Freshman David Reese is one of Gator newcomers to make an impact and provide hope for the future. (Photo: Paige Santiago/For UAA Communications)
Young Players Gained Valuable Experience for Gators
Sunday, December 4, 2016 | Football
They said despite deflating loss Saturday to Alabama, talent is there to return to Atlanta.
ATLANTA -- The SEC Championship result will likely leave Florida Gators fans with a bitter aftertaste, but there is plenty to look forward to for this young roster.
Injuries decimated both sides of the ball this season, but if a silver lining exists, it was that it allowed the younger players to see far more playing time than they would have otherwise.
Looking toward the future, that live action will prove invaluable, both for those players and for the success of this team.
"A lot of guys stepped up and it's just good that everybody got some experience this year playing, especially in this big game," said redshirt freshman center T.J. McCoy. "[They] played at games like LSU, a lot of big-time football games, just building the foundation for our team.
"We can be a better team because of that."
McCoy was just one member of the offensive line that stepped in to replace a veteran. For him and players like sophomore guard Kavaris Harkless, seeing game time against some of the top defensive fronts in college football – LSU, FSU and Alabama – will provide experience that practice and film can never replicate.
"Of course you want to practice like the game, like the practice is the game," Harkless said. "But at the same time, the game gives you a different type of experience. It gives you more of a better, a faster experience than practice does. So, all those snaps where people had to step up and come in the game, they're valuable because at the end of the day, that's going to help us get better."
In that situation, there will always be growing pains.
Oftentimes, a team forced to play the inexperienced players on its roster encounters a very difficult season. Winning a division at any level given the injuries the Gators endured this season warrants credit.
In doing so, Florida has placed itself in a unique position where roster turnover isn't necessarily something to lose sleep over entering this offseason.
And the players know it. In fact, many are already setting their sights on a return to Atlanta in preparation of next season.
"I think we're going to turn into a better defense than we were this year, just because the younger guys, they got a chance to play," freshman linebacker Kylan Johnson said. "So we'll be on top next year."
When Johnson and fellow rookie linebacker David Reese took over for Jarrad Davis and Alex Anzalone, many expected it to be a big hit to the defense. This was far from the case. The young backers performed far beyond their experience, doing much to affirm success for the Gators' middle in the coming years.
Reese had a memorable moment in his first SEC Championship Game by returning a blocked PAT 98 yards for a 2-point defensive PAT. Freshman defensive back Chauncey Gardner is another first-year player who gained valuable experience down the stretch due to injuries to starters.
Of course, the offense is what will attract the most attention. After the Gators struggled to remain consistent on that side of the ball, many questioned how the direction will be affected with continued turnover at quarterback.
Speaking on the two young signal-callers who are expected to compete in the spring, freshman receiver Freddie Swain said that the connection was "definitely there," noting that he had taken reps with each of the four quarterbacks prior to the start of this season.
In the meantime, rookie quarterback Feleipe Franks spoke on the value of spending a year on the sideline.
"I've been there, I've played the game, I know what they're doing," Franks said. "I know a lot about what they're doing. I think it's one thing for me to do that and just learning it from them has meant a lot this year. That's a big thing for me."
More than anyone else, Franks said that fifth-year senior quarterback Austin Appleby has had a significant impact on his preparation both on and off the field. He also emphasized how the veterans on Florida's offense did an outstanding job of teaching the younger guys how to prepare as starters.
When the time comes, that preparation could be all the difference.
Injuries decimated both sides of the ball this season, but if a silver lining exists, it was that it allowed the younger players to see far more playing time than they would have otherwise.
Looking toward the future, that live action will prove invaluable, both for those players and for the success of this team.
"A lot of guys stepped up and it's just good that everybody got some experience this year playing, especially in this big game," said redshirt freshman center T.J. McCoy. "[They] played at games like LSU, a lot of big-time football games, just building the foundation for our team.
"We can be a better team because of that."
McCoy was just one member of the offensive line that stepped in to replace a veteran. For him and players like sophomore guard Kavaris Harkless, seeing game time against some of the top defensive fronts in college football – LSU, FSU and Alabama – will provide experience that practice and film can never replicate.
"Of course you want to practice like the game, like the practice is the game," Harkless said. "But at the same time, the game gives you a different type of experience. It gives you more of a better, a faster experience than practice does. So, all those snaps where people had to step up and come in the game, they're valuable because at the end of the day, that's going to help us get better."
In that situation, there will always be growing pains.
Oftentimes, a team forced to play the inexperienced players on its roster encounters a very difficult season. Winning a division at any level given the injuries the Gators endured this season warrants credit.
In doing so, Florida has placed itself in a unique position where roster turnover isn't necessarily something to lose sleep over entering this offseason.
And the players know it. In fact, many are already setting their sights on a return to Atlanta in preparation of next season.
"I think we're going to turn into a better defense than we were this year, just because the younger guys, they got a chance to play," freshman linebacker Kylan Johnson said. "So we'll be on top next year."
When Johnson and fellow rookie linebacker David Reese took over for Jarrad Davis and Alex Anzalone, many expected it to be a big hit to the defense. This was far from the case. The young backers performed far beyond their experience, doing much to affirm success for the Gators' middle in the coming years.
Reese had a memorable moment in his first SEC Championship Game by returning a blocked PAT 98 yards for a 2-point defensive PAT. Freshman defensive back Chauncey Gardner is another first-year player who gained valuable experience down the stretch due to injuries to starters.
Of course, the offense is what will attract the most attention. After the Gators struggled to remain consistent on that side of the ball, many questioned how the direction will be affected with continued turnover at quarterback.
Speaking on the two young signal-callers who are expected to compete in the spring, freshman receiver Freddie Swain said that the connection was "definitely there," noting that he had taken reps with each of the four quarterbacks prior to the start of this season.
In the meantime, rookie quarterback Feleipe Franks spoke on the value of spending a year on the sideline.
"I've been there, I've played the game, I know what they're doing," Franks said. "I know a lot about what they're doing. I think it's one thing for me to do that and just learning it from them has meant a lot this year. That's a big thing for me."
More than anyone else, Franks said that fifth-year senior quarterback Austin Appleby has had a significant impact on his preparation both on and off the field. He also emphasized how the veterans on Florida's offense did an outstanding job of teaching the younger guys how to prepare as starters.
When the time comes, that preparation could be all the difference.
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