Florida to start true freshman DB in season-opener vs. Utah
Florida’s depth chart for the season opener came out on Monday. There was one defensive back who will be starting against Utah as a true freshman.
Jordan Castell was a former 4-star CB from the 2023 class. He will be starting at safety in the game.
Billy Napier explained the decision by stating that Castell earned the chance to start as a true freshman and that the team rewards what it sees.
“He’s earned it,” said Napier. “He showed up in January and made the most of each opportunity. We reward what we see.”
#Gators coach Billy Napier on starting S Jordan Castell, a 1st-year freshman from Orlando. ‘He’s earned it. He showed up in January and made the most of each opportunity. We reward what we see.’
— Edgar Thompson (@osgators) August 28, 2023
It won’t be the easiest environment for Castell in his first college football game ever. Rice-Eccles Stadium will be rocking as Florida will be facing the Utes on the road.
Fans should be ready for a thriller after a last-second interception was needed for Florida to win last season in Gainesville.
Castell and Florida meet Utah in Salt Lake City on Thursday in Week 1.
Best player starts no matter what class they are in.. to bad Mullen never understood that…
Congrats to Castell!!!
We can offer playing time for sure.
A true freshman starting at S? That’s a big deal, must have really worked his tail off, congrats to him…
I think we’re going to see more and more of this, and a few redshirts burned too. Not a bad thing, he’s earned it and will have a taste of big-time ball before going up against SEC opponents. Utah is good, even if they’re in the “PAC-00”. :)
Doc, i own all copyrights to “Pac-00”. You owe me a beer
Refreshing to see this. He sets high standards and follows through with what he says. Coach Napier is building this team the right way. Respect!
Go Gators!
This is a fundamental cultural change from Mullen’s approach. If you reward the best in practice with real playing time, regardless of seniority, you motivate the whole team to work harder every day in practice. That will make the whole team better in the long run.
This will help us in recruiting in a major way. Have to erase the CDM effect on HS coaches of not having a shot at starting as a freshman or sophomore
That’s how it should be. It’s also awesome how the legacy wr that started as a walk on is now a starter.
Tailwhip, for that gem I’ll buy you a case of beer at next year’s Orange & Blue game!
In good ol Gator sayings from the 70s “Wait’ll next year”. See you there Doc