Gators will be without Ventrell Miller Saturday vs. USF
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Redshirt senior linebacker Ventrell Miller will miss Florida’s game against USF Saturday. Miller was listed as out with a lower-body injury on Florida’s depth chart that was released on Wednesday night.
When asked how long Miller would be out, Napier simply said, “he won’t play this week.”
Miller left Florida’s loss to Kentucky in the second half and didn’t return to the game. The middle linebacker has been a captain this season and is a leader not only for the defense but for the whole team.
“Ventrell is the quarterback of the defense. He’s very vocal, so that makes it very difficult for us to play without him on defense,” defensive lineman Gervon Dexter Sr. said last Saturday. “He communicates well and does a lot of things well. It is kind of like losing your heart.”
This is Miller’s sixth season at Florida. He missed most of the 2021 season with a torn biceps. It’s unclear how long he will be out, but Florida’s defense will miss him on the field this Saturday.
In two games Miller is second on the team with 15 tackles. He also has 1.5 tackles for a loss, two quarterback hurries, and a pass breakup.
Replacing Miller
Without Miller on the field, the Gators will turn to freshman Shemar James and redshirt freshman Scooby Williams. Starting in place of Miller is Williams.
James has already started both of Florida’s games this season and has 11 total tackles. He’s a young player but his teammates have raved about him.
“He’s definitely very coachable, has a lot of potential,” Miller said of James last month. “We just gotta keep getting him to learn, be a little bit faster in his calls and recognition and stuff. But, definitely a guy with a lot of potential.”
The pair of young linebackers will have a veteran in Amari Burney with them on the field. This week they’ll be tasked with playing more snaps against the Bulls.
Other Gators out vs. USF
TE Arlis Bardingham (upper body)
CB Jaydon Hill (lower body)
QB Jack Miller (thumb)
OL David Conner (thumb)
LS Marco Ortiz (upper body)
OL Michael Tarquin (lower body)
![Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier celebrates with Florida Gators wide receiver Aidan Mizell (11) after a touchdown during the first half at the Orange and Blue spring football game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, April 13, 2024. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/height=215,width=393,quality=90,fit=cover,gravity=0.5x0.5/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/04/13155133/Untitled-design-65-2.png)
