How the Florida Gators addressed their needs at offensive tackle
Offensive tackle was a major point of emphasis for the Florida Gators this recruiting cycle and they didn’t come away empty-handed.
Far from it.
In all, Florida signed five offensive linemen. And many of them potentially could play tackle. One of them should push for a starting job in 2024.
Let’s take a closer look at those pickups.
San Diego State transfer Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson is the tackle signee we’re likely to see the most of next season. He appeared in 38 career games for the Aztecs, starting 36. Crenshaw-Dickson allowed nine pressures in 2023 and just six sacks in four seasons with San Diego State, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Gators need better play from their tackles — and he could help provide it.
“He’s played, I think, 2,500 snaps. He started 35-plus games. Very productive player, All-Conference player in the Mountain West, and equally as impressive when you meet him,” Florida coach Billy Napier said. “Looking to play against better competition. Very similar dynamic to maybe what C’Bo was trying to do when he came here.”
Fletcher Westphal was the Florida Gators’ highest-ranked OL signee
Among the high school signees, 4-star recruit Fletcher Westphal of Leesburg (Va.) Tuscarora has the highest ranking and perhaps biggest upside. He checks in as the No. 14 tackle nationally for the On3 Industry Rankings. Westphal also played along the defensive line and is a physical specimen at 6-foot-8 and 330 pounds.
He looks like an SEC offensive tackle, which is what the Florida Gators needed more of.
“I can’t compliment Fletcher enough in terms of the recruiting process,” Napier said. “I think his mom and dad and Fletcher executed that process, just total professionals, educated, flipped over every rock. Fletcher’s a unique athlete. You look at junior tape to senior tape — and he may have made the biggest jump of any player in this class. He’ll be here mid-year. He’s 330; he looks like he’s 260. So Fletcher is going to make us better.”
Then, you have Mike Williams. He’s a 6-foot-7, 315-pound tackle from Baltimore (Md.) Charles Herbert Flowers. Williams, a South Carolina commit at one time, is the No. 92 tackle in the country for the On3 Industry Rankings.
Could Mike Williams be the sleeper of the UF class?
“Mike Williams is a football junkie,” Napier said. “I go up to see Mike. We’re sitting down, and this guy starts talking football. It’s like talking to a coach. He’s a student of the game. He’s talking about speed rush, speed to power, long-arm, ghost, double-hand swipe — all the things he does to combat those things. And he’s got football pedigree,” Napier said. “He’s a worker, and I’m excited about Mike. He’s a very bright, smart young man — he’s got a great presence to him.”
For what it’s worth, signee Marcus Mascoll, a 4-star with On3, also has the ability to play tackle. The Gators beat out LSU to land him. His future position is to be determined.
“Mascoll has position flexibility,” Napier said. “He’s got height and length as well. He plays in a really good program, and I think he’s played a lot of football. He’s a lean 285 — he’s played some tackle and some guard.”
The Florida Gators’ final offensive line signee is German Noel Portnjagin. He is listed at 6-5, 315 pounds and is the No. 68 tackle in the class. But Napier mentioned him with the “inside players” on National Signing Day.
The post How the Florida Gators addressed their needs at offensive tackle appeared first on On3.
