True Freshmen Tracker: Examining Florida's Youth Through 10 Games

Entering the 2019 season, there were questions across Florida's football roster in relation to depth.

Specifically, the offensive and defensive line, as well as the secondary, were top-heavy. with a set starting five across the offense's trench, notable senior playmakers on the defensive front four, and one of the nation's top cornerback's leading an otherwise solid defensive back unit.

But after the starters, it was unknown who could be trusted to step in as a result of injury or poor performance. Thus, Florida has been forced to trust several true freshmen in bigger roles this season, and several of those youthful contributors have stepped up beyond expectation.

Let's break down each true freshman to receive any legitimate playing time.

Stats via Pro Football Focus.

Offense

RG Ethan White: Three games (108 snaps).

With an impressive start under his belt, White is on track to eventually land a starting position on Florida's offensive line. As the team's sixth offensive linemen, White is an injury or landslide victory away from playing in his fourth game, and honestly, it might be best for Florida to continue giving White reps to develop for a starting role next year.

TE Keon Zipperer: Six games (26 snaps), three receptions, 30 yards, and one touchdown.

The freshman tight end recorded his lone three catches against Towson earlier in the season, scoring his first collegiate touchdown on a two-yard pass from quarterback Kyle Trask. Otherwise, Zipper has been used as a blocker and special teamer throughout the year, burning his redshirt.

RB Nay'Quan Wright: Three games (13 snaps), 12 carries for 24 yards and one catch for four yards.

Wright hasn't received any legitimate playing this time this season, seeing action against UT-Martin, Towson, and Vanderbilt. He has yet to post worthwhile production to earn more carries, so unless the Missouri and FSU games are blowouts, he may not see another snap this season with r-Fr. Iverson Clement (three carries, 48 yards in three games/six snaps) needing reps as well.

WR Ja'Markis Weston, WR Trent Whittemore, WR Dionte Marks, OL Michael Tarquin, OL Kingsley Eguakun, OL William Harrod, and OL Riley Simonds have all played throughout the year on offense and special teams, but not significantly and are on pace to redshirt.

Defense

CB Kaiir Elam: Nine games (256 snaps), six tackles, two interceptions, two pass breakups, 42.9 completion percentage on 14 targets.

Perhaps the most consistently impressive freshman of them all, Elam has carved out a starting role in Florida's defense to close out the year. Opposite of C.J. Henderson, Elam is starting as one of the Gators' starting boundary cornerbacks, with Marco Wilson moving to the STAR nickel cornerback position.

His redshirt is already out the window, which is no big deal. Elam has a bright future ahead of him in Florida's secondary.

DE Khris Bogle: 10 games (155 snaps), 16 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two tackles for loss, one defended pass, five QB pressures.

A future focal point in Florida's pass rush, Bogle has taken a defensive snap in every game this season for the Gators. As Mohamoud Diabate has received praise at the BUCK position more recently given his three sack game against Vanderbilt, Bogle's hype has taken a bit of a backseat. But should Bogle (6-6, 216 lbs.) add some bulk this offseason as he enters his second year at UF, he should see an uptick in production in 2020 with more snaps.

DE Mohamoud Diabate: Nine games (192 snaps), 12 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 0.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, 13 QB pressures.

Diabate has been a chess piece for Florida's defense this season, which is impressive considering his youth. Lining up as Florida's BUCK pass rusher, middle linebacker, and STAR nickel, his positional flexibility has led to plenty of opportunities on the field.

And on those snaps, Diabate has produced. His three sack game against Vanderbilt will be labeled as his breakout performance, but the 6-3, 220 lb. defender actually played more snaps against Georgia and South Carolina than he did vs. the Commodores. Diabate matched his season-high of three QB pressures against the Gamecocks - look for him and Bogle to become disruptive forces for Florida's pass rush in the future, and more.

CB Jaydon Hill: Seven games (103 snaps), six tackles, one pass breakup, 40.0 completion percentage on five targets.

A member of Florida's freshman cornerback trio, Hill saw some early playing time on Florida's backend that provided hope for a bright future. He's a fast-breaker on the ball in zone/off-man coverage at the outside cornerback, which should lead to plenty of big plays as his role increases in the secondary.

Look for Hill to fight for the starting boundary cornerback position come spring, should C.J. Henderson declare for the 2020 NFL Draft.

CB Chester Kimbrough: Five games (121 snaps), four tackles, two pass breakups, 42.9 completion percentage on seven targets.

Kimbrough, like Hill, has seen enough playing time throughout the year to burn his redshirt, and also like Hill has flashed some positives on tape. Kimbrough has good spacial awareness to come down and make plays in the run game, which makes him an intriguing STAR candidate should Wilson move back outside in 2020 - assuming Wilson returns to school.

LB Lloyd Summerall III, LB Tyron Hopper, LB Jesiah Pierre, and DL Jaelin Humphries have all played throughout the year on defense and special teams, but not significantly and are on pace to redshirt.

Conclusion

Despite losing CB Chris Steele, QB Jalon Jones, ATH Diwun Black, WR Arjei Henderson, and OL Deyavie Hammond (and don't forget OL Wardrick Wilson, who is fighting to enroll as he battles U.S. Customs to receive a student visa) due to eligibility reasons and the transfer portal prior to any of the five taking a snap at Florida, the Gators' 2019 signing class has already yielded key contributors.

Elam has already carved out a role as a full-time starter in Florida's talented secondary, while White, Diabate, and Bogle aren't far behind. The rest of the class is mixed with high-potential athletes across the board, who should get more playing time in 2020 when Florida's upper class clears out and as they get more time in head coach Dan Mullen's system.