Spring Preview: Expect a volatile O-line depth chart
GatorBait.net breaks down the offensive line picture heading into spring ball. Expect a volatile depth chart as the Gators look to find the right combinations up front.
https://florida.247sports.com/Bolt/...xpect-a-volatile-O-line-depth-chart-116017673
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida players are on spring break this week, taking a bit of time off between a grueling stretch of strength and conditioning and the beginning of spring practice. With spring ball set to begin on March 16, GatorBait.net takes a look at each position to provide you with our three top questions, how we think the depth chart will turn out following spring ball and more.
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Offensive Line
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THREE KEY QUESTIONS
*** Who plays where?
This is by far the biggest question on the offensive line, particularly after Florida added three new signees who all probably ideally fit better at tackle than guard. But even with five returning starters, it's certainly no guarantee that everyone plays in the same spot with a new coach. Of most interest will be where talented tackle
Martez Ivey, who has underperformed expectations to date, ends up lining up. If Ivey moves inside to guard and Florida can get good play from another tackle, the line could be considerably upgraded next fall. Guard has been a weak spot, so don't be surprised if the coaches move some guys around to see if they can shore up that weakness.
*** How much have the abbreviated winter workouts helped the unit?
We won't get a better feel for this until later in the spring, if at all, given the fact that the line will be competing against a defensive front doing some shifting and replacing its top player. But one of the major knocks on the offensive line over the past few years has been its lack of a mean streak. In simpler terms, that usually just means the individual players aren't particularly strong. And certainly given all the complaints about the strength and conditioning program that emerged at the end of the
Jim McElwain era, that could be the case. Has Nick Savage's new strength and conditioning program already made a tangible difference in the play up front? It'll be hard to gauge early in spring as there isn't much contact early on and the line will still be learning the new system. Later in the spring we might get a better feel for that.
*** How much will scheme alone help improve the run game?
Florida won't try to get too carried away with creativity in the run game, but there's little doubt Dan Mullen's system is effective creating favorable boxes for the power run game. He spreads the field to create favorable numbers in the box, leaving the defense forced to win one-on-one matchups in order to effectively counter the read option. That alone should create some more creases for the run game, which will help improve the performance of the offensive line from a statistical standpoint, even if there isn't a huge leap in terms of actual quality on the unit from 2017 to 2018. In short, the running game will be made easier by the team's new scheme. That should be apparent this spring.
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HOW WE PROJECT THE POST-SPRING DEPTH CHART
Left Tackle:
Jean Delance, RSO
T.J. Moore, RFR
Chris Bleich, FR
Left Guard:
Martez Ivey, SR
Tyler Jordan, SR
Kavaris Harkless, RSR
Center:
T.J. McCoy, RJR
Tyler Jordan, SR
Right Guard:
Fredrick Johnson, SR
Nick Buchanan, RJR
Andrew Mike, RSR
Right Tackle:
Jawaan Taylor, JR
Noah Banks, RJR
Stone Forsythe, RSO
Explanation: This is by far the toughest unit to project of the ones we've covered so far. Our thinking here is that Ivey's film at guard is better than at tackle in his Florida career, and seeing the athleticism he has as a pulling guard, the coaches opt to see if they can get someone else to emerge at tackle so they can slide Ivey inside. Delance could also probably play guard, so it'll be interesting to see if he and Ivey flip in our projections. Moore is the guy we think is most likely to push for a starting spot outside of our listed starters here, while Jordan could also nudge McCoy out of the starting center role. None of those moves would surprise us.
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WHAT WE WANT TO SEE
There's a danger in thinking that just because most of these offensive linemen are veterans we know where their ceiling is; a new strength and conditioning program could shake up that paradigm considerably. Still, the more interesting thing we're looking for this spring is which younger or more unknown guys make a big move. Moore is one who could really help shore things up given his size.
Florida will likely shift guys around quite liberally during spring to see who adapts to which positions best. There will be some cross-training at center, too, so it wouldn't be terribly surprising to see someone other than McCoy or Jordan get a crack there. What we're really looking for is an improved sense of aggression from the unit as a whole, though. We'll keep a close eye on all these moves this spring to get you a feel for how the line will shake out going forward.
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