Attrition is bound to go down every offseason for college football teams, but for the Florida Gators, the numbers are growing at unexpected levels in the months leading up to the start of the 2019 campaign. It’s not so much current players leaving that is of concern, but the fact that a couple of freshmen who were supposed to replace them departed for various reasons as well.
The latest transfer announcement comes from redshirt senior linebacker Rayshad Jackson, who finished third among his position in tackles a year ago. A former three-star prospect recruited by ex-defensive coordinator Randy Shannon out of Miami, he played in all 13 games with three starts in 2018.
Jackson is the second linebacker to leave the program this offseason following redshirt senior Kylan Johnson, who made his decision months ago and announced this week that he is headed to Pittsburgh. Jackson has not yet revealed his destination.
Though the Gators are losing two players at a position that lacked depth last season, Florida’s depth chart has improved massively over the last 12 months. Jackson likely would have served as a backup in 2019 with senior David Reese II, graduate transfer Jonathan Greenard, redshirt junior Jeremiah Moon, redshirt sophomore James Houston IV already ahead of him, not to mention redshirt sophomore Ventrell Miller, redshirt freshman David Reese and true freshman Mohamoud Diabate competing for snaps.
The offseason news cycle has been a rough one for Florida with multiple arrests, accusations of illegal activity and transfers. The Gators certainly hope to get things under control once summer camp begins.
