College Football 2011: 5 Florida Gators Predictions on Defense for Next Season

Two days ago, we made a few predictions for the Florida Gators' offense in 2011 (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/696278-2011-florida-gators-football-5-predictions-on-offense-for-next-season).

Today, it is time to look into the crystal ball about the defense.

No doubt, losing standouts like safety Ahmad Black and cornerback Janoris Jenkins will hurt, but the Gators do have a great deal of young talent chomping to strut their stuff.

Here are five predictions as to what may happen on defense next season.

1. Lynden Trail will make a name for himself on special teams.

A redshirt freshman, Trail arrived on campus plenty tall at 6'7", but awfully thin (205 pounds) for a defensive end. His last listed weight was 217, but those close to him say that is on the light side, adding that he expects to play around 250 in the fall.

That may not be enough for him to see a lot of time at end (at least in 2011), especially considering he exited the spring running with the third team.

However, Trail is power-forward-long with a very quick first step that could make him very effective in kick-block units, whether coming off the edge or (a la former Gator Jarvis Moss) jumping from the middle.

Trail also really wants to be a part of this program. Following his commitment to UF, Trail may have worked harder than any other prospect to lure in other recruits - and that also includes some who play his position.

2. Matt Elam will lead the team in interceptions.

With starting safeties Ahmad Black and Will Hill now departed, the Gators are hoping Elam can become a playmaker in the back end of the defense.

And no doubt, the secondary will be tested.

After all, would you rather try your luck against a run defense returning two starters at linebacker and a large group of contributors up front, or against a pass defense that welcomes back just one returning starter in cornerback Jeremy Brown?

Expect Elam to bring a punch to his position that belies his 5'11", 199-pound frame, and he also could be a threat on blitzes. Also, look for him to be a ballhawk in centerfield that will allow him to pick off six passes his sophomore season.

3. Gerald Christian will play both ways in at least one game.

A sophomore from prep powerhouse Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer (also Elam's alma mater), Christian finished spring practice running with the first team at outside linebacker.

Since then, coach Will Muschamp has announced Christian has been moved back to offense, where he is expected to play a hybrid tight end/fullback role.

So, while the 6'2", 232-pounder's primary focus in practice will be on the offensive side of the ball, where new coordinator Charlie Weis has a complex playbook. Still, someone who was good enough to earn a starting job on defense in just one spring is a pretty nice fallback to have should injuries or poor play necessitate a change.

It certainly won't be a full-time proposition like fullback/linebacker Owen Marecic was for Stanford in 2010, but Christian could pull the trick in brief stints, if necessary.

4. A High School Reunion Will Happen in the Secondary.

Florida's starting cornerbacks appear to be redshirt junior Brown and redshirt senior Moses Jenkins. But college football nowadays more often than not require three or four corners on the field at the same time to cover the four- and five-wideout sets that have become prevalent.

Sophomore Cody Riggs had a good spring running with the second team, and despite his small stature (5'9", 166 pounds), he has the cover skills and athleticism to contribute for Florida.

Arriving in Gainesville later this summer will be 6'0", 170 pound Marcus Roberson, a former Auburn commitment who was rated by rivals.com as the nation's No. 2 cornerback prospect in the Class of 2011. 

Riggs and Roberson played high school football for coach George Smith at Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, arguably the country's top prep program.

In an interesting sidenote, Florida State defensive back Lamarcus Joyner joined Riggs and Roberson in the Raiders' secondary in the 2009 high school season.

5. The Defensive Tackles Will be Fresh in the Fourth Quarter.

Florida has enviable depth up front, as sophomores Sharrif Floyd (6'3", 303) and Dominique Easley (6'2", 278) listed as the starters at defensive tackle coming out of the spring.

Not included on the depth chart was fifth-year senior Jaye Howard (6'3", 302), UF's most productive defensive lineman a year ago with 12 tackles-for-loss. He had his ankle scoped in the spring, but is expected to be at full speed by the fall.

The Gators also hope to get more production out of 6'7", 282-pound redshirt junior Earl Okine, a Gainesville native with just seven career tackles and a sack, as well as 6'5", 315-pound redshirt freshman Leon Orr, a player so athletic he can do a standing back flip.

When Florida moves to a 3-4, 6'1", 305-pound redshirt junior Omar Hunter (23 tackles in 2010) will be called upon to play the nose. He also can play tackle in the 4-3 that will be the Gators' base set.