Jordan Castell, a sophomore safety, was one of Florida’s most productive freshman on both sides of the football in 2023. Despite problems on defense previous season, Castell was named Freshman All-American and All-SEC after leading the Gators’ defense with 60 tackles (30 solo).
Everything was new for the Orlando native during his rookie season with the Gators, yet Castell still managed to thrive on the field despite a weak defense. Castell had a defensive grade of 75.7, ranking fifth among freshmen safety in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus. The 6-2, 210-pound safety was also Florida’s third highest-graded defensive player, and he played the most snaps of any Gator rookie (660).
“Most of it was new. “I played a little safety in high school, but I was almost exclusively a corner, so I was playing man,” Castell said of his transition from corner to safety. “Go out there with confidence. If I see something, believe it. I had a lot of guys believing in me since I showed up for practice every day and was the same person. That was very helpful.
Aside from Florida’s defeat to Arkansas last season, in which Castell had a season-high 11 tackles and his first interception, Florida’s 29-10 victory against Tennessee last season was Castell’s first major performance in only his third collegiate game. Everyone in the building, including the head ball coach, understands that the second-year player’s potential is limitless.
“Jordan Castell is one of the better secondary players in the country,” Napier stated about Castell.
Castell was selected Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Week after racking up 10 tackles against the Volunteers. The experience he gained last season has only made him more comfortable and prepared for his second season.
“I’m much more relaxed this year. “There was a lot going on last year,” Castell explained. “I’m like, ‘Man, I ain’t never played around this many people before. This is ridiculous. All the fans, all the people, particularly Tennessee. Tennessee was flying around the ball as soon as they received the snap. But I’m not alone in feeling more at ease this year. All of the freshmen came with me. So that’s definitely a wonderful thing for me.
The Gators will return nine defensemen who got experience as freshmen last season. Castell and his second-year teammates both seem more at ease in their roles.
Jordan Castell, Kelby Collins, Aaron Gates, Sharif Denson, and TJ Searcy were all ranked among Florida’s top 15 defensive players at the end of the season.
“I’d say you still need to believe,” Castell added. “My freshman year, you could look at the record and everything, but we had so many freshmen play and we were all returning. So it’s next year, and we’re thinking, ‘Let’s turn this around.’ We don’t want to go through this again. “We’re losing the entire experience from last year.”
Changes made in the video room have also helped to foster camaraderie and communication among the defensive players. Position groups were split up for film discussions last year, but not this season.
“We’re all in the same room this year. “We’re all on the same page,” Castell explained. “It’s not like we go out there in practice — and I’m not trying to compare things to last year — but the communication has improved dramatically. We see things more quickly. The safeties, the stars, and everyone in the same room. At first, it was the corners, safeties, and stars, but having everyone in the same room makes everything lot easier.”
With Florida acquiring veteran guys like Asa Turner in the offseason, I believe this defense’s communication improves in year three. Having players who understand the defensive plan lets everyone else to play with confidence and freedom, especially when everyone is on the same page.
The Gators will return eight players with secondary experience, including four transfers, for a total of 249 games. Florida has the depth they’ve been looking for, and I believe it will translate into greater communication and more efficient play for the Gators’ secondary in 2024.
