We had 9 DEs. Davis wasn't in the top 4 on the depth chart. Smith is the only one he was in front of.
@Thick&ThinG8r you're right.....Law is completely, 100% wrong on K. Davis. We know Law hates our smaller DE's (hell, he pretty much hates all of our DE's). K. Davis was projected to be a possible starter in 2017 and
made FIVE starts in 2016.....and the 2016 D was better than the 2017 D. He was definitely in our top 4. He wasn't in LAW's top 4, I'll concede....
I did a google search, to refresh your memory of K. Davis. Here's one of several articles:
How Florida's battle with the injury bug in 2016 could pay dividends in 2017
https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/f...as-battle-injury-bug-2016-pay-dividends-2017/
(from the article):
Cox and Jordan Sherit, who is returning in 2017, were the first-string defensive ends at the start of the season, but both were hit by the injury bug.
That led to more reps at defensive end for Keivonnis Davis (27 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks), Cece Jefferson (30 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks) and Jabari Zuniga (25 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 5 sacks).
If those most experienced players win out, the Gators starting defense could look like this:
DE Keivonnis Davis
DT Cece Jefferson
NT Khairi Clark
DE Jordan Sherit
LB Kylan Johnson
LB David Reese
LB Vosean Joseph
CB Duke Dawson
FS Nick Washington
SS Marcel Harris
CB Chauncey Gardner
That would be 11 first-string defenders all with at least some starting experience, which makes losing eight starters a lot easier to swallow. While the injury bug was a thorn in Florida’s side this season, it could prove to be a blessing in disguise for 2017.
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Florida Gators defense won’t take a downturn
http://www.gatorcountry.com/feature/florida-gators-defense-wont-take-a-downturn/
Replacing Ivie and Brantley inside are Taven Bryan (3 starts) and Khairi Clark (4 starts). The Gators will need Bryan and Clark to take the next step in their development and assume starter roles. Florida also needs to restock in the 2017 recruiting class.
The good news is Florida will get back Jordan Sherit (11 starts), a player who can set the edge as well as CeCe Jefferson (10 starts) and Keivonnis Davis (5 starts) returning to help Florida on the perimeter.
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Another article listing K. Davis in the top 4 DE rotation going into 2017:
http://www.gatorsports.com/2017/08/uf-position-breakdown-d-line-loaded-talent-experience/
The Gators have quality depth at both end positions — Jordan Sherit at one and Keivonnis Davis at the other. Sherit started seven games last season and recorded 3.5 sacks. He’s UF’s most experienced lineman, having played in 32 games.
Davis started five games last season and also was productive coming off the bench in the eight other games.
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Here's another from week 11 2016 season listing K. Davis as the starter at DE.
http://www.onlygators.com/11/07/201...16-depth-chart-for-week-11-vs-south-carolina/