The 2021 college football season is already underway and the Gators will join this Saturday at 7:30 pm inside the Swamp.

Dan Mullen met with the media to kick off the season, updating injuries, a new transfer, and his excitement about getting back into Ben Hill Griffin Stadium with a capacity crowd.

Cornerback Kamar Wilcoxson is "doubtful" for the season opener with a knee injury. Wilcoxson tweeted that he will need surgery, but Dan Mullen downplayed the seriousness of the injury.

Defensive tackle Daquan Newkirk had been reportedly dealing with a groin injury but Mullen says he's "good to go."

Defensive tackle Jalen Lee (ankle) is questionable.

Monday the Gators added former Auburn defensive tackle Tyrone Truesdell. It's late in the game to add a transfer and Dan Mullen explained the addition on Monday.

“I think you’re looking at your depth and that was a position really, to me, it was a little bit of a recruiting gap in the middle that we’ve had from my first and second year here. Then you have some injuries and some guys not able to perform," Mullen said. "It was somebody that we looked at immediately at the start of training camp and it’s just something that you look at the depth chart, where you’re at, the needs, and you got a guy that started a lot of games in this league, the opportunity for him to come in — I know it’s kind of a late start but being a veteran guy that’s started in the league I think he’s going to adapt really quick.”

After a uniquely challenging season in 2020 with limited capacity stadiums the Gators are excited to get back into Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, under the lights, with a full stadium of fans. It will have been 645 days since the Gators last played at home without attendance restrictions and the excitement about that prospect is evident.

"Obviously going to be an exciting weekend here on campus," Dan Mullen said. "I know our fans did a great job last year, but to go get fans back in the Swamp and create that atmosphere, create that home-field advantage, the energy, the excitement, whether you're going through the Gator Walk to running out in front of 90,000 fans in the Swamp, to hearing that energy and excitement they create for the players."

The Gators released their first depth chart of the season but if you have been following along throughout fall camp you'll know how much Dan Mullen hates depth charts.

There was little surprise but when asked about the release, Mullen had this to say.

"I guess that’s today’s depth chart. It changes every day. Show up on Saturday, you get to see who starts."

A couple of interesting notes were:

Trent Whittemore starting in the slot. Florida didn't have sophomore Xzavier Henderson listed as a starter but receiver is a position that rotates heavily and Henderson is expected to be a major contributor.

Another surprise was Amari Burney getting a starting nod at linebacker over Mohamoud Diabate, who was expected to play alongside Ventrell Miller. Again, there should be some rotation there with multiple players getting extended time.

Avery Helm was given the starting nod across preseason All-American Kaiir Elam. Helm, a redshirt freshman, was thrust into the role when Jaydon Hill went down with an ACL tear. Freshman Jason Marshall was listed as Elam's backup and Missouri transfer Jadarrius Perkins is backing up Helm.

Sophomore Tre'Vez Johnson will get the nod at Star, while sophomore Rashad Torrence will start at safety.

There is one more battle for a starting job on the team and that's at kicker. Graduate seniors Jace Christmann and Chris Howard will continue their position battle into Saturday.

Again, Mullen was not keen on discussing the depth chart.

“Well, it’s Monday. So I have till Saturday at 7:30 to figure that out," Mullen said curtly when asked about his kickers.