Here’s what the Gators need to get from the transfer portal this spring
Billy Napier is continuing his pursuit of players for his next class with a big recruiting month and more to come.
But as Florida fans are aware, he’s not done with this last one.
To paraphrase the Avett Brothers, “Two words that be-came hard to say … Transfer and Portal.”
Florida has eight spots left on an incomplete roster that UF plans to fill with players from other teams, mostly from the portal that sometimes was glorious for Dan Mullen and other times simply didn’t work out.
The programs that are currently among the elite (Florida has a ways to go to get back there) use the transfer portal because they want to plug a hole or three here and there with players who were stars at other schools.
Napier has no choice because of the late start to a recruiting class that turned out pretty good but still leaves a roster with plenty to be desired.
Napier has a portion of his “army” working on nothing but the portal, identifying players who can help right away and making sure they are good fits for the culture he is trying to install in Gainesville.
So, what kind of players should Florida be looking for? It’s not like they have their pick of the fleeing players but there are plenty of them available.
There is also this – once spring football is over, there will be a mad rush to the portal for players who don’t like where they stand on their current teams. And certainly, that can happen at UF, so the roster could be further depleted in terms of numbers.
That said, here is what I would go after if I was the coach at Florida, although to be honest I have not been asked for any advice so far.
A speedy receiver
One of the issues for Florida last year was a lack of elite speed at wide receiver. It would be great if Florida could hit the Van Jefferson jackpot again, but the main thing the Gators should be looking for is someone who can force defenses to account for someone who can get behind the secondary.
Let’s make that two
Seriously, we all know what Florida football has looked like when there were multiple deep threats on the team. Steve Spurrier forced defenses to play on their heels because of all the speed he had on his best teams (for example, Reidel Anthony, Ike Hilliard and Jacquez Green).
Urban Meyer did it as well in winning two national titles. Mullen’s three good teams had the same thing going for them. His fourth team did not.
So, you can’t have enough speed at that position.
Another edge rusher
They may not be able to find someone at the level of Jon Greenard, who transferred in from Louisville, but Florida needs someone who can compliment another former transfer, Brenton Cox, who has become a beast in the weight room.
Depth at inside linebacker
It’s great that Ventrell Miller is back for another year, but losing Ty’Ron Hopper means there is a lot of unproven depth.
Miller is coming off an injury, and think about how beat up he might be after the first two games against Utah and Kentucky.
This was a position where Florida struggled mightily once Miller was out early in the season. Florida needs someone who can step in if it happens again.
Defensive tackle help
This is another position where you can’t have enough players battling for jobs and for Florida, the portal netted three players a year ago. But the results were hardly overwhelming.
Florida needs to add some beef at tackle and it’s a position where transfers can most easily have an impact, usually because they have already been developed.
Make that two, again
You need to have a rotation you can count on and not just throw players in there because the starters are tired. In a line of scrimmage league, you can’t be soft in the middle.
A versatile defensive back
For one thing, Florida hasn’t had anybody to lock down the nickel position since Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. The corners look set and Florida has a load of safeties and potential fifth defensive backs.
But there is no doubt Florida needs to get better in the secondary and a guy who can play several positions would be big.
A kick returner
Is David Putney available? That was the fictional return man that Kevin Costner traded for in “Draft Day.”
But I digress.
I want a Brandon James or Kadarius Toney, someone to make plays returning punts and kickoffs. Instead, Florida has been in love with the fair catch.
Napier hired a guy to be a “Gamechanger Coordinator” in Chris Couch and one of the keys will be making an impact in the return game. Perhaps Finley Graham fills that role after sitting on Mullen’s bench last year.
But Napier has made it clear how important special teams are. I’d be on the lookout for someone who could change games.
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