Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Gators are trying to replace eight starters from last year's defense. Friday night's Orange & Blue Debut spring game was a solid first step.

Florida's first-team defense lined up against the second-team offense led by quarterback Kyle Trask for the first half and one possession into the second. Yards were hard to come by.

"It was tough at times going against the best defense in the country," Trask said.

The first-string defense looked dominant. In the first half, the unit held Trask and Co. to 13 yards on 14 plays, allowing only a single first down. Defensive end Jabari Zuniga caused a sack-fumble that Trask recovered and defensive back Duke Dawson had a fumble recovery.



The one drive in the second half was more of the same. Luke Ancrum had a sack and pressure came constantly on Trask.

"I felt like Khairi Clark was in my face every play," Trask said.

After converting two third downs on the drive, Trask threw a ball into double coverage. Dawson deflected the pass and Vosean Joseph came up with an interception.

The starting defense held the Blue team to 12 yards on 10 rushes. Trask finished 4 of 13 for 31 yards and an interception against the first-teamers.

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CLAYTON SHOWS IMPROVEMENT

In Florida's defensive reload, the front seven came to play on Friday, boosted by the play of several untested players. Defensive tackle Kyree Campbell, an early enrollee, had the first tackle of the game, stuffing Jordan Scarlett.

Two members of the 2016 recruiting class stood out: defensive lineman Antonneous Clayton and linebacker Jeremiah Moon. Clayton was one of Florida's most prized recruits in that class but was unable to find a spot in the defensive rotation last year.
 

This was for a multitude of reasons. Clayton had an illness that caused him to drop from 235 pounds to 215 pounds before the season and he relied too much on his speed instead of proper technique, which does not usually work in the SEC.

Clayton's role for 2017 is looking clearer. The defensive end has boosted his weight to about 250 pounds. He says the game has slowed down for him and he wants to be in the defensive rotation, which seems very likely if Clayton continues to improve as his recent pace.

"I had a pretty good spring, but I really think I still have a while to go, like learning the plays or playing the proper technique," he said.

Clayton also is seen as a spark for the defense.

"I like his energy. He's like a hype guy, but he also knows how to chain it down and knows when to go or when not to go," cornerback Chauncey Gardner said.

"I'm always yelling, jumping around, dapping up my teammates,'' Clayton said. "Doing things like that to keep their heads in control. Keep everyone calmed down, keep everyone engaged in the game."

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RISING MOON

Jeremiah Moon could have a large role set out for him this season. His 6-foot-4 frame and quickness can make him a nightmare on defense.

Moon showed signs of his potential with an active performance in the spring game. He had five tackles and a pass break-up.

Gardner praised the redshirt freshman from Hoover, Ala.
 
"He's a freak," Gardner said. "He's a great player. He can cover, he can come off the edge and he can also get off blocks, that's the key thing in the SEC."

Florida head coach Jim McElwain had a very interesting take on what Moon can bring to the table in the future.

"He is really versatile because he can rush the passer, he can play some nickel, actually, against certain matchup teams, which is really going to help us because how long he is," he said.
Moon was humbled by his experiences last year – he appeared in two games but was injured and eventually redshirted -- and believes playing with the scout team and practicing against the starters made him better.

Other young members on the front seven are linebackers Joseph, David Reese and Kylan Johnson and defensive linemen Zuniga, Jachai Polite and Jordan Smith. CeCe Jefferson, Taven Bryan and Keivonnis Davis, along with Khairi Clark, will bring some experience to the group.

Clayton said he believes the defensive line could be really good despite the loss of Caleb Brantley, Joey Ivie and Bryan Cox Jr.

"We have a lot of guys who can make tremendous plays. It's pretty much like a tradition here,'' he said. "The great defensive linemen just keep coming and going [to the NFL]."

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SECONDARY SETTLES IN

Dawson considers his transition to cornerback in spring camp a success. He mostly played the nickel last year, but with Quincy Wilson and Teez Tabor declaring early for the NFL Draft, Dawson had to make the switch to the boundary.

He does not see the change as that big.

"It's basically the same thing, but the outside is bigger and more physical guys,'' he said. "In the slot, you have a lot of fast and quick guys. Me transitioning over isn't really too much of a problem."

Dawson is now a senior and has learned from many great cornerbacks and safeties ahead of him.



He played behind NFL players Vernon Hargreaves, Brian Poole and Keanu Neal, future NFL players Wilson, Tabor and Marcus Maye. He has become the oldest contributor at his position and will have a new role as mentor.

The lack of experience from the rest of the cornerbacks could be a problem. Gardner looked solid in the spring game, and is looking to improve on his 2016 season where he contributed mostly as a safety. He will most likely be the corner opposite of Dawson.

Gardner said the defense must play smart.

"In order to win games, you got to be a smart defense, not just to know what you're doing, but know what the next guy is doing," he said.

Chris Williamson, Joseph Putu and McArthur Burnett are other options to get time at corner. Putu was injured Friday and McElwain said he "got his eggs scrambled," but he should be fine.

Meanwhile, incoming freshmen Chris Henderson, Marco Wilson, Shawn Davis and Brian Edwards should be able to compete for some immediate playing time.
Nick Washington and Marcell Harris are solid at the safety positions and with the addition of Brad Stewart, should have decent depth.

There has been an ongoing debate about who the "real DBU" is in college football recently, but Gardner put that all to rest after the game on Friday.

"There is no DBU, there's no LBU, just all together as a Florida defense," he said. "We all play as one."

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BACKS SHOW OFF

Sophomore running back Jordan Scarlett showed why he had the most touches of all the running backs last year. His stats may not have been fantastic during the O&B Debut, but his vision and physicality made him look like a much better back than last year.

The Gators were 113th in rushing yards per game last year and 106th in yards per attempt. To be successful, they either need Scarlett to become more of a workhorse back or for Lamical Perine and Mark Thompson to step up their games.

Thompson had high expectations last year – he projected 1,000 yards in the first seven games – but in reality, he finished with 299 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. The highlight of his season was his 85-yard touchdown catch-and-run at the end of the first half against Iowa in the Outback Bowl. His big-play capability was on showcase on Friday night. He had runs of 18 yards and 27 yards, and 21-yard catch on third-and-11.

Thompson did fumble once, which was a big problem for him last season.

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TRASK HAS TIME

Although Trask struggled against the starters with the second-team offense, he looked sharp on his one drive with the starters. He went 2-for-2 with 35 yards and a carry for eight yards while leading the offense on a 61-yard touchdown drive.

Trask currently behind Feleipe Franks in the quarterback battle, but there are still three phases to go in Coach McElwain's six-phase program.

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FINAL WORDS

The starting defense looked sharp and should not suffer a huge drop-off from last season. The running game should be solid and the receivers are incredibly deep.

The biggest question mark remains whether the Gators can find consistent play at quarterback.

"I'm excited about this team," McElwain said. "I think we're going to be alright."