Looking Back On, and Forward To, Florida's TE Room
The Gators are entering a crucial offseason, the second of head coach Billy Napier's tenure, looking to turn things around after Florida posted its second consecutive 6-7 record to conclude the 2022 campaign.
After nearly two dozen scholarship players entered the transfer portal and another ten declared for the NFL Draft, the roster will undoubtedly look a lot different in Napier's second year at the helm.
Therefore, All Gators is breaking down every position on Florida's roster as the offseason gets underway, looking back on every contributor's 2022 season and looking forward to each unit's 2023.
We've examined the past and future of the quarterback, running back and wide receiver positions. Up next: Tight ends.
Looking back
An expected staple of the offense in year one under Napier was the usage of tight ends.
Operating a scheme that leans heavily toward a power-rushing attack, the Florida head coach emphasized the tight end play is a source of his system's effectiveness in the 2022 preseason. He even pitched the idea that two tight end sets would be a norm as the Gators looked to open holes for ball carriers with multiple extensions of the offensive line on the field simultaneously.
However, that wasn't the case. That package was seldom used, a result of the lack of bodies and overall quality of talent available in the tight end room. In fact, the tight end group was depleted when Napier inherited the team in December 2021. That led to three defenders being flipped to the offensive side of the ball in the spring to take over reps.
The star of that endeavor, Dante Zanders — a tight end turned defensive lineman turned back into tight end — controlled starting duties for the Gators. Primarily serving in a blocking role at 6-foot-5, 262 pounds, Zanders helped develop one of the strongest rushing attacks in the nation a season ago.
However, his limitations in the passing game were evident throughout the year. Florida rotated a previously frequent contributor, Keon Zipperer, in with him to aid in that area.
Zipperer showed promising growth from his past appearances in orange and blue, as he averaged over 13 yards per reception throughout the season. He shined on the road against Tennessee, totaling three receptions for 62 yards and an impressive string of broken tackles in his lone score of the season.
Unfortunately for him, and Florida, his year was cut short as he suffered a knee injury against Georgia. He initially announced that his season was over via Facebook but proceeded to suit up in the Gators' regular-season finale against FSU, although he failed to record a stat.
His absence created a noticeable rift in the unit from a depth standpoint. As the TE2, with a TE1 potential who operated in a borderline starter's snap count, Zipperer was an unidentified strength for the Gators. His fall out of the lineup showed that the depth Napier would like to have, especially at tight end, was nonexistent.
The attrition created some struggle as the year closed, forcing Florida to experiment with the few pieces it had remaining.
Jonathan Odom was granted his first opportunity to showcase his talents at the collegiate level, producing adequately in both phases of his position relative inexperience caused mostly by injury setbacks. The Tampa, Fla., native and Gators legacy accounted for three receptions, 39 yards and a score against Florida State, presenting the idea that he could take on an increasing role next season.
Reserves Arlis Boardingham and Nick Elksnis dealt with shoulder injuries throughout the year to keep them off the field, while Griffin McDowell, Noah Keeter and Hayden Hansen were there to provide depth and nothing more.
Overall, William Peagler's room met the middling requirements needed to skate by on the season. But, the crucial position in a first-year system failed to produce at a level that elevated the Florida offense to consistent success.
All Gators compiled the tight ends' statistics from 2022 below.
Zipperer: 13 receptions, 177 yards, one touchdown
Zanders: 10 receptions, 75 yards
Odom: Seven receptions, 69 yards, two touchdowns
Looking Forward
Despite the relative lack of production from the tight ends last season — at least in the passing game — the Gators staff evidently feels good heading into next season with the same group after neglecting the position during the 2023 cycle.
The unit will feature Zanders retaking his incumbent starting role as the lead blocking tight end next season. His counterpart, Zipperer, will likely sit below him on the depth chart despite an equally voluminous role in the offense.
Last year's late riser, Odom, will assume the TE3 duties for the time being after showing promise to execute in both the blocking and pass-catching game in relief of the usual duo. He'll see considerable time in rotation to allow the offense to operate in the vaunted 12-personnel set. The depth he provides to arguably the most valuable position in the Napier-led offense is an immense step forward at TE.
But, it doesn't stop there.
A potential riser in the depth chart throughout the year would be Boardingham — who suffered through a shoulder fracture before the year commenced last season and remained sidelined for the entire year — to provide Graham Mertz a safety valve in the passing game.
Standing at 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, Boardingham presents the size and talent of a new-era tight end prospect. That's primarily due to his prowess as a pass catcher, pressing the ability to move around the formation to create mismatches for opposing defenses.
Fast enough to outrun linebackers and big enough to overpower defensive backs, the California native has an extensive skillset yet to be untapped due to his year one setback. He has the best chance of realizing a meteoric rise up the depth chart in 2023 with proper development.
Fellow 2022 signees in Hansen and recently converted defensive end Andrew Savaiinaea — who was recruited heavily at the TE position out of high school by multiple power five programs — will provide the extra bodies in the room in case of attrition.
Greyshirted true freshman Tony Livingston occupies a spot in the room as well after recently heading to Gainevsille. However, he starts behind the curve from some of the other pieces due to his late arrival.
The tight end room mimics the standing of the wide receiver room from last offseason, albeit more serviceable, as it returns a bevy of experienced pieces while simultaneously calling for a new face (or two) to step up to make it an asset rather than merely functional.
If that is able to happen — whether it comes in the form of Odom, Boardingham or a late addition to the roster via the post-spring transfer portal period — the tight end position can directly correlate to the offense's success due to the variance of personnel groupings and deeper playbook at Napier's disposal.
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