Spring Practice info: another spring in the books for UF football

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SCColaGator

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Dec 31, 2016
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I don't see how bench pressing or a variation of bench pressing wouldn't be the base upper body exercise for football. It seems like it would help you out more at most positions than overhead presses or anything like that if you were limited to just one upper body exercise.
The thought on Over Head Press (OHP) over Bench is that in football when you are pushing someone you are never doing a bench press. The bench is perpendicular to the torso, therefore its max force is applied when the body is upright and the arms are outstretched. It essentially isolates the chest and front of the deltoid.

The OHP requires the use of your legs and torso to stabilize the weight. In essence you are pushing against gravity with your feet. Your arms are simply changing the distance from the ground. In the Bench you are using your back to press against the bench. Significant difference in surface area. This leads to better transference of power from your legs.

Final point is when you are pushing something in football your arms are almost always at an obtuse angle (because we almost always lean forward for leverage). Anything past perpendicular your shoulders become the primary driver of force. So why not maximize the strength of the shoulders?
 

Gator Fever

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Jun 13, 2014
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The thought on Over Head Press (OHP) over Bench is that in football when you are pushing someone you are never doing a bench press. The bench is perpendicular to the torso, therefore its max force is applied when the body is upright and the arms are outstretched. It essentially isolates the chest and front of the deltoid.

The OHP requires the use of your legs and torso to stabilize the weight. In essence you are pushing against gravity with your feet. Your arms are simply changing the distance from the ground. In the Bench you are using your back to press against the bench. Significant difference in surface area. This leads to better transference of power from your legs.

Final point is when you are pushing something in football your arms are almost always at an obtuse angle (because we almost always lean forward for leverage). Anything past perpendicular your shoulders become the primary driver of force. So why not maximize the strength of the shoulders?

Well my view would be the bench press is better than a seated overhead press at least and as long as squats etc. were part of your routine it would probably be the best upper body exercise. A standing overhead press is using the lower body a lot like you say.

It seemed a lot of top NFL linemen struggled with the standing overhead press compared to their bench press strength when they used to have those competitions years ago.
 

BMF

Bad Mother....
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Sep 8, 2014
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Spring Primer: Gators Offense
A look at the side of the ball Florida fans want to see improve drastically under new head coach Dan Mullen.


http://floridagators.com/news/2018/3/11/scott-carter-spring-primer-gators-offense.aspx

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Gators open spring practice on Friday and for the third time in eight years, a new coach is in charge of the Florida football program. The newness this time around has a much more familiar face than with Will Muschamp (2011) and Jim McElwain (2015).

Dan Mullen has nine seasons of experience as a head coach in the Southeastern Conference and prior to his stint at Mississippi State, he spent four seasons as Florida's offensive coordinator.

"I think there's certainly an advantage in having some knowledge and comfort from having been here before and understanding the expectations,'' Mullen said. "The familiarity can help the transition."

Florida fans hope so, nowhere more than on offense. Mullen left his mark on the Gators as a highly successful offensive coordinator and now seeks to do the same as head coach.

THREE STORYLINES

image_handler.aspx


1. Another spring camp, another quarterback battle for the Gators. Redshirt sophomore Feleipe Franks has the edge in experience with eight starts a season ago. Early enrollee Emory Jones figures into the mix and redshirt sophomore Kyle Trask and redshirt freshman Jake Allen will try and prove they can challenge for the job under a new coaching staff. Mullen also plans to take a look at receiver Kadarius Toney in wildcat packages. A lot of options in Year 1. Mullen and quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson now hope to see production.

2. A popular topic every spring is which players have made strides in the offseason conditioning program and which appear to have spent too much time at the local pizza joint. The interest in the Gators' conditioning this spring is unusually high because of the coaching change and implementation of a more intense approach in the weight room under Nick Savage. Does any strength coach in the country have a more appropriate surname? The Gators have been going hard since January and based on various social media posts from players, Savage's program has challenged them. The position group to watch the closest is the offensive line. As the late, great Keith Jackson might say, the big uglies up front are the ones who make or break an offense.

3. Mullen has a history of developing quarterbacks and adjusting his offense to fit the quarterback's strengths. Since Florida's group of quarterbacks offers a variety of skills, Mullen and his staff are in the discovery phase of what works best with the talent on hand. While they will work from a base system, a large emphasis will be identifying strengths at the position to build around over the summer and into fall camp.

RETURNING VET

image_handler.aspx


Jordan Scarlett was Florida's starting tailback in 2016 and led the team with 889 yards rushing and six touchdowns. Scarlett was primed for a big junior season until it was announced prior to the season opener that he was suspended indefinitely in connection to a credit card fraud case that ensnared nine players total.

Scarlett missed the season but was reinstated in January and has participated in spring workouts. The 5-foot-11, 206-pound Scarlett is a tough runner who separated himself at the position by the end of his sophomore season. While his role remains uncertain under Mullen, if healthy, look for Scarlett to factor prominently into the offense.
NEWCOMER ALERT

image_handler.aspx


A freshman from LaGrange, Ga., Jones was heavily courted by Ohio State and Florida State right up until the early signing period in December. However, Mullen and Johnson connected early with Jones while they were at Mississippi State and that played a pivotal role in the Gators landing the 6-foot-3, 195-pound quarterback.

Jones is an athletic talent who can beat defenses throwing or running. His biggest obstacle this spring is to get acclimated to the college game and a more complex offensive system that he ran at Heard County (Ga.) High. As the new quarterback in town, he's already a fan favorite. Now comes the part of finding out what he can do at the collegiate level.
INJURY ISSUES

image_handler.aspx

Sophomore running back Malik Davis (knee surgery) is the most prominent offensive player not at full speed entering spring camp. Davis continues to rehab from a season-ending knee injury against Georgia that spoiled another otherwise promising freshman season. He averaged 6.7 yards per carry and finished second on the team behind Lamical Perine with 526 yards.

Starting guard Brett Heggie (knee) and starting center T.J. McCoy (leg) ended last season out with injuries. Heggie is not expected to be at full speed until fall camp. How much McCoy is able to do remains unclear.
 

BMF

Bad Mother....
Lifetime Member
Sep 8, 2014
25,399
59,221
(continued):

POSITION TO WATCH
image_handler.aspx

Of course, this should be prefaced with after quarterbacks. Isn't that the case every spring when there is a quarterback battle? The offensive line figures to be a competitive battle with potential for a makeover despite six starters from a season ago returning.

Martez Ivey (left tackle), Heggie (left guard), McCoy (center), Tyler Jordan (right guard/center), Fred Johnson (right guard) and Jawaan Taylor (right tackle) provide new offensive line coach John Hevesy a strong foundation.

However, the offensive line continued to struggle a season ago despite McElwain's optimism in the unit at the start of the season. Ivey made a smart decision by opting to return to school. He's a talented player yet to fulfill his potential. Taylor is steady at the other tackle spot.

Redshirt sophomore Jean DeLance, who sat out last season after transferring from Texas, and redshirt junior Noah Banks, a transfer from Iowa Western College, are two newcomers to keep a close eye on this spring.


READY TO SHINE

image_handler.aspx

Redshirt senior tight end C'yontai Lewis stands 6-foot-4, 235 pounds. He's considered a capable blocker and caught 18 passes in 2016. Lewis had only seven catches for 42 yards and a touchdown last season.

Whatever the reasons, Lewis was not involved in Florida's offense as much as most expected a season ago. He definitely passes the eye test and was one of the eight Gators teammates voted to the team's offseason leadership council. Lewis is among a position group that also includes Moral Stephens, Kemore Gamble and true freshmen Kyle Pitts and Dante Lang. Perhaps tight ends coach Larry Scott and Mullen's offense can bring out the best in Lewis.
MYSTERY MEN


Embed from Getty Images


The availability of transfer receivers Trevon Grimes and Van Jefferson during the 2018 season remains unknown. Grimes (Ohio State) and Jefferson (Ole Miss) joined the program in January. Mullen reiterated during his recent speaking tour that the Gators continue to wait on a ruling from the NCAA.

Still, the Gators will get an idea of how they fit in during spring practice. Grimes (6-4, 202) is an impressive physical specimen who spent half a season with the Buckeyes last season before returning home to Florida for family medical concerns. Jefferson (6-2, 195) adds immediate experience to the roster with 99 career receptions in two seasons with the Rebels. If they are ruled eligible to play immediately, both should be immediate contributors.
DID YOU KNOW?
image_handler.aspx

In Mullen's four seasons as Florida's offensive coordinator from 2005-2008, the Gators averaged 373.4 yards per game in 2005, 396.1 in 2006, 457.2 in 2007 and 445.1 in 2008.

Meanwhile, in this decade the Gators have yet to average the number of total yards per game in Mullen's least productive offense at UF. The closest they have come was in 2014 (367.6 ypg) when Kurt Roper spent his only season as Florida's offensive coordinator.
QUOTE OF NOTE

image_handler.aspx


"We'll base ourselves, obviously, out of a spread offense, which is something I believe in. But my definition of a spread offense might be different than others. I want to spread the field to make sure you defend sideline-to-sideline the entire field. I want to make sure you defend all 11 guys that are out on the field and I want to put as much pressure on the defense as possible." – Mullen on his offensive philosophy
 

BMF

Bad Mother....
Lifetime Member
Sep 8, 2014
25,399
59,221
The 5 most intriguing players to watch when Florida opens spring practice

https://www.seccountry.com/florida/florida-football-spring-practice-players-watch-updates

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida is closing in on its much-anticipated, much-hyped first practice under Dan Mullen and this new coaching staff.

The buzz and excitement directed toward the start of spring practice on Friday makes it hard to remember that the Gators are coming off a 4-7 season with a still very uncertain quarterback situation.

That’s the instant impact Mullen has had in recharging this fan base. Now comes the more important work — making an impact on the roster that produced that 4-7 record (albeit with some unfavorable circumstances along the way).

Storylines abound as the Gators prepare for spring ball, with their first two practices Friday and Saturday open to the public.

There’s the annual renewal of the quarterback battle. There’s the transition to a new defensive style and all the corresponding questions and curiosities that has produced. There’s the intrigue to see how the tougher offseason strength and conditioning program has benefitted different individuals.

Meanwhile, here are the five most intriguing players to keep an eye on this spring.

5. Defensive back Chauncey Gardner
DSC_0110-1_zognvy.jpg

Junior defensive back Chauncey Gardner could be an option at safety or cornerback for the Gators in 2018. (Ryan Young/SEC Country)

Does junior Chauncey Gardner stay at safety? Does he move into the cornerback/nickel rotation? It will be interesting to see how he is utilized.

Gardner started at safety over the final few games of his freshman season and then throughout last fall, but he went through some much-discussed struggles with tackling, and the case could be made that he’s a more natural fit at corner.

He has terrific speed and instincts, as evidenced by his 5 career interceptions, and even when he was struggling as a tackler, there was a reason the former coaching staff remained committed to him as a key cog.

He will be one again, wherever he lines up, and the answer to the initial question may also be determined by how the rest of Florida’s young and mostly unproven safeties emerge.

4. Wide receiver Kadarius Toney
At each stop on Mullen’s recent pre-spring speaking tour, he was asked about whether sophomore Kadarius Toney would get any work at quarterback. By the third night, Mullen gave his strongest response yet on the matter, stating that if Toney wants to play, he needs to keep growing as a receiver.

That should settle that. While he was a high school quarterback, it was clear in the portions of spring practice open to reporters last year that Toney was not a consistent enough passer for this level.

But it was also clear throughout last fall that he is one of the Gators’ most exciting playmakers.

In discussing his plans for the speedy, shifty sophomore, Mullen has made comparisons to the way he used Percy Harvin on the Gators’ national championship teams last decade.

That should be enough to get everybody excited for Toney’s potential, even the fans who continue to think he needs to be playing quarterback.

3. Defensive end/outside linebacker CeCe Jefferson
Jefferson_zchbhx.png

Senior CeCe Jefferson will get work at both defensive end and outside linebacker for the Gators in 2018. (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Mullen and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham have stated they will cross-train a number of players at different positions to create flexibility and fully assess the best fits for their needs.

CeCe Jefferson is the only specific player who has been confirmed to get work at both defensive end and outside linebacker. He won’t be the only one, but he’s the most intriguing.

Jefferson made the somewhat surprising decision to hold off on the NFL draft and return for his senior season, but it could well prove to be a worthwhile move if he shows he can excel as a pass-rushing 3-4 outside linebacker in addition to what he’s put on tape as a 4-3 DE (4.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss, 6 quarterback hurries in 2017).

There is still plenty of unknowns about how Grantham will organize Florida’s defense, as he has said the Gators will use both three-down-linemen and four-down-linemen alignments and play to the strengths of the personnel.

But one way or another, Jefferson is key for this defense, and it will be fun to watch how he’s used.

2. Running back Jordan Scarlett
Suspended all of last season for his involvement in the Gators’ credit card fraud saga, Jordan Scarlett also made a somewhat surprising decision, opting to pursue reinstatement and a return to the program rather than take his chances in the draft.

He rejoined the team for workouts in January and instantly became the favorite to lead a deep and talented Florida backfield in 2018.

It remains to be seen what effect a year away from practice and games will have on him. New RBs coach Greg Knox suggested a few weeks ago that Scarlett was still trying to round back into form, but he admitted he didn’t know what to compare him to having not seen him play up close before.

Florida fans, though, will hope for the same Scarlett who rushed for 889 yards on 5.0 yards per carry in 2016, often making something out of nothing. He seemed primed to challenge for 1,000 yards last season before the suspension, but he’ll have to earn his place atop the depth chart with this new coaching staff.

Franks-Jones_bsfage.jpg

Redshirt sophomore Feleipe Franks, left, and freshman Emory Jones will be the favorites for Florida’s QB job in 2018. (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images and Chris Kirschner/SEC Country)

1. The quarterback(s)
Obviously, this is the top storyline of the spring (yet again) for the Gators.

Freshman early enrollee Emory Jones will be the fan favorite while redshirt sophomore incumbent Feleipe Franks looks to reclaim his starting job and make a strong impression on the new staff.

Redshirt sophomore Kyle Trask and redshirt freshman Jake Allen remain untested wild cards.

Mullen has made a point to praise Franks in his pre-spring comments, which could be both for the sake of helping Franks’ confidence while also protecting against the expectations fans will put on Jones.

Mullen has stated how important he feels it is to not give a freshman quarterback more than he can handle and bring them along at the right pace. For that reason, don’t expect anything to be handed to Jones, even if he is the presumed quarterback of the future, the highly touted dual-threat QB Mullen and Co. beat Alabama and Florida State for, etc.

It seems likely that the coaches will want to get Jones some valuable experience this year, while not totally throwing him into the fire.

Franks left a lot to be desired last season (1,438 passing yards, 9 TDs, 8 INTs), but he’ll get another chance to show he’s learned from those struggles.
 

BMF

Bad Mother....
Lifetime Member
Sep 8, 2014
25,399
59,221
Can Florida’s new staff produce better results with QB Feleipe Franks?

https://www.seccountry.com/florida/florida-quarterback-feleipe-franks-bounce-back-dan-mullen


We won’t know the answers to those questions for a couple years. It all depends on how quarterback Feleipe Franks develops under new Florida coach Dan Mullen and quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson.

If he wins the starting job this season and puts together a respective career, that poor performance in 2017 will be an aberration. But if the struggles continue under Mullen, Franks could be the issue.

It’s difficult to judge Franks or the previous staff based on last season’s results. The suspensions to running back Jordan Scarlett and wide receiver Antonio Callaway — along with myriad injuries — crippled the offense and took away help for Florida’s young quarterback.

With a year under his belt to learn the offense, many argue that Franks should have been more developed last season as a redshirt freshman. But given his lack of coaching in high school — no position coach, no offensive coordinator, no private trainer — it’s tough to put an expectation on where he should be in his progression.

His learning curve was a lot steeper coming into college than most quarterback recruits of his caliber. Former Gators offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier had success with quarterbacks at Alabama and Washington, but wasn’t able to develop one at Florida after the setbacks with Will Grier (PED suspension) and Luke Del Rio (season-ending injuries).

Despite being a Nussmeier recruit, Franks seemed to have trouble processing his playbook and looked lost at times. Perhaps Mullen and Co. can find the key to unlock Franks’ potential and build the offense around his strengths.
 

BMF

Bad Mother....
Lifetime Member
Sep 8, 2014
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This is from gatorbait's site. I didn't realize Riles is gone:


• Martez Ivey (senior; 6-5, 315)

• Brett Heggie (redshirt sophomore; 6-4, 330)

• T.J. McCoy (redshirt junior; 6-1, 314

• Fred Johnson (senior; 6-6, 330)

• Jawaan Taylor (junior; 6-5, 334)

• Tyler Jordan (senior; 6-4, 310)

• T.J. Moore (sophomore; 6-5, 305)

• Nick Buchanan (redshirt junior; 6-3, 283)

• Kavaris Harkless (redshirt senior; 6-4, 311)

• Stone Forsythe (redshirt sophomore, 6-7, 329)

• Chris Bleich (freshman early enrollee; 6-6, 305)

• Jean DeLance (redshirt sophomore; 6-5, 314)

• Noah Banks (redshirt junior transfer; 6-7, 305)

Out This Spring: Heggie, with an injury sustained in November 2017.

Arriving This Summer:

• Richard Gouraige (6-5, 271)

• Griffin McDowell (6-4, 280)

Departures:

• Antonio Riles (graduated)
 

MJMGator

Founding Member
Slightly amused
Lifetime Member
Jun 10, 2014
20,038
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Founding Member
Spring Primer: Gators Offense
A look at the side of the ball Florida fans want to see improve drastically under new head coach Dan Mullen.


http://floridagators.com/news/2018/3/11/scott-carter-spring-primer-gators-offense.aspx

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Gators open spring practice on Friday and for the third time in eight years, a new coach is in charge of the Florida football program. The newness this time around has a much more familiar face than with Will Muschamp (2011) and Jim McElwain (2015).

Dan Mullen has nine seasons of experience as a head coach in the Southeastern Conference and prior to his stint at Mississippi State, he spent four seasons as Florida's offensive coordinator.

"I think there's certainly an advantage in having some knowledge and comfort from having been here before and understanding the expectations,'' Mullen said. "The familiarity can help the transition."

Florida fans hope so, nowhere more than on offense. Mullen left his mark on the Gators as a highly successful offensive coordinator and now seeks to do the same as head coach.

THREE STORYLINES

image_handler.aspx


1. Another spring camp, another quarterback battle for the Gators. Redshirt sophomore Feleipe Franks has the edge in experience with eight starts a season ago. Early enrollee Emory Jones figures into the mix and redshirt sophomore Kyle Trask and redshirt freshman Jake Allen will try and prove they can challenge for the job under a new coaching staff. Mullen also plans to take a look at receiver Kadarius Toney in wildcat packages. A lot of options in Year 1. Mullen and quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson now hope to see production.

2. A popular topic every spring is which players have made strides in the offseason conditioning program and which appear to have spent too much time at the local pizza joint. The interest in the Gators' conditioning this spring is unusually high because of the coaching change and implementation of a more intense approach in the weight room under Nick Savage. Does any strength coach in the country have a more appropriate surname? The Gators have been going hard since January and based on various social media posts from players, Savage's program has challenged them. The position group to watch the closest is the offensive line. As the late, great Keith Jackson might say, the big uglies up front are the ones who make or break an offense.

3. Mullen has a history of developing quarterbacks and adjusting his offense to fit the quarterback's strengths. Since Florida's group of quarterbacks offers a variety of skills, Mullen and his staff are in the discovery phase of what works best with the talent on hand. While they will work from a base system, a large emphasis will be identifying strengths at the position to build around over the summer and into fall camp.

RETURNING VET

image_handler.aspx


Jordan Scarlett was Florida's starting tailback in 2016 and led the team with 889 yards rushing and six touchdowns. Scarlett was primed for a big junior season until it was announced prior to the season opener that he was suspended indefinitely in connection to a credit card fraud case that ensnared nine players total.

Scarlett missed the season but was reinstated in January and has participated in spring workouts. The 5-foot-11, 206-pound Scarlett is a tough runner who separated himself at the position by the end of his sophomore season. While his role remains uncertain under Mullen, if healthy, look for Scarlett to factor prominently into the offense.
NEWCOMER ALERT

image_handler.aspx


A freshman from LaGrange, Ga., Jones was heavily courted by Ohio State and Florida State right up until the early signing period in December. However, Mullen and Johnson connected early with Jones while they were at Mississippi State and that played a pivotal role in the Gators landing the 6-foot-3, 195-pound quarterback.

Jones is an athletic talent who can beat defenses throwing or running. His biggest obstacle this spring is to get acclimated to the college game and a more complex offensive system that he ran at Heard County (Ga.) High. As the new quarterback in town, he's already a fan favorite. Now comes the part of finding out what he can do at the collegiate level.
INJURY ISSUES

image_handler.aspx

Sophomore running back Malik Davis (knee surgery) is the most prominent offensive player not at full speed entering spring camp. Davis continues to rehab from a season-ending knee injury against Georgia that spoiled another otherwise promising freshman season. He averaged 6.7 yards per carry and finished second on the team behind Lamical Perine with 526 yards.

Starting guard Brett Heggie (knee) and starting center T.J. McCoy (leg) ended last season out with injuries. Heggie is not expected to be at full speed until fall camp. How much McCoy is able to do remains unclear.
Donkey’s...
 

MJMGator

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Slightly amused
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Jun 10, 2014
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Founding Member
(continued):

POSITION TO WATCH
image_handler.aspx

Of course, this should be prefaced with after quarterbacks. Isn't that the case every spring when there is a quarterback battle? The offensive line figures to be a competitive battle with potential for a makeover despite six starters from a season ago returning.

Martez Ivey (left tackle), Heggie (left guard), McCoy (center), Tyler Jordan (right guard/center), Fred Johnson (right guard) and Jawaan Taylor (right tackle) provide new offensive line coach John Hevesy a strong foundation.

However, the offensive line continued to struggle a season ago despite McElwain's optimism in the unit at the start of the season. Ivey made a smart decision by opting to return to school. He's a talented player yet to fulfill his potential. Taylor is steady at the other tackle spot.

Redshirt sophomore Jean DeLance, who sat out last season after transferring from Texas, and redshirt junior Noah Banks, a transfer from Iowa Western College, are two newcomers to keep a close eye on this spring.


READY TO SHINE

image_handler.aspx

Redshirt senior tight end C'yontai Lewis stands 6-foot-4, 235 pounds. He's considered a capable blocker and caught 18 passes in 2016. Lewis had only seven catches for 42 yards and a touchdown last season.

Whatever the reasons, Lewis was not involved in Florida's offense as much as most expected a season ago. He definitely passes the eye test and was one of the eight Gators teammates voted to the team's offseason leadership council. Lewis is among a position group that also includes Moral Stephens, Kemore Gamble and true freshmen Kyle Pitts and Dante Lang. Perhaps tight ends coach Larry Scott and Mullen's offense can bring out the best in Lewis.
MYSTERY MEN


Embed from Getty Images


The availability of transfer receivers Trevon Grimes and Van Jefferson during the 2018 season remains unknown. Grimes (Ohio State) and Jefferson (Ole Miss) joined the program in January. Mullen reiterated during his recent speaking tour that the Gators continue to wait on a ruling from the NCAA.

Still, the Gators will get an idea of how they fit in during spring practice. Grimes (6-4, 202) is an impressive physical specimen who spent half a season with the Buckeyes last season before returning home to Florida for family medical concerns. Jefferson (6-2, 195) adds immediate experience to the roster with 99 career receptions in two seasons with the Rebels. If they are ruled eligible to play immediately, both should be immediate contributors.
DID YOU KNOW?
image_handler.aspx

In Mullen's four seasons as Florida's offensive coordinator from 2005-2008, the Gators averaged 373.4 yards per game in 2005, 396.1 in 2006, 457.2 in 2007 and 445.1 in 2008.

Meanwhile, in this decade the Gators have yet to average the number of total yards per game in Mullen's least productive offense at UF. The closest they have come was in 2014 (367.6 ypg) when Kurt Roper spent his only season as Florida's offensive coordinator.
QUOTE OF NOTE

image_handler.aspx


"We'll base ourselves, obviously, out of a spread offense, which is something I believe in. But my definition of a spread offense might be different than others. I want to spread the field to make sure you defend sideline-to-sideline the entire field. I want to make sure you defend all 11 guys that are out on the field and I want to put as much pressure on the defense as possible." – Mullen on his offensive philosophy
gonna...
 

MJMGator

Founding Member
Slightly amused
Lifetime Member
Jun 10, 2014
20,038
41,114
Founding Member
The 5 most intriguing players to watch when Florida opens spring practice

https://www.seccountry.com/florida/florida-football-spring-practice-players-watch-updates

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida is closing in on its much-anticipated, much-hyped first practice under Dan Mullen and this new coaching staff.

The buzz and excitement directed toward the start of spring practice on Friday makes it hard to remember that the Gators are coming off a 4-7 season with a still very uncertain quarterback situation.

That’s the instant impact Mullen has had in recharging this fan base. Now comes the more important work — making an impact on the roster that produced that 4-7 record (albeit with some unfavorable circumstances along the way).

Storylines abound as the Gators prepare for spring ball, with their first two practices Friday and Saturday open to the public.

There’s the annual renewal of the quarterback battle. There’s the transition to a new defensive style and all the corresponding questions and curiosities that has produced. There’s the intrigue to see how the tougher offseason strength and conditioning program has benefitted different individuals.

Meanwhile, here are the five most intriguing players to keep an eye on this spring.

5. Defensive back Chauncey Gardner
DSC_0110-1_zognvy.jpg

Junior defensive back Chauncey Gardner could be an option at safety or cornerback for the Gators in 2018. (Ryan Young/SEC Country)

Does junior Chauncey Gardner stay at safety? Does he move into the cornerback/nickel rotation? It will be interesting to see how he is utilized.

Gardner started at safety over the final few games of his freshman season and then throughout last fall, but he went through some much-discussed struggles with tackling, and the case could be made that he’s a more natural fit at corner.

He has terrific speed and instincts, as evidenced by his 5 career interceptions, and even when he was struggling as a tackler, there was a reason the former coaching staff remained committed to him as a key cog.

He will be one again, wherever he lines up, and the answer to the initial question may also be determined by how the rest of Florida’s young and mostly unproven safeties emerge.

4. Wide receiver Kadarius Toney
At each stop on Mullen’s recent pre-spring speaking tour, he was asked about whether sophomore Kadarius Toney would get any work at quarterback. By the third night, Mullen gave his strongest response yet on the matter, stating that if Toney wants to play, he needs to keep growing as a receiver.

That should settle that. While he was a high school quarterback, it was clear in the portions of spring practice open to reporters last year that Toney was not a consistent enough passer for this level.

But it was also clear throughout last fall that he is one of the Gators’ most exciting playmakers.

In discussing his plans for the speedy, shifty sophomore, Mullen has made comparisons to the way he used Percy Harvin on the Gators’ national championship teams last decade.

That should be enough to get everybody excited for Toney’s potential, even the fans who continue to think he needs to be playing quarterback.

3. Defensive end/outside linebacker CeCe Jefferson
Jefferson_zchbhx.png

Senior CeCe Jefferson will get work at both defensive end and outside linebacker for the Gators in 2018. (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Mullen and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham have stated they will cross-train a number of players at different positions to create flexibility and fully assess the best fits for their needs.

CeCe Jefferson is the only specific player who has been confirmed to get work at both defensive end and outside linebacker. He won’t be the only one, but he’s the most intriguing.

Jefferson made the somewhat surprising decision to hold off on the NFL draft and return for his senior season, but it could well prove to be a worthwhile move if he shows he can excel as a pass-rushing 3-4 outside linebacker in addition to what he’s put on tape as a 4-3 DE (4.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss, 6 quarterback hurries in 2017).

There is still plenty of unknowns about how Grantham will organize Florida’s defense, as he has said the Gators will use both three-down-linemen and four-down-linemen alignments and play to the strengths of the personnel.

But one way or another, Jefferson is key for this defense, and it will be fun to watch how he’s used.

2. Running back Jordan Scarlett
Suspended all of last season for his involvement in the Gators’ credit card fraud saga, Jordan Scarlett also made a somewhat surprising decision, opting to pursue reinstatement and a return to the program rather than take his chances in the draft.

He rejoined the team for workouts in January and instantly became the favorite to lead a deep and talented Florida backfield in 2018.

It remains to be seen what effect a year away from practice and games will have on him. New RBs coach Greg Knox suggested a few weeks ago that Scarlett was still trying to round back into form, but he admitted he didn’t know what to compare him to having not seen him play up close before.

Florida fans, though, will hope for the same Scarlett who rushed for 889 yards on 5.0 yards per carry in 2016, often making something out of nothing. He seemed primed to challenge for 1,000 yards last season before the suspension, but he’ll have to earn his place atop the depth chart with this new coaching staff.

Franks-Jones_bsfage.jpg

Redshirt sophomore Feleipe Franks, left, and freshman Emory Jones will be the favorites for Florida’s QB job in 2018. (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images and Chris Kirschner/SEC Country)

1. The quarterback(s)
Obviously, this is the top storyline of the spring (yet again) for the Gators.

Freshman early enrollee Emory Jones will be the fan favorite while redshirt sophomore incumbent Feleipe Franks looks to reclaim his starting job and make a strong impression on the new staff.

Redshirt sophomore Kyle Trask and redshirt freshman Jake Allen remain untested wild cards.

Mullen has made a point to praise Franks in his pre-spring comments, which could be both for the sake of helping Franks’ confidence while also protecting against the expectations fans will put on Jones.

Mullen has stated how important he feels it is to not give a freshman quarterback more than he can handle and bring them along at the right pace. For that reason, don’t expect anything to be handed to Jones, even if he is the presumed quarterback of the future, the highly touted dual-threat QB Mullen and Co. beat Alabama and Florida State for, etc.

It seems likely that the coaches will want to get Jones some valuable experience this year, while not totally throwing him into the fire.

Franks left a lot to be desired last season (1,438 passing yards, 9 TDs, 8 INTs), but he’ll get another chance to show he’s learned from those struggles.
be...
 

MJMGator

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Can Florida’s new staff produce better results with QB Feleipe Franks?

https://www.seccountry.com/florida/florida-quarterback-feleipe-franks-bounce-back-dan-mullen


We won’t know the answers to those questions for a couple years. It all depends on how quarterback Feleipe Franks develops under new Florida coach Dan Mullen and quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson.

If he wins the starting job this season and puts together a respective career, that poor performance in 2017 will be an aberration. But if the struggles continue under Mullen, Franks could be the issue.

It’s difficult to judge Franks or the previous staff based on last season’s results. The suspensions to running back Jordan Scarlett and wide receiver Antonio Callaway — along with myriad injuries — crippled the offense and took away help for Florida’s young quarterback.

With a year under his belt to learn the offense, many argue that Franks should have been more developed last season as a redshirt freshman. But given his lack of coaching in high school — no position coach, no offensive coordinator, no private trainer — it’s tough to put an expectation on where he should be in his progression.

His learning curve was a lot steeper coming into college than most quarterback recruits of his caliber. Former Gators offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier had success with quarterbacks at Alabama and Washington, but wasn’t able to develop one at Florida after the setbacks with Will Grier (PED suspension) and Luke Del Rio (season-ending injuries).

Despite being a Nussmeier recruit, Franks seemed to have trouble processing his playbook and looked lost at times. Perhaps Mullen and Co. can find the key to unlock Franks’ potential and build the offense around his strengths.
pissed! :lol:
 

Swamp Donkey

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Who wrote this garbage article? Nothing this guy ever writes again has any validity. Ever.
Bowl doesnt know shyt about football, but that's the the Sun wants it.
 

BMF

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Really? Pretty sure he roomed with Percy at one point.

He was/is eligible to play this year. Not sure why he'd leave, unless he was encouraged to. He's an OL w/ starting experience. IMO, he's a better option than Buchanan, Mike, and maybe 2 or 3 others.
 

soflagator

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He was/is eligible to play this year. Not sure why he'd leave, unless he was encouraged to. He's an OL w/ starting experience. IMO, he's a better option than Buchanan, Mike, and maybe 2 or 3 others.

No argument on your last point. It just feels like he’s been here forever.
 

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