt Elam was already one of the top safeties in the nation, and Josh Evans had cemented himself at the free safety position.
But this season, Florida is looking to another defender to step up to fill that role — cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy.
“Leadership wise, I’ve developed a lot,” Purifoy said. “I’m talking more from last year.”
Florida remains deep at the cornerback position. Besides Purifoy, the Gators return junior Marcus Roberson and senior Jaylen Watkins. Roberson and Watkins combined for five interceptions in 2012.
Purifoy has seen his stock rise before this season, and he thinks he’s going to be better than he was last year.
“Keeping my hands up,” Purifoy said when asked about how he’s improved. “Finishing tackles … Other than that I’m good.”
But the Gators’ weak spot in the secondary is at safety, where they need to replace Elam and Evans.
Muschamp moved junior cornerback Cody Riggs to safety to help fill the hole. Riggs played in only two games in 2012 before sitting out the rest of the season with a fractured foot.
“It was very frustrating because I didn't even know how I fractured my foot,” Riggs said. “It was just in the middle of the game, I told them something was wrong and then come to find out my foot was broken.
“It was kind of heartbreaking, because we were having such a good season and I had to sit back and watch.”
Muschamp thinks Riggs will be able to improve pass coverage while playing at safety.
Riggs has big shoes to fill — Elam and Evans combined for seven interceptions last season.
“You need to be able to have a guy that can cover in the slot and cover and play man-to-man,” Muschamp said. “And he does that well.”
Said Riggs: “I've worked on covering in the slot better, I've worked on just playing safety, watching Matt and Josh on film. I think I've stepped my game up a lot.” Purifoy thinks Florida will have no problem finding players to step up to replace Elam and Evans. The Gators brought in several highly touted recruits to add to the secondary, including Vernon Hargreaves III, the top cornerback in the country, according to Rivals.com.
“[Vernon] came in smart,” Purifoy said. “He knows a lot. He’s got a good technique … You can tell he put the work in when he wasn't here.
“He can get his hands on the ball, he got a knack for it.”
And at safety, Florida brought in four-star recruits Marcell Harris, Keanu Neal and Nick Washington. Riggs said the young safeties are quickly adjusting to college ball.
“Keanu, Marcell, they look very good,” Riggs said. “They’re still young, so they’re learning the defense, but I think they’re going to be very good players in the future.”
Purifoy said he thinks the secondary needs to work on communicating with each other, but he doesn’t think it will be an issue for long.
“I wouldn’t say it’s quiet, because Muschamp ain’t going to let that happen,” Purifoy said.
Contact Adam Lichtenstein at alichtenstein@alligator.org.
Sophomore Loucheiz Purifoy carries the ball down the field during Florida’s 37-26 win against Florida State on Nov. 24 at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee.
