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* Take Five: Florida's 2017 spring in review
* 2017 Orange & Blue Debut: In-Depth Offensive Observations
* 2017 Orange & Blue Debut: In-Depth Defensive Observations
* Five O&B Debut Takeaways: Toney a dynamic playmaker
* Franks exits spring ahead in the quarterback race
* SPRING PRACTICE HEADQUARTERS
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For Florida fans, the 2017 Orange & Blue Debut was their first opportunity to catch redshirt freshman linebacker Jeremiah Moon play significant snaps on defense in The Swamp.
After all, Moon appeared in just two games during his first season as a Gator, logging a combined three tackles in both appearances but seeing most of his action on special teams. Moon looked poised to avoid a redshirt and potentially play a role in the rotation as a true freshman, but in the first month of the 2016 season he suffered a thumb injury that would soon require surgery.
"It was about the third week and we were doing a pass rushing drill or a turnover drill,” Moon recalls. “I went down to scoop the ball up. I was about to fall and I was trying to catch myself. I felt it pop. I felt it before but I thought it was jammed and then it started swelling up. I knew something was wrong."
Eventually, Moon would return to practice, but the injury would lead to Moon sitting out of games the remainder of the season and redshirting in his first year on campus.
"It was a humbling experience because you never know when it can be taken away from you,” Moon said. “I guess when I got back, I was on the scout team and playing against the ones. It made me better, so everything works out.
“It’s really, cherish every moment you have out there. I’m all right now. It’s a new year, so I’m ready to get out there.”
Fully available this spring, Moon worked with the 2’s on defense at strongside linebacker. An impressive athlete who can rush the passer and who has the speed to cover receivers well downfield, Moon is capable of serving in a hybrid role for new defensive coordinator Randy Shannon’s group that’ll also see him working some at nickel.
“I'm playing mostly Sam, but if the nickel is not in the game, I'll be the cover guy,” Moon said. “It's just whatever he calls, regular or nickel. I mean, I'll go out there and cover. The coaches have a little bit of faith in me."
That versatility is something that Moon’s teammates have taken notice to.
“The guy’s athletic. He’s a freak,” sophomore cornerback Chauncey Gardner said. “Last year we didn’t see it because of the injury but this year Jeremiah is definitely going to be a factor. He’s a great player. He can cover, he can also come off the edge. And he can also get off blocks, that’s the key playing in the SEC.”
Added walk-on linebacker Cristian Garcia: “Moon’s a real good player. He would have played last year if he didn’t get hurt. It’s been an easy transition for him. He knows what he’s doing. He’s a versatile guy. He can rush the passer, he can cover receivers out there in the slot, or play inside. He’s a real asset.”
The big challenge for the 6-foot-4 Moon in the coming months prior to fall camp in August will be gaining weight. Moon has made progress on that end since arriving in Gainesville last summer, as he currently weighs 228 pounds. However, Moon’s goal is to reach the 240 mark.
“I mean, I know I can get bigger. They’ve been trying to put weight on me forever,” Moon said. “I’m still young, so I guess this offseason and in summer workouts, but we’ll see what happens. … They want me – at one point I had 235, but they probably want me around 240.”
Moon impressed in Florida’s spring game last Friday night playing often against the 1’s on offense, logging five tackles (four solo) and a pass breakup. One of Moon’s most impressive plays came in the first quarter, when he stopped running back Mark Thompson short on a 2-yard rush with a bruising hit.
It’s those types of plays from Moon that impressed his coaches and teammates this spring, which was an overall step in the right direction for the promising redshirt freshman. However, Moon still feels he has room to improve.
"Well, to me, I felt like I could have had a better spring just because I was trying to get in the groove of things,” Moon said. “I need to prove that I'm here to do what I'm here to do and what they recruited me for."
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