- Oct 5, 2017
- 2,315
- 6,299
Thank you to everyone responded to Part 1 of my series on why 10 wins is a possibility for the season. I hope to respond to most comments whether agree or disagree. As I've previously said pre-season I prefer to pump while knowing I will probably be let down for another year. Until that happens though, we are going to have a surprisingly good year and Dan Mullen will prove all of us doubters wrong (or his staff will make him look good like 2010 Auburn, just maybe not quite to that success level). So here is part 2 focusing on our roster. The grades I am given are a baseline based on unknown quantities and last year. I do think many of these grades will be higher when the season is over. I'd love to use stats, as I do during the season, but with everything so new and different, I'm playing wait and see.
Quarterback- B-
I actually waited a day to post because of the rumors that Mullen might have named a starter yesterday when he met with the media. In the meantime, however, I ran into the articles from SDS making the case for why Franks or Trask should be the starter and why Jones should receive some playing time. Good write ups that actually say a lot of what I had planned.
Franks, Trask, Jones
With that said, here's a few thoughts. One, I think our QB's have such low expectations that they should more than meet them. It's a fact that before the Spring Feleipe Franks never had an Offensive Coordinator or QB coach (no, I don't think Nuss was anything other than a guy with a title), not in high school, not in college, never. We can debate the quality of Johnson/Mullen, etc., but I'll stick with they are better than Nuss/Mac until proven otherwise. I'm a Trask guy and have been one since I felt he did better with less in the 2017 Spring Game (adjusted for the fact he had a walk on O-line vs. 1st Team D). Trask has shown accuracy in what little we've seen, but can he do it under the lights? I think the receivers will get open, the questions are will the QB's have time and will they get the ball to the open/right guy. I think if protected, which was a major issue last year (see the Michigan game I re-watched Sunday on YouTube), then we will see passing yardage like we haven't seen in years (imagine averaging 225+ a game for a season). Franks made several good runs (mostly scrambles last year) that showed athleticism and Trask has good size to hit holes. I'm curious to see how much we rely on the QB running on the 1st of September. Can either run like Fitzgerald? Probably not, that guy has a chance to be a SEC record holder for TD's. Can they be serviceable? Probably. I would say that if reports are accurate, they may be better in the passing game. I'll also be curious how many people in the stands will yell about a QB scrambling to their right not being able to making a throw from one sideline to the other off their back foot (this actually happened). I'm sure we will have some things to complain about, but seriously, at least use some logic.
Honestly, I grade this group low only because we haven't seen them in an offensive scheme yet. The offensive line also has not helped in recent years either. Especially later in the season as we have lost at least one starter in the back half of the year almost every season. No QB can be successful while running for their life, but we have to see the mental game.
Running Backs A+
Do you want a running back that has a great combination of power and speed? Jordan Scarlett
Do you want a small, but powerful back who can catch out of the backfield? Lamical Perine
What about a guy who can make a cut and go while leaving most defenders behind? Malik Davis
How about a guy with breakaway speed? Adarius Lemons
So much has been written about the depth of these guys. The great thing about depth is there will be fresh legs available when opposing defenses are tired. I would not be surprised to see Lemons in the slot some like we saw Brandon James back in the day. Rumors of multiple backs in the backfield could give a defense just enough pause for creases to arise.
Receivers A
I'm giving this an A, which I'm sue will be too high for some. I get it. However, as I put previously, for the top 4 receivers who were recruited as receivers, the average recruit ranking is the highest Billy Gonzales has had at UF. Cleveland, Jefferson, and Grimes give size as they are 6-2, 6-2, and 6-5 respectively. Throw in Toney and the forgotten Dre Massey for at a lot of speed. Rick Wells is actually available for the first time, Hammond and Swain have shown flashes (I think Gonzales will bring more consistency), and Daquon Green is another young guy with size.
Tight Ends B
There is size and unproven talent. Lewis, when given the ball, has shown flashes such as his TD catch vs. UGA in 2016. Gamble was supposed to be a big deal last year before injury. Pitts has had good rumblings and Krull apparently will be a quality addition. And, now they don't have Nord, I'm excited to see if they can show consistency that we've been missing from the position. I believe the talent is there for both the running and passing games.
O-Line C
Usually having several 3 or 4 year starters is a good thing. For the paste few seasons this group has hurt the team more than they've helped. I know this rating seems different than my take on the QB's, but at least I haven't seen much from the QB's, while I have seen several seasons of this line. They could surprise me and maybe they will finally have some play-calling to help them. Such as quick tosses, sweeps, end arounds, and other quicker outside runs that spread the box. Maybe quick slants, quick ins, drags, and other quick pass plays (other than constant, predictable screens) that draw linebackers away from the line and punish blitzes. This group could surprise me and I do believe in Hevesy, but I have to see to believe. If this line becomes even average then the skill around them could create the top-75 offense that is really all we can ask for coming into this year, though I think we can go higher.
D-Line A (Buck Position Included)
Each position of this line is at least 2 deep. Most beat writers report more about the change in body condition due to Nick Savage for this position group than any other. Unlike the O-line, players I have watched for years have produced. Zuniga, Jefferson, Polite, and Clark headline. However, young guys like Conliffe, Slaton, and Campbell did well for true freshman last year. Throw in reports that Clayton is starting to earn his high recruiting ranking and the transfers. Also, consider the addition of an aggressive scheme with blitzing (as opposed to Shannon's D) and this group has the potential to be dominant.
Linebacker B-
David Reese, Vosean Joseph, and Kylan Johnson have all had highs and lows the past few seasons. The depth behind them is unproven, but is probably better than last year. Why? Well, by the end of the year at least one walk-on was playing a significant amount of time. Having Nick Smith and Ventrell Miller (who some have raved about) will be a boost at least to depth. Further, the aggressive scheme should help. And playing a lot of nickel (or that's what I've heard) will keep only 2 LB's in the game allowing for more rest/cycling of the LB's.
Cornerback B+
Debated an A-, but I'm not sure how I like Henderson as a CB2 in coverage. He had some great picks/returns when the ball was thrown directly at him, but had plenty of coverage lapses. Granted, some of that was being a true freshman. I think Wilson handled it better. Both at least have plenty of experience and again, an aggressive D should help. With blitzing, we should see more QB hurries, which lead to rushed throws, which are less accurate, lead to tips and picks. I would start Chauncey at CB1 or 2, and am glad he's back to his natural position. I think these guys, if they stay healthy, will end up a strength for this defense.
Safeties C
What can I say? Two new starters, maybe Chauncey takes snaps there due to Lenton's injuries, but not much to go on. Shawn Davis was serviceable as a true freshman and showed great speed, so much so that his recovery on a Michigan TD lead many, including myself, to think he blew a coverage. Upon review, wasn't his fault. Heck we have Clement playing there for now. Ron English could improve this group, but for now I'm starting low and thinking we achieve higher than my initial grade. The good news is if the guys in front of them do their job, they will be able to adjust with less pressure. Also, we've seen great things from first year safeties in the past, who is to say that can't happen with highly touted guys like Stewart and Davis?
If this roster were taken as is, I'm not sure if I would even think 10 wins would be possible. However, I think our coaching will develop players on both sides of the balI and players may reach their potential we haven't seen yet for a variety of reasons. For example, the offensive line could be helped by play-calling, the QB's could benefit from actually having a QB coach and competent play-calling along with our best skill position groups in years, and an aggressive defensive ideology will take some groups to the next level. Mixed with what I believe is an advantageous schedule, 10-wins is achievable.
Quarterback- B-
I actually waited a day to post because of the rumors that Mullen might have named a starter yesterday when he met with the media. In the meantime, however, I ran into the articles from SDS making the case for why Franks or Trask should be the starter and why Jones should receive some playing time. Good write ups that actually say a lot of what I had planned.
Franks, Trask, Jones
With that said, here's a few thoughts. One, I think our QB's have such low expectations that they should more than meet them. It's a fact that before the Spring Feleipe Franks never had an Offensive Coordinator or QB coach (no, I don't think Nuss was anything other than a guy with a title), not in high school, not in college, never. We can debate the quality of Johnson/Mullen, etc., but I'll stick with they are better than Nuss/Mac until proven otherwise. I'm a Trask guy and have been one since I felt he did better with less in the 2017 Spring Game (adjusted for the fact he had a walk on O-line vs. 1st Team D). Trask has shown accuracy in what little we've seen, but can he do it under the lights? I think the receivers will get open, the questions are will the QB's have time and will they get the ball to the open/right guy. I think if protected, which was a major issue last year (see the Michigan game I re-watched Sunday on YouTube), then we will see passing yardage like we haven't seen in years (imagine averaging 225+ a game for a season). Franks made several good runs (mostly scrambles last year) that showed athleticism and Trask has good size to hit holes. I'm curious to see how much we rely on the QB running on the 1st of September. Can either run like Fitzgerald? Probably not, that guy has a chance to be a SEC record holder for TD's. Can they be serviceable? Probably. I would say that if reports are accurate, they may be better in the passing game. I'll also be curious how many people in the stands will yell about a QB scrambling to their right not being able to making a throw from one sideline to the other off their back foot (this actually happened). I'm sure we will have some things to complain about, but seriously, at least use some logic.
Honestly, I grade this group low only because we haven't seen them in an offensive scheme yet. The offensive line also has not helped in recent years either. Especially later in the season as we have lost at least one starter in the back half of the year almost every season. No QB can be successful while running for their life, but we have to see the mental game.
Running Backs A+
Do you want a running back that has a great combination of power and speed? Jordan Scarlett
Do you want a small, but powerful back who can catch out of the backfield? Lamical Perine
What about a guy who can make a cut and go while leaving most defenders behind? Malik Davis
How about a guy with breakaway speed? Adarius Lemons
So much has been written about the depth of these guys. The great thing about depth is there will be fresh legs available when opposing defenses are tired. I would not be surprised to see Lemons in the slot some like we saw Brandon James back in the day. Rumors of multiple backs in the backfield could give a defense just enough pause for creases to arise.
Receivers A
I'm giving this an A, which I'm sue will be too high for some. I get it. However, as I put previously, for the top 4 receivers who were recruited as receivers, the average recruit ranking is the highest Billy Gonzales has had at UF. Cleveland, Jefferson, and Grimes give size as they are 6-2, 6-2, and 6-5 respectively. Throw in Toney and the forgotten Dre Massey for at a lot of speed. Rick Wells is actually available for the first time, Hammond and Swain have shown flashes (I think Gonzales will bring more consistency), and Daquon Green is another young guy with size.
Tight Ends B
There is size and unproven talent. Lewis, when given the ball, has shown flashes such as his TD catch vs. UGA in 2016. Gamble was supposed to be a big deal last year before injury. Pitts has had good rumblings and Krull apparently will be a quality addition. And, now they don't have Nord, I'm excited to see if they can show consistency that we've been missing from the position. I believe the talent is there for both the running and passing games.
O-Line C
Usually having several 3 or 4 year starters is a good thing. For the paste few seasons this group has hurt the team more than they've helped. I know this rating seems different than my take on the QB's, but at least I haven't seen much from the QB's, while I have seen several seasons of this line. They could surprise me and maybe they will finally have some play-calling to help them. Such as quick tosses, sweeps, end arounds, and other quicker outside runs that spread the box. Maybe quick slants, quick ins, drags, and other quick pass plays (other than constant, predictable screens) that draw linebackers away from the line and punish blitzes. This group could surprise me and I do believe in Hevesy, but I have to see to believe. If this line becomes even average then the skill around them could create the top-75 offense that is really all we can ask for coming into this year, though I think we can go higher.
D-Line A (Buck Position Included)
Each position of this line is at least 2 deep. Most beat writers report more about the change in body condition due to Nick Savage for this position group than any other. Unlike the O-line, players I have watched for years have produced. Zuniga, Jefferson, Polite, and Clark headline. However, young guys like Conliffe, Slaton, and Campbell did well for true freshman last year. Throw in reports that Clayton is starting to earn his high recruiting ranking and the transfers. Also, consider the addition of an aggressive scheme with blitzing (as opposed to Shannon's D) and this group has the potential to be dominant.
Linebacker B-
David Reese, Vosean Joseph, and Kylan Johnson have all had highs and lows the past few seasons. The depth behind them is unproven, but is probably better than last year. Why? Well, by the end of the year at least one walk-on was playing a significant amount of time. Having Nick Smith and Ventrell Miller (who some have raved about) will be a boost at least to depth. Further, the aggressive scheme should help. And playing a lot of nickel (or that's what I've heard) will keep only 2 LB's in the game allowing for more rest/cycling of the LB's.
Cornerback B+
Debated an A-, but I'm not sure how I like Henderson as a CB2 in coverage. He had some great picks/returns when the ball was thrown directly at him, but had plenty of coverage lapses. Granted, some of that was being a true freshman. I think Wilson handled it better. Both at least have plenty of experience and again, an aggressive D should help. With blitzing, we should see more QB hurries, which lead to rushed throws, which are less accurate, lead to tips and picks. I would start Chauncey at CB1 or 2, and am glad he's back to his natural position. I think these guys, if they stay healthy, will end up a strength for this defense.
Safeties C
What can I say? Two new starters, maybe Chauncey takes snaps there due to Lenton's injuries, but not much to go on. Shawn Davis was serviceable as a true freshman and showed great speed, so much so that his recovery on a Michigan TD lead many, including myself, to think he blew a coverage. Upon review, wasn't his fault. Heck we have Clement playing there for now. Ron English could improve this group, but for now I'm starting low and thinking we achieve higher than my initial grade. The good news is if the guys in front of them do their job, they will be able to adjust with less pressure. Also, we've seen great things from first year safeties in the past, who is to say that can't happen with highly touted guys like Stewart and Davis?
If this roster were taken as is, I'm not sure if I would even think 10 wins would be possible. However, I think our coaching will develop players on both sides of the balI and players may reach their potential we haven't seen yet for a variety of reasons. For example, the offensive line could be helped by play-calling, the QB's could benefit from actually having a QB coach and competent play-calling along with our best skill position groups in years, and an aggressive defensive ideology will take some groups to the next level. Mixed with what I believe is an advantageous schedule, 10-wins is achievable.
