- Sep 8, 2014
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Florida returns 17 starters going into 2018
Florida will have one of the SEC's most veteran returning teams heading into the 2018 season.
https://florida.247sports.com/Bolt/...returns-17-starters-going-into-2018-113292967
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- With left tackle Martez Ivey announcing his decision to return to school this week, GatorBait.net takes a look at what Florida has coming back in the starting lineup next fall.
Simply put, the Gators have a wealth of experience returning on both sides of the ball.
The offense returns nearly every starter from the 2017 season, with senior receiver Brandon Powell the only departed player. With 10 starters back on that side of the ball, including the entire starting offensive line, new coach Dan Mullen should definitely have some experienced players to begin molding.
On defense the numbers aren't quite as strong in terms of returning starters. Still, Florida returns seven starters.
For the sake of this story, we define returning starters as players who started in at least half of Florida's games in 2017.
And with that, it's worth noting that there were a handful of players who didn't quite qualify as returning starters that still got plenty of starting experience last fall.
On defense, cornerback C.J. Henderson and linebacker Jeremiah Moon finished just one start shy of being deemed a returning starter, while defensive end Jachai Polite finished two games shy. On offense, receiver Freddie Swain also finished just two games shy.
Needless to say, the Gators will be a veteran outfit next fall. Below you can view the returning starters on each side of the ball.
Florida's Returning Starters in 2018
OFFENSE
QB Feleipe Franks
RB Lamical Perine
WR Tyrie Cleveland
WR Joshua Hammond
TE C'yontai Lewis
LT Martez Ivey
LG Brett Heggie
C T.J. McCoy
RG Fredrick Johnson
RT Jawaan Taylor
DEFENSE
DE CeCe Jefferson
NT Khairi Clark
DE Jabari Zuniga
LB Vosean Joseph
LB David Reese
CB Marco Wilson
S Chauncey Gardner
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