Second year Florida football Defensive line coach Gerald Chatman helped feed a reversal of the position group in the second half of the 2024 season.
THE Gators from Florida Generated more than one rush inward and were robust against the race in the second half of the 2024 campaign, which led to a sequence of victories of four games to close the 8-5 season.
Catman coaching drew the attention of the NFL, where he interviewed for the Chicago Bears“Use of defensive line coaching. Finally, the work of coaches of the Bears defensive line went to Jeremy Garrett.
“Whenever you are one of something special, you are part of a very good program, I think the opportunities arise – not only for me, but for other coaches in our program,” said Catman. “So, my experience is that I am grateful, I am grateful, I have gratitude that I am part of this program under this direction and the coaches with whom I work every day. Dude, it’s a blessing to be a gator at the moment.”
Hired by Tulane, Catman brought an advantage to the defensive line with the difficulty he led to, which led to an increase in his total of his bag from 22 in 2023 to 39 in 2024.
“Last year, it was more establishing mentality, just order and how we do things, how we work,” said Catman. “I think it all starts with the state of mind first, with any player, but specifically defensive line players. They must be in the right state of mind, and I think they have become that.
“They became a closer brotherhood and a united group, where they started to coach.
How Florida Defensive football line projects in 2025
Florida has a hole to be filled with the nose tacker spot with Watson by eligibility and Cam Jackson declaring the draft of the NFL. It is a 791 pounds combined with mass UF will not have to fill the race this season.
Catman said he was satisfied with the progress of Michai Drinking, a second year student of 6 feet 5 inches and 355 pounds from Atlanta who appeared in 12 games as a real recruit last season, making 12 plated.
“He’s an intelligent child,” said Catman. “He is a hard child. I expect him to have a big role, you know, in the future. He improves with technique and fundamentals.”
The first year student, Stephon Shivers (6-4, 399 pounds) is also a larger body capable of playing the nose.
“It is strong.” Said Catman. “It’s always good to have this type of guy in the room. Simply put it in this A-GAP, and I think we will be fine. But he is a young child, he always learns a lot, you know, technical, fundamental, a lot on his plate at the moment.”
Jamari Lyons (6-4, 30) is back at the camp in a jersey without contact with exercises after having been broken last August. Catman said he was able to play both points inside. After a season in small groups, Caleb Banks Senior (6-6, 329 pounds) chose to return rather than declaring the draft of the NFL. Banks, who finished last season with 4.5 bags and seven plated for the loss, has retained spring exercises so far with a foot injury.
“Having a guy like that one who started reaching a summit backwards of the season last year, it does it from the first day – and then being coherent throughout the year,” said Catman. “This is the challenge. So, for him, the whole mentality is that it is like, hey, look, it’s not only the part that works. It’s not only, hey, you come back and you are this guy. You have to work to be this guy.”
Catman mentioned the second year defensive platform of Antre Robison (6-3, 303 pounds) and Brien Taylor Jr. Senior (6-5, 278) like other players capable of contributing in advance this season.
“Guys like Antre Robinson and Brien Taylor, they are doing a very good job,” said Catman. “Delighted by D’Antre. Think that he is a hard kid, a big kid to have around the program. He cares about his teammates. He has a set of skills – he is contracted. So, I think he is one of those guys who will play a big role this year.”
Kevin Brockway is the writer of Beat Florida de Gainesville Sun. Contact it at [email protected]. Follow him on x @ kevinbrockwayg1
This article originally appeared on the Sun Gainesville: DL coach Gerald Chatman wishing to build in the second season with Football in Florida
