- Sep 8, 2014
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Good story on the OL, w/ some quotes from the head coach:
http://florida.247sports.com/Bolt/M...160519_111224_Florida Gators&utm_content=Link
Florida coach Jim McElwain had some serious holes on the offensive line when he walked into the job in Gainesville, but he's done his best to patch them up since.
He started three true freshmen at various points last year, and he believes he now has a much better unit. Getting leadership from some players who are now third- and fourth-year players has been huge for the group.
"I think it starts with us, obviously, our left tackle David Sharpe growing up and becoming a leader," McElwain told Sports Illustrated in an interview broadcast live on Facebook. "He's a guy that's as talented as any offensive lineman in college football, and he had a really good spring. Watching him carry that through the summer and how he affects the people around him in a positive way is something we're really looking forward to."
Sharpe will be heading up a group that still needs to make some major strides this summer. There are still a handful of unknowns, including who will round out the starting rotation both inside and at right tackle.
Along with Sharpe at left tackle, freshman Tyler Jordan seems to have cemented his spot at guard. Meanwhile, center Cameron Dillard was battling with redshirt freshman T.J. McCoy for the starting job, while left guard Antonio Riles was being pushed by a number of players.
The right side was perhaps most problematic in the spring, though. Talented 6-foot-6 tackle Fredrick Johnson is still extremely raw. He may well be pushed for his starting spot by equally athletic prospect Martez Ivey, who was limited by injuries in his true freshman campaign, where he played left guard.
"Martez will be back, obviously Tyler Jordan and Fred Johnson who were all three true freshmen last year that had to play probably a little earlier than we wanted and yet, valuable lessons learned," McElwain said. "To see the communication in that group is something that has gotten better."
Regardless, McElwain knows his offense won't truly be able to thrive until the offensive line is up to snuff.
The good news?
The Gators should be set for the next few years with a young core that has now gotten plenty of valuable experience. It's just a matter of a young unit growing up and going from shaky to serviceable to strong.
One step at a time.
"Look, it doesn't matter what coach you're talking to, it all starts up front, both offense and defensive lines," McElwain said. "We're a little bit better at O-line than we were a year ago."
http://florida.247sports.com/Bolt/M...160519_111224_Florida Gators&utm_content=Link
Florida coach Jim McElwain had some serious holes on the offensive line when he walked into the job in Gainesville, but he's done his best to patch them up since.
He started three true freshmen at various points last year, and he believes he now has a much better unit. Getting leadership from some players who are now third- and fourth-year players has been huge for the group.
"I think it starts with us, obviously, our left tackle David Sharpe growing up and becoming a leader," McElwain told Sports Illustrated in an interview broadcast live on Facebook. "He's a guy that's as talented as any offensive lineman in college football, and he had a really good spring. Watching him carry that through the summer and how he affects the people around him in a positive way is something we're really looking forward to."
Sharpe will be heading up a group that still needs to make some major strides this summer. There are still a handful of unknowns, including who will round out the starting rotation both inside and at right tackle.
Along with Sharpe at left tackle, freshman Tyler Jordan seems to have cemented his spot at guard. Meanwhile, center Cameron Dillard was battling with redshirt freshman T.J. McCoy for the starting job, while left guard Antonio Riles was being pushed by a number of players.
The right side was perhaps most problematic in the spring, though. Talented 6-foot-6 tackle Fredrick Johnson is still extremely raw. He may well be pushed for his starting spot by equally athletic prospect Martez Ivey, who was limited by injuries in his true freshman campaign, where he played left guard.
"Martez will be back, obviously Tyler Jordan and Fred Johnson who were all three true freshmen last year that had to play probably a little earlier than we wanted and yet, valuable lessons learned," McElwain said. "To see the communication in that group is something that has gotten better."
Regardless, McElwain knows his offense won't truly be able to thrive until the offensive line is up to snuff.
The good news?
The Gators should be set for the next few years with a young core that has now gotten plenty of valuable experience. It's just a matter of a young unit growing up and going from shaky to serviceable to strong.
One step at a time.
"Look, it doesn't matter what coach you're talking to, it all starts up front, both offense and defensive lines," McElwain said. "We're a little bit better at O-line than we were a year ago."
