Better/Worse in 2016: Florida run defense

No offense to cornerbacks Vernon Hargreaves III and Jalen Tabor and the rest of Florida’s secondary, but it was really all about stopping the run for the Gators in 2015. In a 10-4 season, all four losses can be attributed, defensively at least, to times Florida failed to contain the opposing ground game. The only time UF was truly punished on the ground and won was against Tennessee, when the Volunteers went into meltdown mode in the fourth quarter at The Swamp.

When the Gators faced big backs, like Jalen Hurd, Leonard Fournette and Derrick Henry, they struggled to wrap up and slow down the bruising ball-carriers. Size wasn’t always the determining factor – the Gators were similarly gashed on the ground by Vols quarterback Josh Dobbs and FSU’s Dalvin Cook, two of college football’s most exciting players.

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But when the SEC East draws were Stanley “Boom” Williams (Kentucky), Russell Hansbrough (Missouri), Sony Michel (Georgia) and Brandon Wilds (South Carolina) – all very capable running backs – the Gators were able to keep the rushing yard within reason.

2015 rushing defense stats

Rushing yards allowed per game (SEC rank): 128 (5)

Most yards allowed in 2015: 254, Tennessee

Rushing TDs allowed (SEC rank): 12 (tied for 5th fewest)

100-yard rushers allowed: 6

Front seven

In 2015, defensive coordinator Geoff Collins relied heavily on nickel coverage. It worked because the Gators were stacked on the defensive line and secondary, but dangerously thin in the middle. Linebackers Antonio Morrison and Jarrad Davis were athletic and fast enough to move sideline to sideline and rack up 201 total tackles.

Davis was not expected to be a main contributor in 2015. He was asked to step up when Alex Anzalone went down with a shoulder injury in Week 3 against Kentucky. The former three-star prospect exceeded expectations, recording 98 tackles, including 11 for loss. Davis (below) could be getting ready for his rookie season in the NFL right now, but is instead back with the Gators.

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Morrison has graduated and is now with the Indianapolis Colts, but Anzalone might be a talent upgrade at the position if he can stay healthy in 2016. The four-star prospect was a highlight of the 2013 class, but has battled injuries throughout his UF career.

The defensive line lost its top run-stopper in DT Jonathan Bullard. The former five-star defensive end boosted his NFL profile by returning for a senior season and moving inside to defensive tackle. Bullard proved a legitimate force in the middle, racking up 66 tackles, including a team-leading 17.5 tackles for loss.

The Gators hope they can replicate that success in 2016, this time moving Cece Jefferson from the edge to the inside. Jefferson has flashed impressive speed, strength and athleticism, but is only in his second year (Bullard made the move as a senior).

If the move works, expect Florida to use Jefferson at the less “sexy” defensive tackle spot. If not, Jefferson (below) will surely slide back over to defensive end, where he’s a proven threat rushing the passer.

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One player who will definitely be in the middle is DT Caleb Brantley. As a redshirt sophomore, Brantley had the option to declare for the NFL Draft following a solid 2015 season (29 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 3 sacks), but opted to return for another year, citing Bullard’s success as his primary reason. Earlier this year, Brantley declared himself the best defensive lineman in the country.

Who is the secondary enforcer?

When Marcus Maye signed with Florida in 2012, he was considered a four-star outside linebacker. He’s listed as a strong safety for the Gators, but he still plays a lot like a linebacker. In fact, when UF was down a man in that Kentucky game last season, Maye moved up and played in the middle of the field.

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Maye he doesn’t a highlight reel of hard hits like his former teammate Keanu Neal, but he’s a solid tackler who never shies away from wrapping up a running back near the line of scrimmage. Having a natural linebacker at strong safety helps the Gators be able to effectively use nickel personnel.

Greatest concern

The 2016 Gators seem easy to game plan against up front. If an offensive line can contain Brantley, it’s unclear who will stop the run. Jefferson could blow by offensive tackles with a quick step or a good push, but it’s unknown how that will translate to matchups against SEC guards and centers.

Defensive line coach Chris Rumph and defensive coordinator Collins are tasked with coaching a unit stacked with pass-rushers into an effective run-stopping force when going up against some of the country’s best ball-carriers.

One stat that must improve in 2016

It’s surprising that the Gators had the SEC East’s top rushing defense with this stat: when opponents faced 3rd-and-short, Florida allowed an average of 4.4 yards. In the most likely running situation imaginable, the Gators could not stop a team on the ground.

If the Gators defense can’t get off the field, that’s going to lead to problems in the second half, putting more pressure on an inexperienced offense.

Better/worse in 2016

Of Florida’s six defensive departures who have been drafted, three were run-stopping tacklers Bullard, Morrison and Neal. While a healthy Anzalone might make up for no more Morrison in the middle, the Gators will definitely feel the loss of Bullard and Neal.

Jefferson, a former five-star signee, is incredibly talented, but asking a sophomore to fill the shoes of a third-round pick is a tall task. It would likely take a standout season from Jefferson to maintain the No. 5 rushing defense in the SEC.

As a free safety, Neal was best known for punishing opposing pass-catchers, but he would occasionally lower the boom on an SEC ball-carrier. Whenever Nick Washington, Neal’s 2016 replacement, took the field in prior seasons things noticeably went downhill. Washington will likely get better from a year of coaching and maturity, but not on the level of the No. 17 overall pick.

Of all the questions Florida faces in 2016, run defense might be the biggest.

And with a schedule that includes meetings with Dobbs, Hurd, Fournette, Cook, Nick Chubb and Ralph Webb, that could be problematic.

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