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So, Jim McElwain, who’s going to be the QB? It’s all about the offense this spring
Florida coach Jim McElwain has managed to win the SEC East in each of his first two seasons in Gainesville. If he can produce a quality offense in Year 3, the Gators might be ready to regain their spot among the elite.
That process begins Tuesday when UF opens spring practice.
Florida was last in the SEC and 116th nationally in total offense last season at 344.0 yards per game and was 107th in scoring offense (23.9 points per game). Florida and Vanderbilt are the only SEC teams this decade never to average 400 yards per game in a season.
McElwain must pull the Gators out of their post-Tim Tebow offensive doldrums this fall because Florida can’t continue to rely on its defense and special teams to shoulder so much of the load.
Florida can feel good about its running backs, offensive line, receivers and tight ends, but offense will go only as far as the starting quarterback takes it.
McElwain still will be able to rely on a good defense, even if the Gators take a step back from last season’s superb unit. UF was fifth in the nation in total defense (292.8 yards per game) and sixth in scoring defense (16.8 points per game).
New defensive coordinator Randy Shannon — promoted from linebacker coach — loses eight significant contributors, but appears to have encouraging answers at every void.
The three biggest position battles
1. Quarterback: Redshirt freshmen Feleipe Franks and Kyle Trask will compete in one of the most noteworthy battles in the nation. The 6-foot-6 Franks was the star recruit, while Trask (6-4, 240) was unheralded. Franks might be capable of more spectacular plays, but McElwain’s history suggests the quarterback who protects the ball the best will have the edge. Don’t expect this battle to be over when spring concludes.
2. Defensive tackle: Caleb Brantley did a fantastic job replacing Jonathan Bullard last season. Now, UF must replace Brantley, as well as underrated Joey Ivie. Two juniors, Khairi Clark (6-2, 319) and Taven Bryan (6-5, 293), will get pushed by true sophomore Jachai Polite (6-2, 271) and prep school signee Kyree Campbell (6-3, 323), who enrolled in January and will go through spring drills. It will be interesting to see if converted guard Richerd Desir-Jones can make any kind of impact at defensive tackle.
3. Cornerback: The Gators lost Jalen Tabor and Quincy Wilson, two first-round possibilities in the NFL draft. Senior Duke Dawson — who was the main nickelback last season — looks ready for a star-making season. Sophomore Chauncey Gardner saw most of his time at safety last season, but can play all three positions in the secondary; how much time will he spend at corner — or at nickel? (Two safeties will miss spring drills, so that could impact Gardner’s practice time at corner this spring.) A quartet of corners — senior Joseph Putu, junior Chris Williamson and redshirt freshmen McArthur Burnett and C.J. McWilliams — should get every opportunity to impress before an influx of true freshmen arrive in summer. How many freshmen play this fall could be impacted by how that quartet performs this spring.
The three strongest positions
1. Defensive end: The Gators feature an enviable quartet in Cece Jefferson, Jordan Sherit (who will miss spring), Jabari Zuniga and Keivonnis Davis. They should help UF improve on its sack production – 31 last season to rank tied for 40th in the nation. Sophomore Antonneous Clayton is worth watching after a tough first season that included the flu, an arm injury and looking overmatched early on in practice.
2. Running back: UF enters spring with a talented trio of backs. Junior Jordan Scarlett ran for 889 yards (5.0 yards a carry on average) and six touchdowns last season. Sophomore Lamical Perine gained 421 yards, while senior Mark Thompson rushed for 299 yards.
3. Special teams: The kicking game should be among the best in the country with kicker Eddy Pineiro and punter Johnny Townsend returning. Pineiro was 21-of-25 on field goals, including 11-of-13 from beyond 40 yards. He made a 54-yarder and gives the Gators a unique scoring threat with his incredible leg strength. Townsend ranked first in the nation, averaging 47.9 yards a punt last season.
Offensive newcomer to watch
OT Kadeem Telfort: Finally, McElwain doesn’t have to play freshmen offensive linemen right away. The numbers are solid along the line, with UF bringing back seven experienced players that have combined for 63 starts. Still, Telfort (6-6, 318 pounds) — a true freshman from powerhouse Miami Booker T. Washington who enrolled early — might be too talented to keep out of the rotation. He’s a tackle, but could make an impact at guard as well, as Martez Ivey did the past two seasons. Telfort could make a case for playing time with a good spring.
Defensive newcomer to watch
OLB Jeremiah Moon: Moon played in the first two games last season as a true freshman before suffering a season-ending thumb injury; he was granted a redshirt. The former four-star recruit has an intriguing blend of athleticism and size (6-4, 218), and he’ll be in the mix with the Gators having to replace Jarrad Davis, Alex Anzalone and Daniel McMillian.
Offensive veteran on the spot
WR Brandon Powell: The senior will be fighting to maintain a spot among the team’s top three receivers behind star Antonio Callaway and promising sophomore Tyrie Cleveland. Powell’s receiving yards dropped last season, as he caught 45 passes but for just 387 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensive veteran on the spot
S Nick Washington: Washington, a fifth-year senior, is a heady player, but he needs to make more plays. Florida’s starting secondary looks promising if Washington steps up. If he doesn’t, UF could be well-equipped to push Washington back into a reserve role.
Notable players who will miss spring practice
There are a lot. Quarterback Luke Del Rio is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, which means more reps for Franks and Trask. Also totally out of spring ball are senior defensive end Jordan Sherit (knee), senior guard Antonio Riles (knee), sophomore linebacker David Reese (wrist), sophomore wide receiver Freddie Swain (shoulder) and sophomore safety Jeawon Taylor (shoulder) and redshirt freshman safety Quincy Lenton (foot). McWilliams, senior wide receiver Dre Massey and true freshman linebacker James Houston, at the least, will start spring in non-contact jerseys. Sherit, Riles, Reese, Swain, Massey and Taylor are potential starters.
Also of note
Spring game: April 7.
Season-opening game: vs. Michigan in Arlington, Texas, on September 2.
So, Jim McElwain, who’s going to be the QB? It’s all about the offense this spring
Florida coach Jim McElwain has managed to win the SEC East in each of his first two seasons in Gainesville. If he can produce a quality offense in Year 3, the Gators might be ready to regain their spot among the elite.
That process begins Tuesday when UF opens spring practice.
Florida was last in the SEC and 116th nationally in total offense last season at 344.0 yards per game and was 107th in scoring offense (23.9 points per game). Florida and Vanderbilt are the only SEC teams this decade never to average 400 yards per game in a season.
McElwain must pull the Gators out of their post-Tim Tebow offensive doldrums this fall because Florida can’t continue to rely on its defense and special teams to shoulder so much of the load.
Florida can feel good about its running backs, offensive line, receivers and tight ends, but offense will go only as far as the starting quarterback takes it.
McElwain still will be able to rely on a good defense, even if the Gators take a step back from last season’s superb unit. UF was fifth in the nation in total defense (292.8 yards per game) and sixth in scoring defense (16.8 points per game).
New defensive coordinator Randy Shannon — promoted from linebacker coach — loses eight significant contributors, but appears to have encouraging answers at every void.
The three biggest position battles
1. Quarterback: Redshirt freshmen Feleipe Franks and Kyle Trask will compete in one of the most noteworthy battles in the nation. The 6-foot-6 Franks was the star recruit, while Trask (6-4, 240) was unheralded. Franks might be capable of more spectacular plays, but McElwain’s history suggests the quarterback who protects the ball the best will have the edge. Don’t expect this battle to be over when spring concludes.
2. Defensive tackle: Caleb Brantley did a fantastic job replacing Jonathan Bullard last season. Now, UF must replace Brantley, as well as underrated Joey Ivie. Two juniors, Khairi Clark (6-2, 319) and Taven Bryan (6-5, 293), will get pushed by true sophomore Jachai Polite (6-2, 271) and prep school signee Kyree Campbell (6-3, 323), who enrolled in January and will go through spring drills. It will be interesting to see if converted guard Richerd Desir-Jones can make any kind of impact at defensive tackle.
3. Cornerback: The Gators lost Jalen Tabor and Quincy Wilson, two first-round possibilities in the NFL draft. Senior Duke Dawson — who was the main nickelback last season — looks ready for a star-making season. Sophomore Chauncey Gardner saw most of his time at safety last season, but can play all three positions in the secondary; how much time will he spend at corner — or at nickel? (Two safeties will miss spring drills, so that could impact Gardner’s practice time at corner this spring.) A quartet of corners — senior Joseph Putu, junior Chris Williamson and redshirt freshmen McArthur Burnett and C.J. McWilliams — should get every opportunity to impress before an influx of true freshmen arrive in summer. How many freshmen play this fall could be impacted by how that quartet performs this spring.
The three strongest positions
1. Defensive end: The Gators feature an enviable quartet in Cece Jefferson, Jordan Sherit (who will miss spring), Jabari Zuniga and Keivonnis Davis. They should help UF improve on its sack production – 31 last season to rank tied for 40th in the nation. Sophomore Antonneous Clayton is worth watching after a tough first season that included the flu, an arm injury and looking overmatched early on in practice.
2. Running back: UF enters spring with a talented trio of backs. Junior Jordan Scarlett ran for 889 yards (5.0 yards a carry on average) and six touchdowns last season. Sophomore Lamical Perine gained 421 yards, while senior Mark Thompson rushed for 299 yards.
3. Special teams: The kicking game should be among the best in the country with kicker Eddy Pineiro and punter Johnny Townsend returning. Pineiro was 21-of-25 on field goals, including 11-of-13 from beyond 40 yards. He made a 54-yarder and gives the Gators a unique scoring threat with his incredible leg strength. Townsend ranked first in the nation, averaging 47.9 yards a punt last season.
Offensive newcomer to watch
OT Kadeem Telfort: Finally, McElwain doesn’t have to play freshmen offensive linemen right away. The numbers are solid along the line, with UF bringing back seven experienced players that have combined for 63 starts. Still, Telfort (6-6, 318 pounds) — a true freshman from powerhouse Miami Booker T. Washington who enrolled early — might be too talented to keep out of the rotation. He’s a tackle, but could make an impact at guard as well, as Martez Ivey did the past two seasons. Telfort could make a case for playing time with a good spring.
Defensive newcomer to watch
OLB Jeremiah Moon: Moon played in the first two games last season as a true freshman before suffering a season-ending thumb injury; he was granted a redshirt. The former four-star recruit has an intriguing blend of athleticism and size (6-4, 218), and he’ll be in the mix with the Gators having to replace Jarrad Davis, Alex Anzalone and Daniel McMillian.
Offensive veteran on the spot
WR Brandon Powell: The senior will be fighting to maintain a spot among the team’s top three receivers behind star Antonio Callaway and promising sophomore Tyrie Cleveland. Powell’s receiving yards dropped last season, as he caught 45 passes but for just 387 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensive veteran on the spot
S Nick Washington: Washington, a fifth-year senior, is a heady player, but he needs to make more plays. Florida’s starting secondary looks promising if Washington steps up. If he doesn’t, UF could be well-equipped to push Washington back into a reserve role.
Notable players who will miss spring practice
There are a lot. Quarterback Luke Del Rio is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, which means more reps for Franks and Trask. Also totally out of spring ball are senior defensive end Jordan Sherit (knee), senior guard Antonio Riles (knee), sophomore linebacker David Reese (wrist), sophomore wide receiver Freddie Swain (shoulder) and sophomore safety Jeawon Taylor (shoulder) and redshirt freshman safety Quincy Lenton (foot). McWilliams, senior wide receiver Dre Massey and true freshman linebacker James Houston, at the least, will start spring in non-contact jerseys. Sherit, Riles, Reese, Swain, Massey and Taylor are potential starters.
Also of note
Spring game: April 7.
Season-opening game: vs. Michigan in Arlington, Texas, on September 2.
