Florida Linebacker Jarrad Davis Ready For Spring Ball

With Antonio Morrison taking his talents to the NFL and the health of Alex Anzalone still in question, Jarrad Davis enters Spring training camp as Florida’s most experienced linebacker.

The rising senior was Florida’s second-leading tackler last season (98) and played all fourteen games. As he begins to embrace his role as a leader on a team, Davis offered his early thoughts on quarterback Luke Del Rio.

“He looked naturally comfortable,” Davis said about Del Rio working with the first-team offense. “I’m excited to see how the competition plays out this Spring.”

“He’s just real cool. He’s not really going to panic, (he’s) real laid back. He’s dropping back there in the pocket real smooth in everything that he does,” Davis added. “His reads are perfect. He does a lot of things that separate himself from other guys on the team.”

With Jonathan Bullard and Alex McCalister moving on to the NFL, the Gators will need some guys to step up on the defensive line. Davis identified rising redshirt-junior Caleb Brantley as someone to watch this Spring.

“When it’s time for somebody to block him, good luck,” Davis said about Brantley, who recorded 29 tackles last season. “He knows what he wants and he’s not going to be stopped. He’s not going to be denied.”

Davis also offered early praise on incoming junior-college transfer running back Mark Thompson, who’s currently listed at a massive 6-foot-2, 242 pounds. Thompson looked significantly bigger than Florida’s other running backs.

When asked if he’s seen another running back with Thompson’s size, Davis offered this answer.

“Maybe one… Derrick Henry.”

The Gators will resume Spring practice on Friday afternoon.