Analyzing Florida Signees Performances in UA All-America Game

Eight future Florida Gators took part in the Under Armour All-America Game on Tuesday.

Photo: Kelby Collins; Credit: Brian Smith, SI All-American

Before each of them enrolled for the spring semester, eight members of Florida's class of 2023 signing class took the field as high schoolers for a final time in the Under Armour All-America Game on Tuesday in Orlando, Fla.

Quarterback Jaden Rashada, wide receiver Eugene Wilson III, offensive linemen Knijeah Harris and Roderick Kearney, defensive linemen Kelby Collins and Will Norman and defensive backs Dijon Johnson, Sharif Denson, Ja'Keem Jackson and Jordan Castell each were named All-Americans and all but Wilson and Johnson took the field at Camping World Stadium. 

All Gators broke down the notable performances by Florida signees in the all-star game below.

DL Kelby Collins

Team Speed

Named his team's most valuable player, Collins was one of the All-American Game's stars on Tuesday night for creating consistent disruption from the interior defensive line. 

Often aligning as a three-technique, he matched up against future UF offensive lineman Roderick Kearney several times and each player posted a couple of one-on-one wins.

Producing plenty of pass rush pressure, Collins notably recorded a sack via spin move in the fourth quarter and forced Team Phantom's quarterbacks into ditching the pocket on numerous occasions. 

Another big time play from #Gators signee @kelby_collins. Check the spin move on the helpless offensive lineman en route to the QB. Pure filth. Certified baller. pic.twitter.com/8EI2S97hhR

— InAllKindsOfWeather.com (@AllKindsWeather) January 4, 2023

A swipe move paved way for Collins to the backfield on third and long in the first quarter, leading the quarterback to scramble for just a two-yard gain before Collins swapped him up and put him in the dirt, forcing a punt on that play.

Collins finished the game with three tackles, the sack, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup.

OL Roderick Kearney

Team Phantom

Kearney shined throughout the night as a run blocker, showcasing good power while down-blocking and holding his own against top defensive line talent. His contributions were especially fruitful on Texas running back signee Cedric Baxter's 13-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter, as Kearney sealed off the nose tackle while Baxter bounced an inside zone call outside and to the right.

#Gators OL signee Roderick Kearney sealed off the interior on Cedric Baxter’s TD run at the UA All-America Game.

Baxter said on ESPN that he read the 3-tech Kearney was blocking before bouncing right.pic.twitter.com/k6wfxnMS13

— Zach Goodall (@zach_goodall) January 3, 2023

Kearney was occasionally pushed back in pass protection, which could have been expected as his high school offense was run-heavy throughout his career. While he'll need to improve consistency in that area at the next level, Florida is also a run-dominant offense that Kearney should fit into seamlessly.

Kearney was named the game's best ruin-blocker for his efforts.

OL Knijeah Harris

Team Speed

Florida's trench prospects arguably had the best performance of any Gators signees at the UA game, with Collins, Kearney and Harris leading the way. 

Harris earned significant playing time as Team Speed's center and snapped the ball to incoming UF quarterback Jaden Rashada for the majority if not all of the passer's reps. The two have chemistry, albeit limited, from Rashada's brief time at IMG Academy with Harris as sophomores, and were able to build on it throughout the week and in the game.

Harris also made impactful vertical run blocks to boost what was at times a stagnant Team Speed offense, including one for Alabama running back signee Richard Young to create an eight-yard gain on 2nd and 20.

QB Jaden Rashada

Team Speed

As mentioned in Harris' breakdown, Team Speed's offense couldn't get much going throughout the game. Its lone points came on a touchdown drive led by Oklahoma quarterback signee Jackson Arnold just before halftime.

Rashada wasn't able to showcase his arm much as a result. He completed 1-of-2 passes for six yards on his first drive and rushed for a tough four yards on 3rd and 5 to set up 4th and 1, which failed to convert on a shotgun handoff to Colorado running back signee Dylan Edwards.

A first-down holding penalty followed by back-to-back rushes set Rashada up with 3rd and 12 by his next passing attempt. His primary read was an out-route short of the sticks and the pass went incomplete, wrapping up Rashada's first half.

Rashada came out firing in the second half, going 3-of-4 for 19 yards across the first five plays of the opening drive, although another holding call on Team Speed set up a 3rd and 18 that the team couldn't convert. On his next and final drive, Rashada rushed once for four yards, was sacked for a loss of two, and threw an incompletion on 3rd and 8.

Rashada may not have played his best ball on Tuesday, but it should not cast doubt on his abilities that the Gators are depending on. His offense simply did him no favors and it was tough for him to get into a rhythm while rotating with Arnold on every drive.

Honorable mention

DB Sharif Denson (Team Speed): Expected to man the STAR nickel role at Florida, Denson flashed the skill set required for his spot on Tuesday. He made a physical tackle on a first-down rushing attempt from the slot cornerback position, limiting the ball carrier to just four yards. He finished the game with two tackles.

DL Will Norman (Team Speed): A starter at defensive tackle, Norman posted a tackle and a pass breakup on a rotational basis with Collins and other linemen. Norman produced a strong week of practices with plenty of wins in one-on-one drills.

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