Would you expect that all of the starting defensive backs on the Gator roster are under classmen? Joe Haden, Ahmad Black, and Major Wright are all sophomores. Along with true freshman cornerback Janoris Jenkins, this superior group of DBs has more than enough promise for the future.

Before the 2008 season started, Dorian Munroe was the projected starter at the strong safety position with Wright at the other safety slot. Unfortunately an ACL tear would keep Munroe out for the season.

This would lead to the emergence of Ahmad Black. At 5-foot-9, 190-pounds, Black was a projected cornerback. But due to the lack of depth at the safety position, Black made the transition from cornerback to safety.

But you won’t hear Black complaining. With two interceptions and 28 tackles so far this season, Black is taking advantage of his first year starting.

The list of young talent doesn’t stop there. Stud recruit Will Hill will make the competition at the safety position brutal. Rated as the top athlete in the 2008 class, Hill has plenty to offer Defensive Backs coach Chuck Heater.

Another top safety recruit coming out of high school was Dee Finley. But due to academic issues, Finley was forced to play at a prep school in New York for the 2008 campaign. He is still currently a verbal commitment to the Gators and will do everything he can to earn some playing time when he arrives in Gainesville.

Don’t forget about Dorian Munroe. I’m sure he has some motivation coming into next season.

Joe Haden has definitely stepped up in 2008. Producing 37 tackles, the most out of all the Gator DBs, it doesn’t look like Haden is easing up. He has evolved into a reliable cornerback. Haden may leave UF as one of the best corners to wear the orange and blue.

A player I’m very excited to watch in the future is freshman phenom Janoris Jenkins. He has had two blowout performances against Tennessee and LSU. In my opinion, he is the best true cornerback Florida has had since Lito Sheppard.

Reggie Lewis, Tremaine Mccollum, and Vernell Brown were all great contributors to Gator football as cornerbacks. But Jenkins size, jamming ability, and instinct separate him from that group of players; Lewis came to Florida as a wide receiver, while Mccollum and Brown both lacked in size.

It’s going to be fun to watch this secondary compete and perform in the upcoming years.

* Gator squad is still a young football team. *

The majority of the Florida football team is still pretty young.

The offensive line for Florida will get better and better as the clock keeps ticking. The Pouncey twins, Marcus Gilbert, Carl Johnson, and James Wilson will all be juniors after the 2008 season. Tight-end Aaron Hernandez will be a junior next year as well.

They will continue to block for the freshman running-back duo of Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps. If you didn’t know, these guys are a pretty good one-two punch. Red-shirt freshman Deonte Thompson also has plenty of time to blossom into an elite receiver.

Emmanuel Moody, 2006 Pac-10 freshman of the year and USC transfer, still has more than two years to show the Gator faithful what he’s all about.

Along with the young secondary, the defensive line is loaded with youth. Carlos Dunlap, Lawrence Marsh, Justin Trattou, Duke Lemmens, and Torrey Davis will be juniors in 2009. Matt Patchan has been a solid contributor at defensive tackle and he’s only a freshman.

CB Jeremy Brown, LB Brendan Beal, DT Omar Hunter, DE Earl Okine, DE William Green, WR Omarius Hines, and WR Frankie Hammond Jr. are all receiving red-shirts this year. The list of talent at UF seems endless.

As you can see I’m pretty fired up about the future of Florida football. The best part about it is that the 2008 season is only at the halfway point.

Written By- Sean Crawford