Marcell Harris’ injury leaves Gator secondary in question
The Florida Gators’ secondary took a major blow when it was announced that senior safety Marcell Harris would be out for the 2017 season. Should Florida fans hit the panic button before the season even starts?
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The Gators started Thursday morning with some heartbreaking news. The team announced via Twitter that senior defensive back Marcell Harris would miss the entire 2017 season with a torn right Achilles.
Harris stepped into the starting free safety role during the 2016 season after Marcus Maye suffered a broken arm. With Maye departing Gainesville for the NFL, Harris was a shoo-in for the starting job this fall. Especially since he had a team-leading 73 tackles in 2016.
Harris is a fifth-year senior, so he should be able to apply for a medical redshirt, which would give him a sixth-year of eligibility, should he chose to do so.
Should Florida fans hit the panic button?
No. Take a deep breath Florida faithful. This is a bummer, but not the end of the world. While Harris is a great player and was a potential All-American, the Gators have depth. Young depth, but depth nonetheless.
Florida will definitely miss Harris filling the alley and putting violent hits on ball carriers, but perhaps the biggest thing they will miss is his leadership presence. The Florida depth chart is flooded with youngsters in the secondary. Guys like Chauncey Gardner, Jeawon Taylor, and Quincy Lenton will now turn to a pair of seniors, Duke Dawson and Nick Washington for guidance.
There is also a slew of incoming freshmen defensive backs that will now have a chance to play immediately. Marco Wilson, younger brother of second round draft pick Quincy Wilson, is coming to Gainesville this fall with high expectations. Given the injury to Harris, there is a chance that Wilson could play early and often in 2017.
What will the secondary look like?
The most likely replacement for Harris is Gardner, who got valuable reps at the safety position in 2016 but was expected to move to cornerback spot in 2017. Gardner was named the 2017 Outback Bowl MVP in the Gators 30-3 victory over Iowa in January.
Washington played the majority of 2016 before his year was cut short by an ankle injury. Look for him to be the starting strong safety on Sept. 2 vs Michigan. Washington has been good in spurts, but he will look to take another step in his final season in Gainesville.
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As for the cornerback positions, Dawson looks to be a sure starter at one of the spots this fall. Dawson has been a superb nickel corner for the Gators throughout his career, and with Teez Tabor and Quincy Wilson now in the NFL, he will have his time to shine at one of the outside corner positions. Whoever ends up getting the nod from defensive coordinator Randy Shannon, it will be someone with minimal to no experience.
Predicted Starters (Week 1):
CB- Duke Dawson
FS- Chauncey Gardner
SS- Nick Washington
CB- Marco Wilson
Head Coach Jim McElwain doesn’t like to show his hand, so it is likely we won’t know who the starters are until they take the field in Arlington, Tex. on Sept. 2.