Projected Starting Lineup
**=Returning Starter
Offense
QB:Emory Jones, Junior
RB:*Dameon Pierce, Senior*
WR1: Jacob Copeland, RS Junior
WR2: Justin Shorter, Junior
WR3: Trent Whittemore, Sophomore
TE: Kemore Gamble, Senior
LT:*Richard Gouraige, Junior*
LG:Ethan White, Junior
C:*Stewart Reese, Senior*
RG:Joshua Braun, Sophomore
RT: *Jean Delance, Senior*
Defense
DE: *Zachary Carter, Senior*
DT: Daquan Newkirk, Senior*
NT: Antonio Shelton, Senior
DE: *Brenton Cox, Junior*
LB: *Ventrell Miller, Senior*
LB: *Mohamoud Diabate, Junior*
NLB: Tre’Vez Johnson, Sophomore
CB: Jaydon Hill, Junior
CB: *Kaiir Elam, Junior*
SS: Trey Dean, Senior
FS: Rashad Torrence II, Sophomore
Special Teams
K: Jace Christmann, Senior
P: Jeremy Crawshaw, Freshman
KR: Jacob Copeland, RS Junior
PR: Jacob Copeland, RS Junior
Returning Production:
The main reason for optimism in Gainesville is the returning of starters Zachary Carter,former Georgia transfer Brenton Cox on the defensive line as well as linebackers Ventrell Miller and Mohamoud Diabate that make up one of if not the best front sevens in the SEC.
New Starters:
Florida has to replace its entire receiving core but junior Jacob Copeland should give Florida fans lots of optimism. Emory Jones, a former high end four-star recruit, replaces Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft pick and Heisman finalist Kyle Trask at QB. Florida also has to replace three of the four players in its defensive backfield as its left guard position.
Schedule Preview
Florida Atlantic (9/4)
Florida does not open up with nobodies. Florida Atlantic and South Florida can pose challenges to this likely run-heavy Florida team. But Florida needs to win this one to get some confidence. Projected Score: Florida 27, Florida Atlantic 17
at.South Florida (9/11)
I expect this game to be very similar to the FAU game. Close but then Florida pulls away late. Projected Score: Florida 38, South Florida 27
Alabama (9/18)
Florida’s young offense needs to be ready to face not only Alabama’s defense but to match Alabama’s scoring as well. That will be hard to do. Projected Score: Alabama 38, Florida 21
Tennessee (9/25)
Tennessee might be the worst or second worst team in the SEC even with the the transfers they’ve added. Florida blows the Vols out. Projected Score: Florida 42, Tennessee 24
at.Kentucky (10/2)
Georgia is in its own tier in the SEC East in most of the media’s eyes. Florida, Kentucky, and Missouri are the three teams in the division fighting for that second place finish. This game will be a big factor in deciding that. Projected Score: Kentucky 31, Florida 24
Vanderbilt (10/9)
Florida blows the ‘Dores out. Projected Score: Florida 55, Vanderbilt 10
at.LSU (10/16)
This is the toughest game to pick on this schedule for me. Will QB Emory Jones have developed an at least decent passing game to beat a pretty impressive LSU defense coming back. I don’t think so. Projected Score: LSU 31, Florida 10
Georgia (10/30)
Georgia’s going to win this game. There’s not much else to say. Projected Score: Georgia 42, Florida 27
at.South Carolina (11/6)
Florida gets a pretty easy win over South Carolina. Projected Score: Florida 24, South Carolina 10
Samford (11/13)
Florida’s easiest game of the season here. Projected Score: Florida 48, Samford 7
at.Missouri (11/20)
This game will not be easy for either team. But I can’t not trust Dan Mullen and his play-calling ability. Florida picks up a much needed win going into Florida State week. Projected Score: Florida 42, Missouri 38
Florida State (11/27)
In Mike Norvell’s second season in Tallahassee, expect things to be much better. I expect both teams to come in with similar records so it should be a great game. Projected Score: Florida State 28, Florida 21
Projected Record: 7-5 (4-4)
Incoming 2021 Recruits (per 247sports)
28.Jason Marshall, CB, Miami,FL (Miami Palmetto)
73.Jeremiah Williams, DE, Birmingham,AL (Ramsay)
105.Corey Collier, S, Miami,FL (Miami Palmetto)
147.Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, QB, Cartersville,GA (Cartersville)
182.Carlos Burke, WR, Jacksonville,FL (Trinity Christian Academy)
202.Donovan McMillion, S, Canonsburg,PA (Peters Township)
