What Jarren Williams can expect against Florida’s defense

Earning the starting QB job for Miami Hurricanes redshirt freshman Jarren Williams was a huge accomplishment. Williams will face his biggest test of the season in his first game as a starter when Miami opens the season against Florida.

The Miami Hurricanes will face the best defense they will play all season when the open against Florida a week from Saturday night in Orlando. The Hurricanes season opener against the Gators will be a huge test against a talented and experienced secondary for newly name Miami starting QB redshirt freshman Jarren Williams.

Jarren Williams was tabbed as the Miami Hurricanes starting QB because he is the Hurricanes most accurate passer and has taken care of the ball the best during training camp. Williams’ ascension to Miami’s starting QB was a surprise over redshirt sophomores N’Kosi Perry and Tate Martell.

Jarren Williams has shown excellent touch during his year-plus in the Miami football program. Now he will have the chance to prove it in a raucous atmosphere at Camping World Stadium. The likelihood is that the crowd will be far more partisan towards the Gators than the Hurricanes.

Williams has to block out the noise in Orlando and worry more about what is happening on the field. Florida has five talented defensive backs returning in 2019.

Junior cornerbacks

CJ Henderson

and Marco Wilson, sophomore Trey Dean and safeties, junior free Brad Stewart and seniors strong Jeawon Taylor are a tough challenge. Having to face those five in his first collegiate start is a tough beginning for Williams.

Henderson was named first-team preseason All-SEC. Henderson finished 2018 with 38 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions, and five pass breakups. Stewart and Taylor combined for 84 tackles last season.

Williams has to take care of the football against Florida. It’s one of the biggest reasons he won the competition to be the starting QB over Martell and Perry. The Gators finished 24th in FBS in 2018 with 14 interceptions. Miami is the best in college football at forcing turnovers, but they have to keep the margin high.

The SEC football-centric website Saturday’s Down South previewed Florida last month.

"“In Henderson and Wilson, Florida has the best 1-2 cover corner punch in America. Henderson is Florida’s best football player, a guy who plays with relentless effort and is an exceptional athlete.What people forget is Wilson was probably better than Henderson as a freshman, and a trendy All-SEC pick last preseason before injuring his knee and being lost for the season on the first drive against Kentucky. His return stabilizes a position where the Gators lacked depth last season.Trey Dean is the next great Florida DB, too; he’s a tremendous athlete with a penchant for the big hit. Kaiir Elam is among a group of freshmen who add depth at corner.The Gators have questions at safety. Brad Stewart is an All-SEC caliber talent but struggled with consistency last season. Taylor and Donovan Stiner will rotate at strong; neither is an elite athlete although both are cerebral players who are good in run support.Taylor is a steady tackler who also ranked 1st among SEC strong safeties in snaps per reception (30.1), which suggests the Gators are better at that spot than some think. The Gators would like a young face to emerge on the back end of the secondary.”"

The Gators and Hurricanes had two of the nation’s best pass defenses in 2018. Miami led the nation in passing yards allowed in 2018. Florida finished 13th nationally in pass defense in 2018. The Gators are in a better place to repeat their stellar pass defense from last season early in 2019 with their entire secondary returning.

With Williams making his first collegiate start against Florida the Hurricanes are likely to use a ball-control offense and rely on the defense. Expect a lot of DeeJay Dallas and Cam’Ron Harris running the football and for Williams looking for the tight ends and utilizing a short passing game. Keeping the score low benefits Miami.