Corey Raymond on UF cornerback room competing in spring

Untitled_design__8_-removebg-previewby:Pat O'Donnell•03/31/23•

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Florida secondary coach and assistant head coach Corey Raymond has a number of talented cornerbacks in his room, but only two get to start on Saturdays.

It’s safe to say Jason Marshall Jr., who started all 13 games as a true sophomore, has one of those spots essentially locked up.

Of all the players in this deep room, Raymond was quick to say Marshall was the one who has improved the most since the conclusion of the 2022 campaign.

“Well, I’ll say Jason Marshall; he got better,” Raymond told Gators Online and others. “As the season started progressing, you saw the climb in his play, which, you know, he was a highly recruited guy, everybody recruited him. You see that coming out right now.”

Going into his third season with the Gators, Marshall has an opportunity to put himself in a great spot as a high draft pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

“Honestly just being a pro, doing everything the right way,” Raymond said. “Working extra, working hard at practice, doing all those little things. He’s doing that. It’s like he’s ready to be a professional and he’s working like that to be a professional.”

Who could play on the other island for Florida

Opposite of Marshall could be a number of names including Devin Moore or Jalen Kimber.

Moore played in five games as a true freshman before his season came to a close with a shoulder injury that required surgery.

“Devin has a chance to be really special,” Raymond said “He’s been working hard coming back from this injury. Really, today was the first day coming back out there. He’s got a little rust on him but you can see the flashes.”

It could also be Kimber, who transferred to Florida from Georgia ahead of the 2022 season. 

Kimber dealt with a broken hand for the Gators this past season, but that didn’t stop him from playing in all 13 games for Florida with a pick six against USF.

“And also Jalen Kimber’s done a really good job,” Raymond said. “Both of those guys played really well in spring ball so far. I mean, we got some good players, really good players, and they’re, as you say, the sky’s the limit for them, but they’ve got to keep working. They can’t settle just to be – you can’t settle for Wednesday; you got to be better by Saturday. So everyday that you’re a football player, on the football field you’ve got to reach and get better everyday.”

There’s no question the Gators have multiple options at corner. The list doesn’t end there either as true freshmen such as Ja’Keem Jackson could see plenty of snaps this fall.

Stay tuned to Gators Online.

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