If you go by the statistics, former Florida defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin did an exceptional job for the Gators. In 2014, the Gator defense finished fifth in the country in yards allowed per play, ninth in yards allowed per rush attempt, and 10th in yards allowed per pass attempt.
Now, Durkin is in Ann Arbor in the same position under new Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Florida head coach Jim McElwain brought in Geoff Collins to be the defensive coordinator for the Gators. Collins spent the past four seasons in the Mississippi State defensive system, the last two as defensive coordinator.
Just like Durkin, Collins led his defense to some impressive numbers in 2014. Mississippi State ranked second in the SEC in total sacks and was the number one red zone defense in the country, only allowing opponents to score in the red zone 64 percent of the time. Collins’ goal is to be elite with this Gator defense.
“We have high expectations in our (defensive) room. We want to be one of the best defenses in the country. The big thing though is to work at that every single day.”
Florida’s defense did not lose many players from last year. The biggest standout of the group of returning players is cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III, who was a first-team All-American selection in 2014. He is joined in the defensive backfield by Jalen Tabor, Quincy Wilson, and J.C. Jackson. Collins has plenty of praise for the redshirt freshman Jackson.
“J.C. is probably one of the most athletic kids possibly that I have ever been around. He’s done a good job for us playing corner and playing some nickel. Very fast, very physical, athletic and his technique gets better everyday.”
All in all, head coach Jim McElwain wants to create the chaos in practice.
“We try to create chaos because when you play the game it’s a chaotic thing that’s going on. The key is to eliminate the clutter and focus on the detail that needs to be accomplished.”
Spring practice continues today at Dizney Stadium as construction progresses at the new indoor football facilities. The Orange and Blue Debut is scheduled for April 11th.
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McElwain demands chaos in practice
McElwain on the defense and their dominance on third down
McElwain has adjusted well to new schemes