Spring Practice thread: Report: OT Noah Banks has been cleared to play

[maheo30]

Here's some excerpts from Will Sammon on the o-line,

One source close to the program put things bluntly after practice in terms of the offensive line, saying, “We need more.”

For now, the Gators have an inexperienced group and are hoping for serious gains, quickly. There was some mixing and matching, but the first team from left to right was: Stone Forsythe, Brett Heggie, Nick Buchanan, Chris Bleich and Jean Delance. The second-team offensive line was Richard Gouraige, Ethan White, Tanner Rowell, T.J. Moore and Michael Tarquin. Heggie, who didn’t show any signs of limitations after battling a few injuries last year, played both guard spots. White took some snaps at backup left tackle, and freshman Kingsley Eguakun worked at center with the third team.

On a positive note for the Gators, Bleich is in better physical shape this spring and looks poised to claim a prominent role, while Tarquin has the best frame of the early enrollees and the best shot at playing time in the two-deep among the freshmen.

 

[BMF]

Here's some excerpts from Will Sammon on the o-line,

One source close to the program put things bluntly after practice in terms of the offensive line, saying, “We need more.”

For now, the Gators have an inexperienced group and are hoping for serious gains, quickly. There was some mixing and matching, but the first team from left to right was: Stone Forsythe, Brett Heggie, Nick Buchanan, Chris Bleich and Jean Delance. The second-team offensive line was Richard Gouraige, Ethan White, Tanner Rowell, T.J. Moore and Michael Tarquin. Heggie, who didn’t show any signs of limitations after battling a few injuries last year, played both guard spots. White took some snaps at backup left tackle, and freshman Kingsley Eguakun worked at center with the third team.

On a positive note for the Gators, Bleich is in better physical shape this spring and looks poised to claim a prominent role, while Tarquin has the best frame of the early enrollees and the best shot at playing time in the two-deep among the freshmen.

I think we're going to be fine in the middle of the OL, even w/ an injury or two (but hopefully Heggie stays healthy). OT is the problem. Between Delance, Forsythe, Moore, and Gouraige hopefully we find two that are SEC caliber and ready to go. If Tarquin plays/starts this year we're in trouble. It's a shame Banks is probably done. He would have given us a solid option at either OT spot.

 

[Swamp Donkey]

He was 208lbs at the recent all-star game he played in in January.

Yeah....sure. I dont claim to have eyes so calibrated I cant miss by 8 pounds.

The point is he has the frame of a CB and he isnt playing DE/Rush any time soon. Hopefully he looks at Greenard at 265 and realizes that is where he needs to be.

 

[BMF]

Yeah....sure. I dont claim to have eyes so calibrated I cant miss by 8 pounds.

The point is he has the frame of a CB and he isnt playing DE/Rush any time soon. Hopefully he looks at Greenard at 265 and realizes that is where he needs to be.

No sh*t. I was agreeing with you....and I've been telling people that for months now (that he weighed in at 208 at the all-star game). He needs a reshirt as bad as any player has ever needed a redshirt! Hopefully he can get to 220 by fall and get in a few games next year (w/ the 4 game rule). But yeah, he ain't playing any meaningful downs this season.

You could get a job at the county fair guessing weights and ages....that might help you with that 8 pound error you made!

 

[Swamp Donkey]

You could get a job at the county fair guessing weights and ages....that might help you with that 8 pound error you made!

They always want to put me in the "guess the length of the donkey dick" trailer.

 

[TLB]

WTF...

Meanwhile, Rowell had some major issues snapping the ball, not at all unexpected for a defensive tackle converted to center for spring practice. Florida needs redshirt freshman Griffin McDowell (scooter accident, out for spring) back in a hurry to ensure it has some depth at center.

DT playing center? Scooter accidents? Have we learned NOTHING?

 

[5-Star Finger]

Okay, I laughed.

 

[maheo30]

It's a shame Banks is probably done. He would have given us a solid option at either OT spot.

What is his health issue? All I've seen is that CDM calls it a "unique" situation.

 

[leogator]

Banks experienced extreme vertigo at couple of practices leading up to the bowl game and full seizures afterward. They have not determined the cause yet. The family is getting second opinion on it but UF is erring on the side of caution and keeping him out of practices. His football future is very much in the air.

 

[BMF]

Banks experienced extreme vertigo at couple of practices leading up to the bowl game and full seizures afterward. They have not determined the cause yet. The family is getting second opinion on it but UF is erring on the side of caution and keeping him out of practices. His football future is very much in the air.

Yeah, this doesn't sound good. It's been 3 full months since bowl practices started. Really sucks, he was going to either start or provide quality depth (definitely a top 7 OL).

 

[maheo30]

I asked Will Sammon about the safety position. This is his reply,

I think Stiner and Taylor are good in the room, prep well and earn their reps through work ethic. This was only day one, but if it continues as a trend, it will definitely be asked to Grantham and English (they speak to media next week or week after). If you had to make a play, I'm going with Stewart. There's a lot to like about Huggins, and he's my pick to make a move.

 

[Sec14Gator]

No sh*t. I was agreeing with you....and I've been telling people that for months now (that he weighed in at 208 at the all-star game). He needs a reshirt as bad as any player has ever needed a redshirt! Hopefully he can get to 220 by fall and get in a few games next year (w/ the 4 game rule). But yeah, he ain't playing any meaningful downs this season.

You could get a job at the county fair guessing weights and ages....that might help you with that 8 pound error you made!

Didn’t he play some true LB in the army game and had decent coverage skills (i May be conflating him and someone else in the us army game)? I’ve seen his film and while he rushes well, I wonder if he could end up more of a true wlb that blitzes a fair amount but also plays traditional lb responsibilities of run and coverage support rather than a pure rush lb/de that will always be bodying up on tackles.

 

[BMF]

Didn’t he play some true LB in the army game and had decent coverage skills (i May be conflating him and someone else in the us army game)? I’ve seen his film and while he rushes well, I wonder if he could end up more of a true wlb that blitzes a fair amount but also plays traditional lb responsibilities of run and coverage support rather than a pure rush lb/de that will always be bodying up on tackles.

I remember the reports that he was kicking ass in the practices leading up to the game, and then had a good game - and I believe his ranking improved after the game. But, he did weigh in at 208lbs - which is pretty amazing considering he was trying to bullrush 300-pounders (and winning). I think he'll add weight just fine. He was brought in to play the Edge position, so I assume (for now) that's the plan. But he needs to redshirt and is not needed in 2019.

 

[Gatorraid81]

Banks experienced extreme vertigo at couple of practices leading up to the bowl game and full seizures afterward. They have not determined the cause yet. The family is getting second opinion on it but UF is erring on the side of caution and keeping him out of practices. His football future is very much in the air.

Geez, it seems like every year we have a kid with a unique medical condition and he needs to quit football over it.

 

[NavetG8r]

 

[Swamp Donkey]

But, he did weigh in at 208lbs - which is pretty amazing considering he was trying to bullrush 300-pounders (and winning)

I don't remember that. I remember him running around people. Have video? I can't seem to find the all star games any of them.

 

[BMF]

I don't remember that. I remember him running around people. Have video? I can't seem to find the all star games any of them.

I'm digging through the 2019 recruiting thread, I haven't found a video/tweet yet but here's what I posted after reading the reports on sizes:

One thing I didn't see posted/reported is the updates from the all-star game. Something I found interesting.....and a bit disappointing is Diabate's size. He's been listed at 6'4 220 (ish). He measured at the camp this week at: 6'2 1/4" 208.4lbs. I was hoping for a 6'4 220+ who was ready to come into the S&C program and grow into a solid WDE/Edge. He's more ready to play strong safety.

Hopper is a little disappointing as well, measuring at: 6'1 5/8" 197.4lbs.

 

[Swamp Donkey]

I remember him shining at the camps. I just don't remember seeing him bullrush anyone.

That seems, frankly, impossible also.

 

[BMF]

I remember him shining at the camps. I just don't remember seeing him bullrush anyone.

That seems, frankly, impossible also.

Well, maybe "bullrush" wasn't the right term. I recall seeing him in a video going one-on-one w/ OL's and winning (going around and through/beating). In fact, his camp during the all-star game was so good he got a bump in his ranking.

 

[Gatorphan]

Well, maybe "bullrush" wasn't the right term. I recall seeing him in a video going one-on-one w/ OL's and winning (going around and through/beating). In fact, his camp during the all-star game was so good he got a bump in his ranking.

He goes around guys, but he’s so quick he doesn’t have go far around them which creates a straighter trajectory to the QB.