Unit Breakdown: JACK/Inside Linebackers

Middle linebacker Shemar James is one of the young players Florida's defense is built around entering the 2023 season. (Photo: Isabella Marley/UAA Communications)

Unit Breakdown: JACK/Inside Linebackers

Friday, August 25, 2023 | Football, Scott Carter

By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Most are too young to remember the glory days of former UF linebackers Brandon Siler, Ryan Stamper and Brandon Spikes. The days of two national titles in three seasons and electric crowds at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

But they are learning thanks to the release of the Netflix documentary "Swamp Kings," which details the era when Siler, Stamper and Spikes starred on Florida's bone-crunching defense.

"I think the whole team has watched it,'' newcomer Teradja Mitchell said Friday. "It's a very exciting documentary, just to see the history of Florida and all that's been done here in this program. It's important for us to restore the order and get back to that standard."

Florida hopes to start moving in that direction under first-year defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong, whose attacking system relies on versatility among the linebackers and edge rushers at the JACK position, a hybrid role that includes rushing the passer, setting the edge against the run and dropping into coverage if needed.

The most important job the linebackers and JACKS have is to make game-changing plays for a Gators defense that has been very un-Florida-like the past three seasons. The Gators ranked 96th overall in total defense a season ago and surrendered 43 yards more per game than the 2021 season.

A transfer from Ohio State, Mitchell wants to help reverse the trend.

"It's a pride putting on the uniform,'' he said. "We're just going to go out there and give it our all, and that's one thing you're going to see from this defense: we're going to give it our all."

IN THE MIX

POS.	PLAYER	HT./WT.	YEAR	HOMETOWN/PREVIOUS SCHOOL
JACK	Princely Umanmielen	6-4.5 / 254	Jr.	Manor, Texas / Manor HS
JACK	T.J. Searcy	6-5 / 244	Fr.	Thomaston, Ga. / Upson-Lee HS
JACK	Quincy Ivory	6-3 / 260	So.	Alief, Texas / East Los Angeles (Calif.) College
POS.	PLAYER	HT./WT.	YEAR	HOMETOWN/PREVIOUS SCHOOL
ILB	Shemar James	6-1.25 / 230	So.	Mobile, Ala. / Faith Academy
ILB	Derek Wingo	6-1.25 / 240	Jr.	Fort Lauderdale / St. Thomas Aquinas
ILB	Teradja Mitchell	6-1.25 / 244	R-Sr.	Virginia Beach, Va. / Ohio State
ILB	Scooby Williams	6-2.25 / 234	R-So.	Birmingham, Ala. / Ramsay
ILB	Deuce Spurlock II	6-0.5 / 233	R-Fr.	Madison Ala. / Michigan
ILB	Mannie Nunnery	6-1.25 / 231	R-Jr.	Houston, Texas/ U of Houston

BEST PLAYER
Princely Umanmielen drew the usual attention from diehard fans at the start of camp when he revealed his new No. 1 jersey. In this case, Umanmielen is considered Florida's top defensive prospect heading into the season and has moved from strong-side defensive end to the opposite side as the JACK (a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker position). Umanmielen passes the eye test physically and the Gators hope his production looks as good as his physique when the season's over. Umanmielen led the team with 4.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss a season ago and there's no reason to think those numbers can't increase in Armstrong's aggressive scheme. The coaches in the Southeastern Conference expect a big season from Umanmielen. They named him to the third team on the All-SEC Preseason Team released earlier this week.

Umanmielen, Princely (2023 preseason camp) — Junior **Princely Umanmielen** is primed for a breakout season. (Photo: **Jordan Herald**/UAA Communications)

NEWCOMER TO WATCH
Take your pick. Inside linebacker Mitchell is joined by fellow transfers Deuce Spurlock II (Michigan) and Mannie Nunnery (Houston) among the group of newcomers vying for playing time. Mitchell is the most intriguing to these eyes, since he adds a veteran presence the unit is missing from a season ago when Ventrell Miller and Amari Burney served as glue guys on and off the field. Mitchell played in 43 games over the past five seasons at Ohio State but appeared in only four a season ago, opting to redshirt and use his final season of eligibility elsewhere. He signed with the Gators and brought his 63 career tackles, including seven for loss, with him. Mitchell's maturity and experience should help set an example for the younger players in the group.

FRESHMAN OF NOTE
T.J. Searcy made some splash plays in the Orange & Blue Game in the spring and adds an intriguing talent to the defensive mix. Searcy is in a developmental season with Umanmielen expected to get the majority of reps at JACK, but he was a highly-ranked recruit coming out of high school who had offers from Clemson, Georgia and Florida State, among others. Searcy (6-5, 244) is long and athletic, traits suited to make an impact as an edge rusher once he adds more muscle and fills out his frame.

ETC.
You can't talk about the linebackers without mentioning sophomore Shemar James, ranked the highest among UF's inside linebackers coming out of high school (No. 6 overall by 247Sports). James didn't disappoint as a freshman, playing in 13 games with four starts. He finished with 47 tackles, three quarterback hurries and two sacks. James was slowed early in preseason camp with a lower-body injury but returned to action and is a player Armstrong seeks to build the defense around in his first season in Gainesville. While James produced on the field as a freshman, he also displayed leadership traits the Gators need as they move deeper into the Billy Napier era.

"QUOTE "
"There's a lot of moving parts there. We use our linebackers very differently here. Sometimes we play with a Mike-Will-Sam [middle-weakside-strongside], sometimes we just play with a Mike-Will, sometimes we just play with a Mike. So there's a lot of layers to that. You have inside linebacker, which is a huge tactical position for us."

Linebacker **Derek Wingo** recorded a career-high 24 tackles last season. (Photo: **Hannah White/**UAA Communications)

BOTTOM LINE
Armstrong's revamped defense puts an emphasis on linebackers and edge rushers being able to move to different spots and make plays. Umanmielen and James are the headliners among this group, but Derek Wingo and Scooby Williams add experience with the Gators, and newcomers Deuce Spurlock II and Mannie Nunnery are chasing new opportunities. Freshman Jaden Robinson (6-0.25, 234) is another player to keep an eye on in the future. Based on the scheme, look for all to get on the field in some capacity as the Gators turn up the pressure under Armstrong.

IN CASE YOU MISSED ...
* Unit Breakdown: Backfield
* Unit Breakdown: Receivers
* Unit Breakdown: Offensive line
*Unit Breakdown: Defensive line