The Gators relied on a ton of freshmen in 2023, specifically on the defensive side of the ball. Safeties Jordan Castell and Bryce Thornton combined for nearly one thousand snaps while edges Kelby Collins and TJ Searcy played a prominent role in the two-deep.
With the young talent getting a year older and Florida hammering several positions of need in the transfer portal, the Gators didn’t need or have to rely on their freshmen nearly as much in 2024, even with a laundry list of injuries.
In 2023, 22.8% of Florida’s defensive snaps were recorded by true freshmen; that number plummeted to 8.