They tossed all sorts of questions toward James, a junior from Mobile, Ala., and one of the critical veterans that UF coach Billy Napier had join him in Dallas. But the most common inquiry, by far, was why Florida’s defense will be better this year than last.
Florida’s defensive struggles stretch deeper than a season ago. Florida hasn’t had a defense rank in the top 10 nationally since 2019, and after having never allowed more than 400 yards per game throughout a season, the Gators have done it twice (2020 and 2022) in the past four seasons.
The damage has shown up on the scoreboard. From 1946 to 2019, Florida allowed an average of 25 points per game only three times (1971, 2007, 2017). Florida’s opponents have averaged that many for four consecutive seasons entering 2024.
DORMANT DEFENSE
The Gators have not had a defense finish in the top 10 nationally since 2019. Here is a look at Florida’s defensive rankings nationally over the past five seasons:
| SEASON | SCORING | RUSHING | PASSING | TOTAL | RECORD |
| 2019 | 15.5 (7) | 102.8 (8) | 202.1 (32) | 304.9 (9) | 11-2 |
| 2020 | 30.8 (74) | 170.5 (71) | 257.5 (100) | 428.0 (83) | 8-4 |
| 2021 | 26.8 (73) | 163.9 (85) | 203.9 (25) | 367.8 (49) | 6-7 |
| 2022 | 28.8(86) | 175.2 (99) | 235.8 (83) | 411.0 (96) | 6-7 |
| 2023 | 27.6 (75) | 155.6 (79) | 226.7 (70) | 382.3 (69) | 5-7 |
James offered various answers to why the Gators can reverse the trend. In his view, the addition of veteran defensive coach Ron Roberts is a critical component.
“Coach Roberts has brought a lot of experience and, I would say, personality to the room and to the unit as a whole,” James said. “Coach Roberts comes in every day and works, instills in us to take it one day at a time and be intentional with your work.”
Napier hired Roberts in the offseason to help Roberts’ former pupil, second-year Gators defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong, iron out the wrinkles on a defense that ranked 69th nationally despite a promising start.
Armstrong worked under Roberts at Louisiana when Napier was head coach there, and he considers Roberts a key mentor and like-minded coach.
James witnessed the bond between the two and…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Florida Gators…