Newbies who will have an impact

[LongTooth]

My picks for top newbie at each position:
1. OL - Jawaan Taylor: man-child.
2. WR - F. Swain: I'm with Mac and GatorJ on this one. He's gonna make plays.
3. Slot WR - Dre Massey: getting the most favorable mentions from Mac of the whole WR corps.
4. Special Teams - Eddy K. and Massey: the first one is, well, duh, and the second is for return game.
5. LB - Reese AND Joseph: both have come to ball. Joseph might even have the edge right now.
6. DB - Jaewon Taylor: came in at 6'2" and 192 and we really don't know what quality we have at safety.
7. DE - Jachai Polite: big kid, 6'4" 230 in the spring. getting props from vets and staff. where's Clayton?
8. RB- Lamical Perine: it's happening. Thompson got the early press. Perine gets the props from the coach.

breakout redshirt FR: Tyler Jordan (OL), Kylan Johnson (LB), Jabari Zuniga (DT), Keivonnis Davis (DE), Brandon Sandifer (OL), Fred Johnson (OL)

not saying all these guys are going to be starting, but they've shown well in practice and they are in positions of real need on the team.

 

[GatorBart]

my picks for top newbie at each position:
1. OL - Jawaan Taylor: man-child.
2. WR - F. Swain: I'm with Mac and GatorJ on this one. He's gonna make plays.
3. Slot WR - Dre Massey: getting the most favorable mentions from Mac of the whole WR corps.
4. Special Teams - Eddy K. and Massey: the first one is, well, duh, and the second is for return game.
5. LB - Reese AND Joseph: both have come to ball. Joseph might even have the edge right now.
6. DB - Jaewon Taylor: came in at 6'2" and 192 and we really don't know what quality we have at safety.
7. DE - Jachai Polite: big kid, 6'4" 230 in the spring. getting props from vets and staff. where's Clayton?
8. RB- Lamical Perine: it's happening. Thompson got the early press. Perine gets the props from the coach.

breakout redshirt FR: Tyler Jordan (OL), Kylan Johnson (LB), Jabari Zuniga (DT), Keivonnis Davis (DE), Brandon Sandifer (OL), Fred Johnson (OL)

not saying all these guys are going to be starting, but they've shown well in practice and they are in positions of real need on the team.

Not disputing anything you said LT, in fact, I think you put together a good list - just some clarification:

Tyler Jordan played quite a bit last year (played in all 14 games and started the last 3) - he'll be a Soph, as will K. Davis (played in 4 games, had 4 tackles), as will F. Johnson (played in 8 games, started 2).
Polite's listed at 271, not 230 (typo?).
Jaewon Taylor now listed at 6' 180lb (he shrunk).
Source: http://floridagators.com/roster.aspx?path=football

 

[Alagator]

my picks for top newbie at each position:
1. OL - Jawaan Taylor: man-child.
2. WR - F. Swain: I'm with Mac and GatorJ on this one. He's gonna make plays.
3. Slot WR - Dre Massey: getting the most favorable mentions from Mac of the whole WR corps.
4. Special Teams - Eddy K. and Massey: the first one is, well, duh, and the second is for return game.
5. LB - Reese AND Joseph: both have come to ball. Joseph might even have the edge right now.
6. DB - Jaewon Taylor: came in at 6'2" and 192 and we really don't know what quality we have at safety.
7. DE - Jachai Polite: big kid, 6'4" 230 in the spring. getting props from vets and staff. where's Clayton?
8. RB- Lamical Perine: it's happening. Thompson got the early press. Perine gets the props from the coach.

breakout redshirt FR: Tyler Jordan (OL), Kylan Johnson (LB), Jabari Zuniga (DT), Keivonnis Davis (DE), Brandon Sandifer (OL), Fred Johnson (OL)

not saying all these guys are going to be starting, but they've shown well in practice and they are in positions of real need on the team.

Not to nit-pick but Tyler Jordan and Fred Johnson are true sophomores, not redshirt fresh.

Agree with most of your picks and have hopes they'll be accurate. Another "newcomer" I expect to make an immediate impact will be the JUCO DB Putu. (sp?)

 

[GatorJ]

I think your post is spot on. I'm excited about the prospects of Zuniga being a player.

I think for the first time in many years our oline will be deep.

And yeah. I heard quite a bit about Clayton early in camp but not so much lately. He could've just hit a wall. He's only about 220lbs. He would be a pass rush specialist at best this year anyway. I think he eventually becomes a linebacker.

 

[LighthouseGator]

Good List. One glaring omission: Chauncey Gardner. Wouldn't surprise me if received consideration for SEC freshman of the year. I think he'll be that good early (caveat: DB's mostly struggle for the better part of their first year).

For breakout redshirt freshman, I'd add Kylan Johnson.

 

[Gator Fever]

Massey, OL - Taylor and Perine

 

[GatorBart]

Good List. One glaring omission: Chauncey Gardner. Wouldn't surprise me if received consideration for SEC freshman of the year. I think he'll be that good early (caveat: DB's mostly struggle for the better part of their first year).

For breakout redshirt freshman, I'd add Kylan Johnson.

I agree - Gardner is going to be one BMF.
LT did list K. Johnson as a breakout RS freshman, right after T. Jordan - so in actuality, K. Johnson is the first one he listed.

 

[LongTooth]

thanks for the reminders on how woefully thin we were last year at OL. unreal. but they'll be good vets now.

yes, I have Kylan listed. gonna be a real good LB.

I was tempted to put Gardner in as a top choice, but Taylor's been getting some props recently and I haven't heard a ton about Chauncey lately, and I'm not sure the staff have decided exactly where they want to play him - CB or S. but I do think he'll come around as well.

someone has to come out of last year's and this year's WR corps to replace some of the potential production we look to lose from an injured Worton and a departed Robinson.

 

[LongTooth]

Not disputing anything you said LT, in fact, I think you put together a good list - just some clarification:

Tyler Jordan played quite a bit last year (played in all 14 games and started the last 3) - he'll be a Soph, as will K. Davis (played in 4 games, had 4 tackles), as will F. Johnson (played in 8 games, started 2).
Polite's listed at 271, not 230 (typo?).
Jaewon Taylor now listed at 6' 180lb (he shrunk).
Source: http://floridagators.com/roster.aspx?path=football

I was just going by Polite's weight when he signed. No doubt he's bulked up. 271? heck yeah!

I guess the humidity shredded some lbs off Taylor. and height? he'll get it back.

 

[GatorJ]

Good List. One glaring omission: Chauncey Gardner. Wouldn't surprise me if received consideration for SEC freshman of the year. I think he'll be that good early (caveat: DB's mostly struggle for the better part of their first year).

For breakout redshirt freshman, I'd add Kylan Johnson.

Yep. I didn't realize Gardner was missing. I think he'll be our main nickel.

 

[MertzJay26]

Can we get a list with the stars next to their names so I can tell who will actually be good?

Thanks in advance.

 

[LongTooth]

Yep. I didn't realize Gardner was missing. I think he'll be our main nickel.

wouldn't mind it if he's that good, but you think he'll pass Dawson that quickly?

 

[LighthouseGator]

Not sure how I missed that, as I read your post a few times to make sure I wasn't missing Johnson and Gardner. Eh, end of the day.

I have noticed the reports of Gardner at both spots. I read it to mean that the coaches are cross-training because he's too talented to keep off the field.

I agree about another WR needing to emerge (besides Massey). I had/have high hopes for Worton. Callaway will definitely replace the production from DRob and then some. It would be great if Fulwood became a deep threat with his size/speed, I just don't see it though (I don't think that's Del Rio's forte anyway).

 

[LongTooth]

Can we get a list with the stars next to their names so I can tell who will actually be good?

Thanks in advance.

Stars?

 

[LongTooth]

Not sure how I missed that, as I read your post a few times to make sure I wasn't missing Johnson and Gardner. Eh, end of the day.

I have noticed the reports of Gardner at both spots. I read it to mean that the coaches are cross-training because he's too talented to keep off the field.

I agree about another WR needing to emerge (besides Massey). I had/have high hopes for Worton. Callaway will definitely replace the production from DRob and then some. It would be great if Fulwood became a deep threat with his size/speed, I just don't see it though (I don't think that's Del Rio's forte anyway).

Callaway is the only guy lining up out wide right now that everyone is afraid of. And EVERYONE knows about him. He's going to get blanket coverage. Worton was looking like a dude who could excel in that situation as the number 2, and now we have to find someone else. Not worried about the schemes overall, cuz the TE's and RB's can make plays, but we have got to stretch the field vertically with more than one guy or it wont' happen. Spurrier had guys like that all over the place all the time.

 

[LighthouseGator]

I disagree slightly. Yes it would be helpful to have a guy to take the top off (which can be Callaway). I also think Lewis/Goolsby can stretch the field. And yes Callaway will get plenty of attention, but I see that opening space for the Powell/Massey speedsters on crosses (some of our most successful plays last year), seams/wheels for the TE's, and underneath to the RB's. I don't really see Mac's offense being dependent on the fly route, and I'm not sure Del Rio has the arm for it anyway.

Then again, I'm no Cover2 or Law when it comes to X's and O's, so that it what it's worth.

 

[GatorJ]

wouldn't mind it if he's that good, but you think he'll pass Dawson that quickly?

I think he will push him for it. I was hoping Duke would've locked it down by now.

After this year I think it will be Q and Chauncey on the outside.

Maybe Duke can surprise. He has the talent.

 

[LongTooth]

I disagree slightly. Yes it would be helpful to have a guy to take the top off (which can be Callaway). I also think Lewis/Goolsby can stretch the field. And yes Callaway will get plenty of attention, but I see that opening space for the Powell/Massey speedsters on crosses (some of our most successful plays last year), seams/wheels for the TE's, and underneath to the RB's. I don't really see Mac's offense being dependent on the fly route, and I'm not sure Del Rio has the arm for it anyway.

Then again, I'm no Cover2 or Law when it comes to X's and O's, so that it what it's worth.

You're right, Mac's system is likely a little more varied that even Spurrier's from what little I've seen. Not trying to sound heretical, but after Kirk Kirkpatrick's wonder season, TE pretty much disappeared from SOS's schemes. That's probably why he needed more pairings of fleet WR's to challenge secondaries. Yes, I think TE's and slot receivers can have a field day in Mac's schemes but when I'm thinking vertical, I'm not necessarily talking about hail mary's and fly patterns a la Ernie Mills vs Bama, but rather good 15 to 30 yard patterns and plays in the flat by wide side WR's that open up everything from 10 to 20 yards downfield for TE's, RB's and slot receivers who find the best mismatch on a particular play. Another WR who can help Callaway apply that pressure instead of being just an inconsequential player in that 11th position would make us very dangerous. Think Callaway and Robinson vs UT last year.

 

[LongTooth]

I think he will push him for it. I was hoping Duke would've locked it down by now.

After this year I think it will be Q and Chauncey on the outside.

Maybe Duke can surprise. He has the talent.

oh yeah, the next generation is rising for sure at DB. we'll see whose time has come sooner rather than later.

 

[EyeDocGator]

So after intense pessimism on this board for a few months following the bowl game, the last week has seen increasing optimism. It's a lot more fun being an optimistic fan. So Go Gators!. Let's run the table.