Countdown to Camp: Receivers & Tight Ends

Antonio Callaway led UF with 54 catches, 721 yards and three touchdowns in 2016.

Countdown to Camp: Receivers & Tight Ends

Thursday, July 27, 2017 | Football, Chris Harry

It's the deepest group on the team, according to UF coach Jim McElwain.

By: Chris Harry, Senior Writer

* Part 3

RECEIVERS

They're back: WR Antonio Callaway (5-11, 197, Junior); WR Brandon Powell (5-9, 184, Senior); TE DeAndre Goolsby (6-4, 244, Senior); TE C'yontai Lewis (6-4, 231, Junior); WR Tyrie Cleveland (6-2, 196, Sophomore); WR Josh Hammond (6-1, 186, Sophomore); WR Freddie Swain (6-0, 186, Sophomore).

Fresh faces: WR Dre Massey (5-9, 180, R-Junior); WR Rick Wells (6-0, 206, R-Freshman); TE Kemore Gamble (6-3, 241, Freshman); WR Daquon Green (6-1, 187, Freshman).

Tight end DeAndre Goolsby was third on the squad with 38 receptions and tied for team lead with 3 TDs.

Overview: During spring, UF coach Jim McElwain declared his collection of wide receivers as the deepest room on the team. Roll in a couple battle-tested tight ends and the Gators appear to have proven weapons on the back end of their passing game. How 'bout seven of the team's top eight receivers back, starting with the best of the bunch in Callaway (54 catches, 721 yards, 3 TDs). Granted, there's a question mark relative to Callaway's status heading into the regular season, based on an offseason incident, but the guy who has proven to be the offense's most dangerous playmaker the previous two seasons will be on the field and getting his touches. Callaway is at the forefront of a corps loaded with speed, alongside the likes of Powell (45 catches, 387 yards, 2 TDs), Hammond (14 catches, 177 yards) and Massey, the heralded junior-college transfer who figured to play a big role last season only to suffer a season-ending knee injury on the 2016 opening kickoff against Massachusetts. Hammond played so well in the spring that he took a huge chunk of first-unit reps, while Massey is expected to share time with Powell at the slot-receiver spot. And then there's Cleveland (14 catches, 198 yards, 2 TDs), one of the marquee names of last year's rookie class. He certainly had his moments as a freshman, none bigger than his 98-yard TD at LSU. His size and physicality create matchup problems for corners in man coverage -- and he can run. Swain (8 catches, 118 yards, 2 TDs) missed the spring nursing a shoulder injury, but will be fine for camp. As for tight ends, Lewis (14 catches, 184 yards, 2 TDs) and Goolsby (38 catches, 342 yards, 3 TDs) head into the season as Options 1 and 1A at the position. Lewis has an edge when it comes to run-blocking, but Goolsby is the more sure-handed of the two. Gamble was an early enrollee who caught the coaches' eyes in the spring and has a shot to see some time as a true freshman.

If the season started today: The first offense would likely run out Callaway and Hammond on the outside, Powell manning the slot, with the tight end situation between Lewis and Goolsby close enough to be left to matchups. Whatever the case, lots of guys are going to be given opportunities to make plays downfield.

Speculation: Everyone has seen what Callaway is capable of and guys like Hammond and Cleveland are candidates for breakout seasons. But how productive the receivers are, obviously, will be a byproduct of how successful an offense that has mostly struggled develops in McElwain's third season — and that involves the running game, pass protection, quarterback play, etc. Florida fans hope this is the year unit makes a move from the bottom of the Southeastern Conference statistical standings.

Next: Offensive line

The Series
Part 1: Quarterbacks
Part 2: Running Backs