Sophomore safety Jordan Castell was one of Florida’s standout freshmen in 2023, emerging as a key player on both sides of the ball. Despite the Gators’ defensive struggles last season, Castell earned Freshman All-American and All-SEC honors, leading the team with 60 tackles (30 solo). His performance marked him as one of the most productive newcomers in the SEC.
Transitioning from high school to college football was a significant adjustment for the Orlando native, but Castell thrived despite the challenges. Pro Football Focus awarded him a defensive grade of 75.7, ranking him fifth among freshman safeties nationwide. At 6’2″ and 210 pounds, Castell was Florida’s third-highest graded defensive player and logged the most snaps of any Gator defender as a freshman, with 660.
Reflecting on his transition from cornerback to safety, Castell shared his experience: “A lot of it was new. I played a little safety in high school but was almost strictly a corner, so I was playing man. I had to just go out there with confidence. If I saw something, I had to believe it. Having the guys believe in me, showing up in practice every day, and being consistent helped a lot.”
One of Castell’s standout performances came in Florida’s loss to Arkansas, where he recorded a season-high 11 tackles and his first career interception. Another key moment was Florida’s 29-10 victory over Tennessee, just his third collegiate game, where he tallied 10 tackles and earned the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Week award.
Florida’s head coach, Billy Napier, has high expectations for Castell, recognizing his potential. “Jordan Castell is one of the better secondary players in the country,” Napier said, signaling the high regard in which he holds the young safety.
Now entering his second season, Castell feels far more at ease. “I’m way more comfortable this year,” he said. “Last year, there was a lot going on. I was like, ‘Man, I’ve never played in front of this many people before. This is crazy.’ But this year, I’m way more comfortable, and it’s not just me—it’s all the freshmen that came in with me. That’s a big plus for sure.”
The Gators are returning nine players who gained experience as freshmen last season on defense. This collective experience, combined with Castell’s increased comfort and confidence, sets the stage for an improved defensive performance in 2024.
Castell and his fellow sophomores—Kelby Collins, Aaron Gates, Sharif Denson, and TJ Searcy—were all ranked among Florida’s top 15 highest-graded defensive players last season. Castell emphasized the importance of believing in the team’s potential: “My freshman year, you could look at the record, but we had so many freshmen playing, and we’re all coming back. So next year, we’re like, ‘Let’s turn this around.’ We don’t want to go through that again.”
Changes in how the team reviews game film have also contributed to better chemistry and communication. This season, the defensive position groups meet together, which has helped everyone get on the same page. “We’re all in one room this year,” Castell explained. “The communication is so much better. We see things faster. Having everyone in the same room makes everything easier.”
With the addition of experienced players like Asa Turner in the offseason, Florida’s defense is poised to take a significant step forward in 2024. The Gators will return eight players with experience in the secondary, including four transfers who have collectively played 249 games. This depth and experience are expected to lead to better communication and more effective play from Florida’s secondary as they aim to improve on last year’s performance.
Leave a Reply