Coaching -
This offense is a blend of the Zaun Marshall pass happy O that finished right behind UF last year in the stats and the MTSU balanced pass/run offense of Larry Fedora. A lot of hurry up, no-huddle, shotgun and more pulling linemen out to block on runs, not so many draws anymore.
Coach Zaun is an unproven at Florida, but not in the SEC, having coached a couple of SEC title squads on offense at LSU in the 80's.
Coach Fedora, the RB coach, had a marvelously balanced, top ten offense at MTSU. Over 2,000 yds both running and passing.
His OL coach, Wickline, followed him. Joe knows how to train OL to both run and pass block and make them nastier. I went to school with him, trust me he knows what it takes to make them nasty.
Coach Dixon returns, one of the best WR coaches the SEC has ever seen, if not the best. Has had an All-SEC 1st or 2nd team WR every year since 1990 and currently has 10 WR's on NFL rosters with 6 starters this year. Brings a large knowledge of the Spurrier passing offense to merge with the Fedora/Zaun knowledge pool.
Tyke Tolbert is a well respected TE coach. Interned with 2 NFL teams during his 8 yr career, has coached in the SEC at LSU (Grad assistant) and AU.
Don't see any weaknesses here, try as I might. Does someone else see something I don't?
QB -
Rex - He is really on so far in preseason. Has the best efficiency rating in NCAA history and has thrown more TD passes than anyone in history in his first 2 years. What more could you want? Has become a total team leader.
Ingle Martin - AhHa. A weakness. Ingle, while a good looking QB who really took a quantum leap in the spring and another smaller one over the summer, is not at Rex's level. But who is? Still, if Rex goes down, championship talk will stop in Gainevsville. Although Ingle could still win a lot of games for us and put us in a BCS bowl.
RB -
Earnest Graham. Maybe the best in the SEC. A bullish back, hard to tackle, and decent speed. Fair receiver out of the backfield. When he plays well the Gators usually win.
Ran Carthon. Big (6-0, 215), fast, great bloodlines (Daddy is an ex pro FB with the NY Giants), great receiver. The biggest mystery of last year is why he wasn't used more. No one knows. When he has come in during the preseason there has been no drop off, he is 1-A with Graham. Hard hitting, he gives us a wonderful 1-2 punch.
Willie Green. A Graham type back in size and style. Possibly the 2nd best back to ever come out of Florida, he had almost 8,000 yds rushing and broke Emmitt Smith's TD record in HS. Has had a bad knee. They say it is finally healed. If he is truly back to his old self as they say, he is by far the best 3rd string back UF has ever had, or probably any other team. You have to see 'Smoke' run to understand. Just has moves you won't believe. Powerful and fast.
Backs wil be featured more under Zook and the blocking styles and plays have changed in order to make the ground game more productive. No weakness here and lots of talent behind them. Deep.
TE -
Aaron Walker - I hear UT folks talk about Witten. A-Walk may be better. He is Huge (6-6, 265), fast, and has the softest hands on the team. Plus he is going to be a featured receiver in the new offense. Great blocker. Look for him to catch 25 or more passes this year.
Ben Troupe - Almost as big as A-Walk (6-5, 255) and faster. He had a problem in the spring with catching the ball. That is past, has looked dazzling in the past few scrimmages. Look for the Gators to line him up at TE and then split him out into the slot, he is faster than a lot of WR's. He could really change the way some defenses have to play UF. Not as good a blocker as A-Walk but is working on it.
No real depth behind these two is a weakness.
WR -
Taylor Jacobs - a 10.4 100 meter man at 6-1 200 lbs. Benches 340 or more. One of the absolute best in the NCAA, a true senior AA candidate in both football and track.
Carlos Perez - 5-11, 202. Tough, strong, fast. Had 11 catches last year with 3 TD's, had several TD's called back due to penalties. Averaged 32.2 yards per reception his senior year in HS, top ten WR. He has been waiting for his chance behind Gaffney and Caldwell the past 2 years. A solid #2 guy.
Kelvin Kight - 6-0 201. 14 career receptions for 180 yards (12.9 average) and two touchdowns. Dazzling open field runner. Another top ten WR in HS. Also biding his time behind Gaffney and Caldwell. Was solid #3 but injured his thumb and his slid down to 2nd team, but should be back after healing. Maybe our best downfield blocker at WR.
Vernell Brown - 5-8, 165 lbs, benches over 350. Dad a former Gator DB, uncle a former Gator RB/QB, Cousin Mike Peterson a current NFL LB. Taken as a legacy, if he was 4 inches taller he would have been everybody's All-American. All state QB, and BB Point Guard. Quickest man on the field, one of the fastest. Has moves like a waterbug on speed. Makes a lot of big plays with the ball in his hands, had won a 2nd team CB role when Zook watched film of him playing offense this summer and decided he had to go over to offense because good things happen when Vernell has the ball. Watch for him to become a huge big play guy for the Gators this fall, as the 3rd/4th receiver he will generally be covered by a nickel back or safety and not many of them will be able to stay with him.
Lots of kids trying to break into the top 4. No weakness here.
OL -
OT - Max Starks. 6-8, down to 330, simply a massive giant with little fat on him. Daddy Ross Browner was a 2 time AA at ND. 6 relatives have played NFL ball. All SEC and AA potential. Very fast for his size, quick feet. Naturally left handed, loves the shift to LT. Only gave up 2 sacks at RT last year playing 15 lbs heavier.
OG - Shannon Snell. 6-5, 312, Daddy Ray was an NFL lineman. Smart, strong, All SEC and AA potential.
OC - Mike Degory 6-6, 305. Was voted most valuable player at state championships, a first for an offensive center. Only a RS FR. Beat out 5th year SR Jorgensen. Potentially the best center UF has ever fielded, expected to become a true star.
OG - David Jorgensen. Jorgy is 6-4, 310 and benches over 400 last I read. Dad played for ND. 5th year senior, was in bad graces after bad attitude in spring, has worked his way back up the charts. Recently grabbed starting RG role when Mo Mitchell had to go home for a couple of days to take care of personal problems. If he loses the role, he becomes our top backup at guard and center. Adds a lot of experience to the line.
OT - Jon Colon. 6-7, 310. Ha had it rough so far. Involved in famous double LOI signing with scUM, then scUM had his test score flagged several times with allegations of cheating. Finally made it to UF and played 124 downs as a FR. Very versatile, has practiced at Center, RG, LT, and now RT. May go back to RG when Mo Mitchell returns. Great feet and an aggressive attitude. Good at pulling out and burying people on the run. Very good pass rush blocker too with his long arms and quick feet. Another future star.
Backups are Mo Mitchell at OT, very good one, Lance Butler at OT and OG, and Randy Hand (True FR) at OG and OT. Depth a concern.
So I see depth at OL, QB, possible concerns about our 3rd receiver as areas to be addressed. That is it. Almost everyone has the same concerns, most a lot worse than this. So where is the this opinion that the Gators won't be an offensive juggernaut anymore coming from? Wishful thinking? I say UF leads the SEC yet again in passing and total offense this year and does a whole lot better rushing than they have since the mid 90's.
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