The sixth in a position-by-position look at the 2026 Gators leading up to fall camp:
Read more National Guard members on patrol in Memphis fatally shoot man during pursuit, police say
TODAY: INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINE
What to expect
The Gators spent most of 2025 without future first-round pick Caleb Banks, their interior anchor who appeared in just three games because of injuries. But Banks’ absence laid the foundation for the future, allowing Baylor transfer Brendan Bett and true freshmen Joseph Mbatchou and Jeremiah McCloud to find their footing.
The talented trio will lead the way in 2026, while redshirt junior Jamari Lyons aims to be at full speed after a devastating leg injury during fall camp in 2024.
Transfers DK Kalu (Baylor) and Mason Clinton (Southern Miss) bring experience and solid production at their previous stops.
A force throughout spring practices, the 6-foot-4, 312-pound Bett is poised to break out after beginning the 2025 season on his heels. Ejected for spitting during a critical moment of a stunning 18-16 loss to USF in Week 2, Bett eventually redeemed himself through contrition and dependable performances the rest of the season, finishing with 39 tackles, including three sacks.
The physical 6-foot-5 Mbatchou, who 11 tackles in 2025, packed on nearly 25 pounds of muscle, to 323 pounds, in order to handle the demands at nose tackle. Fellow sophomore Jeremiah McCloud (6-3, 299) is instinctive and active up front. He looks to build on a 13-tackle first season.
Read more Orlando Sentinel 150: Monday Memory of when Mrs. Liberty became a citizen
The 6-foot-4, 311-pound Lyons was poised to have a major impact in 2024 after he drew his own unsportsmanlike penalty for spitting against FSU in 2023. But he shattered his left ankle during the opening week of fall camp. Lyons recorded 18 tackles in 2025, but lacked the explosiveness and promise he’d shown previous to his injury.
The 6-foot-3, 308-pound Kalu hopes to match Betts’ ability to transition from the Big 12 to the SEC. At Baylor, he tallied 10 tackles and four hurries during eight appearances last season.
The 6-foot-5, 290-pound Clinton, who began his career in 2024 at Mississippi Community College, played in 12 games in 2025 at Southern Miss. He made 16 tackles, including 1.5 for-loss, while recording a quarterback hurry and pass breakup.
Meanwhile, true freshman Kendall Guervil aims to make an impact similar to Mbactchou and McCloud. The 6-foot-5, 329-pound Fort Myers native was a 4-star prospect who tallied 88 stops, including 12 for loss, in 2024, but made seven tackles during last season’s season opener before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
Returners
Brendan Bett, redshirt junior
Jamair Lyons, redshirt junior
Joseph Mbatchou, sophomore
Jeremiah McCloud, sophomore
Sebastian Scott, redshirt junior
Departures
Michai Boireau (transfer Ole Miss): 20 tackles, two for loss
Tarvorise Brown (transfer UNC): four tackles
Brien Taylor Jr. (eligbility): 15 tackles, three for loss (two sacks), two hurries
Read more Local Moving Hawaii: Strategic Island Relocation, Technical Logistics, and Efficiency
Arrivals
Mason Clinton (redshirt junior; transfer Southern Miss)
DK Kalu (redshirt junior; transfer Baylor)
Previous
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive line
Edgar Thompson can be reached at [email protected]