Florida Gators senior wide receiver Justin Shorter has accepted his invitation to participate in the East-West Shrine Bowl. Shorter transferred from Penn State for the 2020 season and has been with the Florida program ever since. Shorter is a fifth year senior, and a former five-star recruit.
He has been second on the team in receiving yards the past two years. Shorter had 577 receiving yards in just nine games this past season. He missed three games this year due to a hamstring injury. The improvements he made this season were very apparent. He surpassed his total yardage in three fewer games and increased his yards per reception by 6.5 yards.
Shorter is out of eligibility and will set his sights on the NFL Draft. The beginning of that process for him is in Las Vegas with the Shrine Bowl.
Justin Shorter is one of the bigger names that has currently accepted their Shrine Bowl invite, although the room is far from full. Currently, Zay Flowers out of Boston College and Jadon Haselwood from Arkansas are the other big names.
Flowers, Haselwood and Shorter are joined at the Shrine Bowl by Jadakis Bonds from Hampton and Dallas Daniels from Jackson State. Clayton Tune from Houston and Aidan O’Connell will play at quarterback in the game.
The East-West Shrine Bowl will take place on February 2, 2023, and is played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. If Shorter is able to impress, he can improve his draft stock dramatically. Shorter has improved as a deep threat, and if he can do that against other NFL prospects it should help his draft stock. Shorter also needs to show his versatility to run a full route tree and to not just be a jump ball receiver. If he can do so, he has a chance to rise up boards.
Florida Gators redshirt sophomore quarterback Anthony Richardson has declared for the NFL draft. Richardson was a first-year starter for the Gators this season, but has played in 22 games in total.
Photo by Mike Ehrmann via Getty Images
Anthony Richardson started in all 12 games this past season. The Gators went 6-6, including 3-5 in the SEC. Richardson went 176/327, a 53.8% rate, and had 2549 yards passing, for 7.8 yards per attempt. He had 17 passing touchdowns and nine interceptions. Richardson also added 103 rushes for 654 yards — an average of 6.3 yards per rush — and had nine touchdowns on the ground.
Anthony Richardson had a 79.8 PFF grade on the season and had many high points, but he also had a lot of inconsistencies that may give NFL draft scouts some pause. There were four games in which Richardson graded below a 65 on PFF’s scale, including two in the 40’s.
However, he also had four games that graded above an 80. If he can eliminate his low end performances, he can be a much better overall quarterback.
The NFL draft tends to love quarterbacks. They also tend to love prospects with extreme physical gifts. Anthony Richardson is both of these things. Richardson is currently looking as though he could be anywhere from a mid first-round pick to an early second-round pick. Richardson could rise in the draft due to his physical traits and an abundance of teams in need of quarterbacks.
Currently, Damian Parson of The Draft Network projects Anthony Richardson as the 9th overall pick in the draft. It is definitely a hot take, and Parson has him as the third quarterback off the board. NFL Mock Draft Database’s 2023 Consensus Big Board, a compilation of industry big boards and mock drafts, currently has Anthony Richardson as the 32nd overall player. They also have him as QB4.
Florida Gators senior linebacker Ventrell Miller has accepted an invitation to the Reese’s Senior Bowl. Miller, a sixth year senior, had a resurgent year coming back from injury this past season. Miller still dealt with injuries, including a fractured foot.
The defensive leader for the Gators, Miller was third on the team in total tackles with 74, including 34 solo and 8.5 for loss. For his career, Miller racked up 238 career tackles, 124 of which were solo, over the five seasons he played. The Gators have not had a bowl game announced, and Miller has not said if he will play in it or not, though he will most likely not.
Miller is out of eligibility and will set his sights on the NFL Draft. The beginning of that process starts in Mobile.
Miller will look to impress scouts at the week long event that takes place in Mobile, Alabama. Practices begin Tuesday, January 31, 2023. The game takes place on February 4, 2023 at 1:30pm EST.
The linebacker group is an interesting group as currently constructed, with more invites to come. Joining Miller is Auburn linebackers Owen Pappoe and Eku Leota, Texas Longhorn DeMarvion Overshown and Iowa State Cyclone Will McDonald IV. The group also has Dick Butkus Award finalist and Washington State Cougar Daiyan Henley. Smaller school players joining them are Tulane’s Dorian Williams, Jackson State’s Aubrey Miller Jr., and Appalachian State’s Nick Hampton.
Ventrell Miller will need an impressive Senior Bowl to move up in the draft. Miller won’t be an elite tester at the combine. The best way for him to improve his draft stock is to show what he can do on the field at the Senior Bowl, both in the game and in practices. He will be expected to be impressive in meetings during the week as well, which is an important part of the week for participants. Miller must use his football intelligence and experience to stand out. If he can do that, he can rise up draft boards.
Date: October 29, 2022 Time: 3:30 p.m. EST Network: CBS Records: Florida Gators (4-3) vs Georgia Bulldogs (7-0) Location: TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida Spread: Florida +22.5 Over/Under: 56.5 Pick: Georgia 49 – Florida 28
Florida vs Georgia Preview
Florida takes on Georgia at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville in a heated rivalry game. The Bulldogs are coming into the game undefeated, while Florida is sitting at 4-3. Georgia won the game last year, on their way to winning the SEC East and the National Championship. The game would have been kept close last year, but Florida had turnover issues at the end of the first half that helped the Bulldogs get the victory.
Florida’s offense looks more explosive this year, but has had some inconsistencies, while Georgia’s defense has taken a small step back. However, the Bulldogs are still a championship contender and should look to get a win.
Points Per Game (Rank): 43.2 (3) Total Yards Per Game: 534.5 (2) Passing YPG: 326.2 (8) Rushing YPG: 208.3 (16) Points Per Play: 0.589 (5) Yards Per Play: 7.3 (2) 3rd Down Conversion %: 54.93 (4) 4th Down Conversion %: 100.00 (1) Red Zone Scoring %: 100.00 (1)
Rush Play %: 48.64 (84) Yards Per Carry: 5.8 (5) Runs Per Game: 35.7 (68)
Pass Play %: 51.36 (48) Completion %: 70.91 (20) Yards Per Pass: 8.9 (11) Passes Per Game: 36.7 (28) Interception %: 0.45 (3) QB Sack %: 2.65 (11)
Defensive Stats
Points Per Game (Rank): 10.7 (2) Total Yards Per Game: 267.0 (5) Passing YPG: 172.8 (8) Rushing YPG: 94.2 (8) Points Per Play: 0.181 (2) Yards Per Play: 4.5 (10) 3rd Down Conversion %: 32.93 (22) 4th Down Conversion %: 55.56 (78) Red Zone Scoring %: 70.00 (9)
Rush Play %: 45.33 (10) Yards Per Carry: 3.5 (26) Runs Per Game: 26.7 (1)
Pass Play %: 54.67 (122) Completion %: 53.48 (8) Yards Per Pass: 5.5 (3) Passes Per Game: 31.2 (55) Interception %: 3.21 (37) QB Sack %: 3.11 (125)
Advanced Stats
F+ combines FEI, a neutral field scoring differential metric broken down per-possession, and SP+, a tempo and opponent adjusted efficiency metric. F+ can be broken down into Offensive F+ (OF+) and Defensive F+ (DF+). All metrics are from Football Outsiders. PFF’s power rankings are Point Spread Rating.
The Bulldogs are led on offense by quarterback Stetson Bennett. They have two elite tight ends in Brock Bowers and Darnell Washington. Florida has struggled to stop tight ends throughout the season, so Bowers and Washington will be vital in Georgia’s offensive attack. Georgia’s receivers have not lived up to expectation thus far, somewhat due to injury, and that continues as Adonai Mitchell is questionable. The running game is led by Kenny McIntosh.
Georgia’s defense has still been very good despite a step down due to a large number of losses to the NFL. Star defensive tackle Jalen Carter is questionable for the game. The secondary is extremely talented, led by future first round pick Kelee Ringo at cornerback.
Points Per Game (Rank): 28.0 (60) Total Yards Per Game: 389.7 (65) Passing YPG: 187.8 (104) Rushing YPG: 201.8 (25) Points Per Play: 0.453 (29) Yards Per Play: 6.3 (25) 3rd Down Conversion %: 41.89 (48) 4th Down Conversion %: 60.00 (35) Red Zone Scoring %: 80.00 (80)
Rush Play %: 57.72 (48) Yards Per Carry: 6.3 (25) Runs Per Game: 33.8 (90)
Pass Play %: 45.28 (84) Completion %: 54.32 (112) Yards Per Pass: 7.0 (82) Passes Per Game: 27.0 (105) Interception %: 3.70 (103) QB Sack %: 3.57 (20)
Defensive Stats
Points Per Game (Rank): 30.0 (80) Total Yards Per Game: 441.2 (104) Passing YPG: 242.0 (78) Rushing YPG: 199.2 (111) Points Per Play: 0.421 (86) Yards Per Play: 6.2 (112) 3rd Down Conversion %: 54.43 (131) 4th Down Conversion %: 44.44 (35) Red Zone Scoring %: 83.33 (60)
Rush Play %: 56.78 (110) Yards Per Carry: 4.9 (115) Runs Per Game: 40.5 (108)
Pass Play %: 43.22 (22) Completion %: 65.52 (109) Yards Per Pass: 8.3 (114) Passes Per Game: 29.0 (29) Interception %: 3.45 (28) QB Sack %: 5.95 (62)
The Gators are led on offense by Anthony Richardson, as well as a two-headed attack out of the backfield from Montrell Johnson and Trevor Etienne. Justin Shorter has been the most productive receiver for the Gators, and Ricky Pearsall has also been good, but with more limited production. The tight ends have not provided consistent production for the team.
The offensive line gets a massive addition with O’Cyrus Torrence coming back from injury this week. The star right guard has a chance to be an All-American at the end of the season. Others along the offensive line have also played well, and there are no weak points along it, which is vital for success.
The defense has struggled mightily this year. The secondary has given up a ton of big plays, and the defensive line has consistently failed to get pressure. Even the linebackers have struggled as well. The Gators are last in the country in 3rd down defense. Everything that can go wrong has gone wrong defensively. Florida must create turnovers in this game, and must greatly improve on third down to stand a chance in the game.
Date: October 15, 2022 Time: 7:00 p.m. EST Network: ESPN Records: Florida Gators (4-2) vs LSU Tigers (4-2) Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida Spread: Florida -2.5 Over/Under: 50.5 Pick: Florida 31 – LSU 27
Florida vs LSU Preview
Florida comes into this game as a two and a half point favorite at home. The Gators and Tigers both enter at 4-2. LSU is coming off a 40-13 loss to Tennessee, while Florida is coming off a 24-17 victory against Missouri. The game will be a test of strength vs strength and weakness vs weakness, and it could very well come down to the end.
Points Per Game (Rank): 25.2 (83) Total Yards Per Game: 404.6 (55) Passing YPG: 243.6 (62) Rushing YPG: 161.0 (54) Points Per Play: 0.326 (91) Yards Per Play: 5.2 (79) 3rd Down Conversion %: 43.48 (38) 4th Down Conversion %: 50.00 (68) Red Zone Scoring %: 78.95 (78)
Rush Play %: 47.80 (88) Yards Per Carry: 4.4 (55) Runs Per Game: 37.0 (53)
Pass Play %: 52.20 (44) Completion %: 67.21 (20) Yards Per Pass: 6.7 (93) Passes Per Game: 36.6 (26) Interception %: 0.55 (6) QB Sack %: 9.41 (115)
Defensive Stats
Points Per Game (Rank): 19.4 (22) Total Yards Per Game: 341.8 (28) Passing YPG: 219.4 (43) Rushing YPG: 122.4 (32) Points Per Play: 0.297 (31) Yards Per Play: 5.2 (46) 3rd Down Conversion %: 38.89 (65) 4th Down Conversion %: 50.00 (46) Red Zone Scoring %: 78.57 (38)
Rush Play %: 50.76 (59) Yards Per Carry: 3.7 (41) Runs Per Game: 33.2 (32)
Pass Play %: 49.24 (73) Completion %: 57.05 (31) Yards Per Pass: 7.4 (70) Passes Per Game: 29.8 (43) Interception %: 2.01 (83) QB Sack %: 7.45 (28)
Advanced Stats
F+ is a combination of FEI and SP+. SP+ is an opponent and tempo adjusted efficiency metric while FEI is a neutral field scoring differential per-possession metric. F+ is broken down into Offensive F+ (OF+) and Defensive F+ (DF+). All five of the metrics are from Football Outsiders. PFF’s Point Spread Rating is PFF’s power rankings.
The LSU Tigers are lead by transfer quarterback Jayden Daniels, formerly of Arizona State. Daniels posses a significant threat to a Gators defense that has struggled with mobile quarterbacks. The Tigers are extremely talented at receiver as well. The weaknesses of the offense sit on their running backs and their offensive line, which is being made worse by injuries.
LSU has an extensive history of defensive back play, but this team is actually led by their defensive line. Ali Gaye and B.J. Ojulari on the edge and Jaquelin Roy and Mekhi Wingo on the interior. Mike Jones Jr. leads the linebacker core, with key freshman Harold Perkins getting key snaps. The linebackers will have to do a good job of containing and tackling, and will be relied upon to stop Anthony Richardson’s scrambles. While the secondary is not up to the usual LSU standards, they are an experienced group with multiple transfers, including Mekhi Garner who played under Billy Napier last season at Louisiana.
Points Per Game (Rank): 26.6 (70) Total Yards Per Game: 390.8 (71) Passing YPG: 188.4 (107) Rushing YPG: 202.4 (24) Points Per Play: 0.430 (39) Yards Per Play: 6.3 (20) 3rd Down Conversion %: 38.71 (67) 4th Down Conversion %: 75.00 (15) Red Zone Scoring %: 82.35 (67)
Rush Play %: 54.69 (45) Yards Per Carry: 6.0 (6) Runs Per Game: 33.8 (87)
Pass Play %: 45.31 (87) Completion %: 53.68 (113) Yards Per Pass: 6.9 (84) Passes Per Game: 27.2 (102) Interception %: 4.41 (115) QB Sack %: 2.86 (16)
Points Per Game (Rank): 27.0 (63) Total Yards Per Game: 423.8 (95) Passing YPG: 220.6 (49) Rushing YPG: 203.2 (117) Points Per Play: 0.378 (62) Yards Per Play: 5.9 (98) 3rd Down Conversion %: 52.24 (125) 4th Down Conversion %: 28.57 (14) Red Zone Scoring %: 80.00 (42)
Rush Play %: 57.42 (117) Yards Per Carry: 5.0 (131) Runs Per Game: 41.0 (108)
Pass Play %: 42.58 (15) Completion %: 64.08 (90) Yards Per Pass: 7.8 (83) Passes Per Game: 28.4 (29) Interception %: 4.23 (16) QB Sack %: 6.58 (45)
Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Gators come into this game as one of the most efficient running games in the country. Montrell Johnson will be getting his first start at Florida. Johnson is averaging 8.0 yards per carry (YPC) entering the game. Trevor Etienne is listed as second string for the first time this season. The 4-star freshman from Louisiana is currently averaging 6.7 YPC.
Nay’quan Wright will be the third running back for the first time this season, but will continue to rotate through. Wright is much less effective on the ground than Johnson and Etienne, averaging just 4.0 YPC, but he provides a lot of value in the passing game. Wright has played less recently even while starting, getting just 8 snaps against Missouri last week. Anthony Richardson will be looked upon to provide explosive plays to the offense when he runs, especially against an LSU defense that plays a decent amount of man coverage.
Passing Game
In the passing game, the Gators have been very up and down this season. Richardson has been the main reason why, as he has yet to find much consistency. He has a 55.9% completion percentage and is averaging 8.2 yards per attempt. According to PFF, his adjusted completion percentage is 64.8%. Ideally, it would be above 70%. Richardson has a 70.7 PFF grade on the season, with 8 big time throws, which they describe as “a pass with excellent ball location and timing, generally thrown further down the field and/or into a tighter window” according to PFF’s Steve Palazzolo and Sam Monson. He also has 9 turnover-worthy throws.
For the Gators receiving wise, Justin Shorter leads the team in yards with 334 yards on 15 catches, averaging an impressive 22.3 yards per reception. Xzavier Henderson leads the team with receptions with 23 for just 210 yards. Ricky Pearsall leads the team in touchdown receptions with just two, but has added one on the ground. He has 14 catches for 254 yards for 18.1 yards per reception.
Florida Gators Keys To Victory
Get 3rd Down Stops
Run The Ball
Pressure and Contain the Quarterback
Win the Turnover Battle
Florida vs LSU Recruiting Notes
This game is a major official and unofficial visit weekend for the Gators. They have a lot of high value 2023 and 2024 targets visiting and will look to impress. Florida has decided to make this weekend a big recruiting weekend because of the bye week next week, which will allow for coaches to spend more time with recruits after the game on Sunday and even Monday. It is easily the biggest recruiting weekend of the year for the Gators.
2023 Official Visitors
The Gators are welcoming four official visitors according to On3 and Gators Online’s Donavon Keiser. Newly committed safety Bryce Thornton, and quarterback commit Marcus Stokes are two of them. A pair of 5-star teammates make up the other two, in defensive tackle James Smith and edge rusher Qua Russaw.
2023 Unofficial Visitors
5-Star running back and Alabama commit Richard Young will be attending the game for the second time this season, according to 247Sports and Swamp247’s Blake Alderman. 4-star defensive tackle Jordan Hall will be in attendance, as will 4-star defensive tackle and UCF commit John Walker. South Carolina commit Xzavier McCloud will be visiting as well. Georgia Tech graduate transfer linebacker Demetrius Knight will be there, as well Gainesville receiver 4-star Jaren Hamilton. Both Knight and Hamilton have not received offers from this coaching staff.
2023 Commits Visiting
Sports Illustrated’s Conner Clarke has the Gator’s hosting 11 current 2023 commits on unofficial visits for Florida vs LSU. The three stars are wide receivers Creed Whittemore and Tyree Patterson, as well as interior offensive lineman Knijeah Harris from IMG Academy. Recently committed four-star cornerback Dijon Johnson will be in attendance, as will cornerback Sharif Denson. Safety Jordan Castell and linebacker Jaden Robinson will be there. Three four-star defensive linemen will be in attendance with TJ Searcy, Kamran James, and Kelby Collins. Collins is currently Florida’s highest ranked commit on the On3 consensus. Top 100 wide receiver Aidan Mizell will be at the game as well.
2024 Visitors
There are a ton of high-quality 2024 visitors that will be in attendance. 247Sports 5-star quarterback DJ Lagway leads the list of names. Other 5-stars in attendance include top cornerback and number two overall recruit Desmond Ricks, legacy recruit edge rusher Elijah Rushing, and wide receivers and teammates Jeremiah Smith and Josiah Trader.
2024 running back commit Chauncey Bowens is among the four-stars in attendance for 2024. Running back Stacy Gage will be there, as will offensive tackle Daniel Calhoun. Florida State commit Jordan Pride, a safety is expected to be there, as is safety Jordan Johnson-Rubell. Edge rusher Ernest Willor is expected to be there, as are linebacker Kristopher Jones and cornerback TyShun White.
There are a couple three-stars expected to be in attendance for 2024. One is defensive lineman Kendall Jackson. The other is safety Christian Peterson, who does not currently have an offer from Florida.
2025 Prospects
247Sports Consensus 5-star receivers Caleb Cunningham and Jamie Ffrench are expected to be in attendance for Florida vs LSU, as is four star receiver Koby Howard. Tight end Ethan Barbour is expected to be there, as well as athlete Vernell Brown III and linebacker Gavin Nix. Quarterback Tramell Jones Jr is expected to be in attendance. On3 expects edge rusher Armondo Blount to be there as well.
