Shemar James joined head coach Billy Napier and teammates Graham Mertz and Montrell Johnson Jr. in Dallas for SEC Media Days. (Photo: Kevin Camps/UAA Communications)
James Convinced Gators Can Reverse Trend on Defense
Monday, July 22, 2024 | Football, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Armed with notepads filled with condemning statistics, wave after wave of reporters approached Gators linebacker Shemar James as he sat on a raised podium during SEC Media Days.
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 said that Armstrong is more prepared for the rigors of the SEC in his second season.
"He knows what to expect,'' James said. "I believe that he will have that knowledge and that experience to come out and be an even better coach. We have a defense filled with a lot of experience. Right now, he is just trying to simplify things to let us go play fast."
Quarterback Graham Mertz and linebacker Shemar James are veterans seeking a turnaround in 2024. (Photo: Kevin Camps/UAA Communications)
Of course, coaches can't take the field after kickoff, and for Florida's defense to show drastic improvement, the players must improve. James is confident the Gators made moves in that direction in the offseason through their recruiting and player acquisition via the transfer portal.
Meanwhile, James said the linebackers are primed for a strong season based on the developments since last season's 5-7 finish.
"It improved a lot with the skill set,'' he said. "Bringing in Pup Howard and freshmen like Myles Graham and Aaron Chiles. We bring in a lot of skill with a lot of vets in the room like myself, Derek Wingo and [R.J.] Moten. I would say it's improved skill-wise and in leadership."
And don't forget the revamping of the strength and conditioning program under Tyler Miles.
The 6-foot-1, 231-pound James appeared fit and ready to play after missing the final four games a season ago when he slipped on the turf and dislocated his kneecap against Georgia. James said Miles had forced the Gators to develop an expect-the-unexpected approach during workouts to toughen the team mentally and physically.
James had an important statistic of his own: Florida is 2-9 in Napier's first two seasons following the bye week, including a five-game losing streak to end last season.
Why the drop?
"We're still figuring that out now,'' James said. "We just emphasize finishing the execution. When you look at the film, you can see that the guys don't have the same drive or the same grit as they did in the first six or seven games.
"You should expect a different team. A team full of grit, a team of guys that will not be turned down."
James enters his third season in the program as a team leader and two-year starter. He has 101 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and three sacks in 21 games the past two seasons. A member of the All-SEC Freshman Team in 2022, James is the quarterback of the defense at inside linebacker.
"It's a big deal to have him back,'' Napier said.
Napier said that on the plane ride to Dallas, he talked to James, quarterback Graham Mertz and running back Montrell Johnson Jr. about the importance of the small things in making a big turnaround.
"Every detail matters,'' Napier said. "The margin for error is small. This group is hard at work developing the fight and the mentality. This team has purpose, and that's why I believe in this team."
