Depth Chart & Position Changes

[BMF]

Here's a story from 247 on the post NSD offensive depth chart:

http://florida.247sports.com/Bolt/Projecting-the-Post-NSD-Depth-Chart-Offense-51143503

They project WR Kalif Jackson to move to TE. Looking at this depth chart, w/ the loss of Worton at WR and Jackson moving to TE, we're actually a little thin at the WR position - if we have some injuries.

Also, this is just the offensive depth chart but I'd really like to see Riles and/or Buchanan moved to DT. Those two just look like they are not going to be in the top 5, possibly top 10 but maybe not. Why not try them out at DT? We literally only have 3 DT's on the roster right now (and one is the true freshman).

Looks like Ivey is moving from G to T also.

From the article:


GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- With National Signing Day in the books and spring practice just 22 days away, GatorBait.net opens its look at the 2017 edition of the Florida Gators. Today, we preview the projected offensive depth chart heading into spring practice.

QUARTERBACK

Projected Depth Chart:

Feleipe Franks, RFR
Kyle Trask, RFR
Jake Allen, FR
Kadarius Toney, FR
Luke Del Rio, RJR (shoulder surgery)

Overview: Franks enters the spring as the presumed leader for the starting job, but make no mistake about it. This is an open competition for the job. Trask and Franks figure to battle it out for the lead heading into the offseason, with Del Rio sidelined for spring after undergoing shoulder surgery. We have no idea quite how Toney fits in just yet, but expect the majority of the reps this spring to go to Franks and Trask. Allen likely enters the mix when he arrives in the summer, but it'd be a surprise to see him vie for real playing time in 2017.

What Needs To Happen: From what we've seen of Franks, his accuracy has been erratic and his decision-making suspect. He needs to become more comfortable in the pocket and play much more under control. Trask has looked good in the limited viewings we've seen in terms of accuracy and decision-making, but he needs a better grasp of the full playbook and a better handle on commanding the full offense. Those two players improving those areas of weakness are massively important this spring.

RUNNING BACK

Projected Depth Chart:

Jordan Scarlett, JR
Lamical Perine, SO
Adarius Lemons, FR
Mark Thompson, RSR
Malik Davis, FR

Overview: The running back depth chart should be relatively set heading into spring, and it's unlikely we see much movement based on spring practice. The Florida coaching staff knows what it has in all three players already. Now it's about developing and improving. Scarlett and Perine are 1A and 1B, while Thompson's the one who will have to make up ground to earn more touches in 2017. But once Lemons and Davis are on campus, we could see some shakeups. Both are extremely talented backs.

What Needs To Happen: Pass blocking, pass blocking, pass blocking. Florida's biggest weakness at the running back position last fall was the failure to pass block consistently. In particular, Scarlett really struggled in that area and it made the Florida offense too predictable. Scarlett really needs to make major strides in that area this spring, and it wouldn't hurt if Perine and Thompson also improved there.

WIDE RECEIVER

Projected Depth Chart:

X Receiver
Tyrie Cleveland, SO
James Robinson, FR
Rick Wells, RFR

Z Receiver
Antonio Callaway, JR
Joshua Hammond, SO
Daquon Green, FR

Y Receiver (Slot)
Brandon Powell, SR
Freddie Swain, SO
Dre Massey, SR* (returning from torn ACL)

* Eligible for a medical redshirt for 2016.

Overview: If Massey isn't able to go, and it's unlikely he'll be cleared for full contact yet, the receiver position is a little thin heading into spring practice. Still, the starters are more or less known at this point. Whether guys like Swain, Hammond or Wells can push into bigger roles is the most interesting thing at the position heading into the spring. Those three are vying for fourth or fifth in the receiver rotation next fall, most likely. Meanwhile, when Robinson arrives on campus in the summer, he'll have a chance to immediately push into that mix himself. He's too talented to keep off the field.

What Needs To Happen: The biggest thing we'd like to see at receiver this spring is Cleveland taking a big step forward. He's got the potential to be a very explosive complement to Callaway, so learning the full playbook so the staff can utilize him on more than just go routes is a must. We'd also like to see Swain, Hammond or Wells take a big step forward. All three are capable of becoming significant contributors, with Wells an intriguing guy to keep an eye on thanks to his hands and size.

 

[BMF]

Part 2 (it was too long for one post):

TIGHT END

Projected Depth Chart:

DeAndre Goolsby, SR
C'yontai Lewis, RJR
Camrin Knight, JR
Moral Stephens, RJR
Kalif Jackson, RSO
Kemore Gamble, FR

Overview: It's hard to see many shakeups in the depth chart at the top based on spring practice, but Gamble will definitely have a chance to jump some of the others with a strong spring. There hasn't been enough production from this position, and the Gators really need a player to emerge who can both block and be a threat in the passing game. There are too many one-dimensional players at the position.

What Needs To Happen: Goolsby really needs to improve as a blocker, but that's something that'll come more from another full offseason of strength and conditioning rather than spring practice. Lewis needs to spend plenty of time with the JUGS machine. We project Jackson to move from receiver to tight end after bulking up, and if his hands have improved he could be an interesting option. Gamble needs to learn as much as he can this spring to get the coaches comfortable with the idea of him playing next fall.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Projected Depth Chart:

Left Tackle
Martez Ivey, JR
Kavaris Harkless, RJR
Kadeem Telfort, FR

Left Guard
Tyler Jordan, JR
Brandon Sandifer, RSO
Antonio Riles, RSR (returning from torn ACL)

Center
T.J. McCoy, RSO
Brett Heggie, RFR

Right Guard
Fredrick Johnson, JR
Richerd Desir-Jones, RSO
T.J. Moore, FR
Nick Buchanan, RSO

Right Tackle
Jawaan Taylor, SO
Andrew Mike, RJR
Stone Forsythe, RFR

Overview: The numbers on the offensive line are excellent heading into the spring, with at least two players at each position now. The key spots to watch will likely be left tackle and left guard. We're projecting Ivey to slide out to tackle with Jordan filling in at left guard. The other starting spots appear to be relatively set, although there could still be some movement at the right guard spot.

What Needs To Happen: Ivey getting comfortable at left tackle will be the big key, as that's the only position in the starting five that features an opening. Florida's biggest task is getting a third or even a fourth player capable of playing tackle in a pinch. Harkless actually looked better during 2016 than we've seen to date, which is encouraging. Getting Telfort involved early and often to see how much he can handle will be key.

 

[Gatorraid81]

Spring ball starts at the end of February right?

 

[GatorJ]

OL and WR look really solid.

 

[divits]

So Trask and Franks will have been around for a year come spring. Shouldn't they have a pretty good "grasp of the full playbook" and have a "better handle on commanding the full offense" by now? o_O

 

[GatorJ]

So Trask and Franks will have been around for a year come spring. Shouldn't they have a pretty good "grasp of the full playbook" and have a "better handle on commanding the full offense" by now? o_O

Yeah. None of this even matters if we don't have anybody that can throw the ball.

 

[LighthouseGator]

Spring ball starts at the end of February right?

I thought so. Apparently last year it began on March 9th, FWIW.

 

[LighthouseGator]

Yeah. None of this even matters if we don't have anybody that can throw the ball.

Agreed. But with Callaway and Cleveland providing matchup problems on the outside, there is no damn excuse not to have an effective passing game.

 

[gatormandan]

Agreed. But with Callaway and Cleveland providing matchup problems on the outside, there is no damn excuse not to have an effective passing game.

If we can just find a QB that isnt afraid to let go of the ball before the receiver is standing alone waving their hands.

 

[URGatorBait]

Agreed. But with Callaway and Cleveland providing matchup problems on the outside, there is no damn excuse not to have an effective passing game.

on paper, the pieces on offense look pretty good, but we don't play games on paper

I'm hopeful that the o-line holds up this year and has grown. WR position looks good, with some decent depth even, then throw in TE position on top of it (though gools needs to block better) and you have the makings of a solid offense.
The giant question mark is what happens at QB.
To be honest, we need Franks to step up in a big way. I certainly hope he's ready. Looking forward to seeing how they all do in spring. Hopefully it turns out to be a real competition, as that can only make every one of them better. Except LDR, he's a lost cause.

 

[LighthouseGator]

If we can just find a QB that isnt afraid to let go of the ball before the receiver is standing alone waving their hands.

It's as obvious a problem as recruiting was in the run up to NSD. Mac got his act together then, hopefully he will apply the same urgency to the QB spot.

 

[LighthouseGator]

on paper, the pieces on offense look pretty good, but we don't play games on paper

"We", as in the GCMB, do exactly that. ;)

I'm hopeful that the o-line holds up this year and has grown. WR position looks good, with some decent depth even, then throw in TE position on top of it (though gools needs to block better) and you have the makings of a solid offense.
The giant question mark is what happens at QB.
To be honest, we need Franks to step up in a big way. I certainly hope he's ready. Looking forward to seeing how they all do in spring. Hopefully it turns out to be a real competition, as that can only make every one of them better. Except LDR, he's a lost cause.

I am also looking forward to spring ball and the reports on the QBs progress. This appears to the most wide open battle in years (b/w Franks and Trask). Hopefully one of the two really separates.

 

[maheo30]

When it comes to the QB situation, no one has seen enough of Trask or Franks to know which one is better right now. I don't trust anything the coaches say. Remember Treon/Grier? Both QBs have their pros and cons. We'll have to wait until the fall to see a winner.

 

[GR8 2B]

OL and WR look really solid.

RB, too.

 

[GatorJB]

Honestly, I think this could be one of the top offenses in the conference if we had a good QB. Unfortunately, the QB position is frightening so I won't keep my hopes up.

 

[Gator98MD]

What happens if Luke is the starter ?

 

[BMF]

What happens if Luke is the starter ?

 

[Gator Fever]

When it comes to the QB situation, no one has seen enough of Trask or Franks to know which one is better right now. I don't trust anything the coaches say. Remember Treon/Grier? Both QBs have their pros and cons. We'll have to wait until the fall to see a winner.

True - but what has some people worried about Franks so much is what he has shown since moving on from his high school team. He definitely has the physical tools but does he have it upstairs?

 

[ThreatMatrix]

What happens if Luke is the starter ?

Forty years of darkness. Earthquakes, volcanoes… The dead rising from the grave. Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together – mass hysteria.

 

[URGatorBait]

What happens if Luke is the starter ?

Somebody gonna have to die.