Most improved players throughout year

[The Original DC]

Some obvious choices on defense; Marcus Maye and Jalen Tabor jump to mind. Maye ended up 3rd on the team in tackles, had 3 tackles for loss and became a stud in run defense. He also improved greatly in coverage over the season and seemed to be all over the field yesterday. By year's end, Maye was clearly outplaying Muschamp's beloved Keanu Neal. The insertion of Tabor transformed the secondary and defense. He more than held his own and got better during the season. Tabor had huge plays against UT with the sack and forced fumble and had a spectacular interception v Vandy. My third guy would be Alex McAlister. He ended up with 6 sacks and had numerous qb hurries. He'll be our main pass rush guy next year, unless Cowart comes on board.

On offense, it's slim pickings. I guess you have to go with Demarcus Robinson by default. He ended up with 53 catches, 810 yards, 7 td's. That's by miles, our best at WR. Rod Johnson on the O-line deserves a mention. He was very steady and I can't recall him getting beaten badly at any point.

 

[The Original DC]

Nice improvement from Austin Harden too. He went from being horrific in 2013 to 7 of 10 in 2014. A few of those were critical in the FSU game, but he clearly had a better year.

 

[GatorInKnox]

Tabor and Hardin

 

[NavetG8r]

Bullard

 

[Marianna-FL_Gator]

Brantley/ Willis/Tabor/Wilson

 

[Fishon]

Some obvious choices on defense; Marcus Maye and Jalen Tabor jump to mind. Maye ended up 3rd on the team in tackles, had 3 tackles for loss and became a stud in run defense. He also improved greatly in coverage over the season and seemed to be all over the field yesterday. By year's end, Maye was clearly outplaying Muschamp's beloved Keanu Neal. The insertion of Tabor transformed the secondary and defense. He more than held his own and got better during the season. Tabor had huge plays against UT with the sack and forced fumble and had a spectacular interception v Vandy. My third guy would be Alex McAlister. He ended up with 6 sacks and had numerous qb hurries. He'll be our main pass rush guy next year, unless Cowart comes on board.

On offense, it's slim pickings. I guess you have to go with Demarcus Robinson by default. He ended up with 53 catches, 810 yards, 7 td's. That's by miles, our best at WR. Rod Johnson on the O-line deserves a mention. He was very steady and I can't recall him getting beaten badly at any point.

I respectfully disagree about Maye, specifically regarding his cover skills. He still has problems playing the ball in the air and was beat for a TD yesterday. I would add Bryan Cox, Jr. on defense and pretty much agree with you on offense. Rod Johnson looks like a player for us. I was really disappointed that Kelvin Taylor seems to have made no noticeable improvement this season

 

[Marianna-FL_Gator]

I respectfully disagree about Maye, specifically regarding his cover skills. He still has problems playing the ball in the air and was beat for a TD yesterday. I would add Bryan Cox, Jr. on defense and pretty much agree with you on offense. Rod Johnson looks like a player for us. I was really disappointed that Kelvin Taylor seems to have made no noticeable improvement this season

Taylor needs to live in the weight room this off season.

 

[The Original DC]

Brantley/ Willis/Tabor/Wilson

Good call on Brantley.

 

[The Original DC]

I respectfully disagree about Maye, specifically regarding his cover skills. He still has problems playing the ball in the air and was beat for a TD yesterday. I would add Bryan Cox, Jr. on defense and pretty much agree with you on offense. Rod Johnson looks like a player for us. I was really disappointed that Kelvin Taylor seems to have made no noticeable improvement this season

I knew I would have disagreements regarding Maye's coverage, but I thought he made outstanding gains over the course of the year. Even on the TD he gave up yesterday, the coverage was very good, ECU simply executed a good play. Maye is a great open field tackler too, I just really like the gains he made throughout the year.

Agree on Cox Jr, hoping he continues to improve. We'll need him and McAlister to be studs next year. m

 

[The Original DC]

Taylor needs to live in the weight room this off season.

Taylor needs to pick up about two tenths on his forty time. Looks to be a 4.65 type guy, 4.5 would make a world of difference. However, nobody on UGA could catch him from behind, so maybe he's fine.

 

[GatorJ]

I knew I would have disagreements regarding Maye's coverage, but I thought he made outstanding gains over the course of the year. Even on the TD he gave up yesterday, the coverage was very good, ECU simply executed a good play. Maye is a great open field tackler too, I just really like the gains he made throughout the year.

Agree on Cox Jr, hoping he continues to improve. We'll need him and McAlister to be studs next year. m

Cox looks on the cusp of becoming a terror. If we bring in CeCe and Cowart we will be absolutely loaded on the D-Line. Clark, Willis, Sherrit, and Ivey as second stringers is crazy.

McCallister is the biggest surprise. Nobody saw that coming.

We need linebackers something crazy.

 

[Concrete Helmet]

Brantley/ Willis/Tabor/Wilson

This. You could maybe add Ivie and Anzalone. Rod Johnson and Robinson from the offense.

 

[MJMGator]

t-gator and it's not even close.

 

[t-gator]

t-gator and it's not even close.

This!

 

[GatorJ]

t-gator and it's not even close.

He's definitely the most improved poster. Fatherhood has given him wisdom in his posts. And he's become way funnier. Didn't see that one coming.

 

[Left Coast Gator]

I was surprised to see Marcus Maye chase down ECU's NFL prospect from behind and tackle him inside the five yard line. Excellent effort. I didn't realize he had that kind of speed.

 

[NVGator]

He's definitely the most improved poster. Fatherhood has given him wisdom in his posts. And he's become way funnier. Didn't see that one coming.

 

[Marianna-FL_Gator]

This. You could maybe add Ivie and Anzalone. Rod Johnson and Robinson from the offense.

They all we're playing strong at the end of the season. If they keep improving we'll have some really good players.

 

[WobbleGator]

t-gator and it's not even close.

 

[I Have No Friends :(]

I was surprised to see Marcus Maye chase down ECU's NFL prospect from behind and tackle him inside the five yard line. Excellent effort. I didn't realize he had that kind of speed.

Brian Poole had the chase down tackle (#24), but I agree that Marcus Maye improved a lot. Played a good bowl game.