* Part 4
OFFENSIVE LINE
They're back: OT
Martez Ivey (6-5, 305, Junior); OT
Jawaan Taylor (6-5, 340, Sophomore); OG
Fred Johnson (6-6, 311, Junior); C
T.J. McCoy (6-1, 308, Sophomore); G/C
Tyler Jordan (6-4, 309, Junior), G
Kavaris Harkless (6-5, 310, R-Junior); G
Antonio Riles (6-4, 313, R-Junior).
Fresh faces: G
Brett Heggie (6-3, 317, R-Freshman); G/T
Stone Forsythe (6-7, 329, R-Freshman); G/T
Kadeem Telfort (6-6, 318, Freshman); G/T
T.J. Moore (6-6, 290, Freshman); G
Nick Buchanan (6-2, 301, R-Sophomore); G
Andrew Mike (6-6, 301, R-Junior); G
Nick Villano (6-2, 301, R-Sophomore); G/C
Tanner Rowell (6-2, 275, R-Freshman).
Martez Ivey
Overview: Remember the offensive line woes of two years ago when the Gators reported for camp with one — seriously, one — player who had started a Division I football game? Despite the lack of proven commodities up front, UF got off to a 6-0 start that season, but injuries and quarterback troubles (we know you remember those) led to a late-season tailspin of three straight losses, with the o-line a significant factor in the struggles on that side of the ball. Last year was a little better, though the Gators still had problems running the ball with any consistency (their 128.8 yards rushing per game ranked last in the league, as did the overall offense's 344.0 per game). But the 2017 offensive line, now under the direction new assistant
Brad Davis (by way of North Texas), has some stripes, not to mention some very good players, including six who have starting collegiate experience and at least one -- Ivey -- who could emerge as a superstar. Ivey, who spent most of his first two seasons playing guard, and Taylor, a pleasant surprise as a true freshman last season, are bookend tackles who will play on Sundays (likely as high draft picks). Ivey would have manned the left tackle spot sooner were it not for
David Sharpe, who started all 13 games last season, turned pro and was a third-round pick of the Oakland Raiders. Taylor's impact as a true freshman was instantaneous, as he was planted at the right tackle spot three games in, with Johnson sliding over to right guard. That's pretty much where things stayed for the balance of '16. McCoy, though undersized, held his own at center after taking over for injured
Cameron Dillard (now at North Carolina as a graduate transfer) and figures to be there again. In Ivey, McCoy, Jordan and Taylor, the Gators have four linemen back who started in UF's blowout defeat of Iowa in the Outback Bowl, plus Johnson, who started eight games on the right side of the line. Riles missed all last season with a knee injury, so his return is something of a bonus as far as depth. The Gators also have some up-and-comers the coaches believe have terrific promise, including Telfort, who got a nice jump as an early enrollee, and Moore, who played at the same high school in Charlotte, N.C. as former UF offensive line standout and first-round draft pick
D.J. Humphries, now with the Arizona Cardinals.
If the season started today: Put Ivey and Taylor down in black ink at the tackle positions, with a two-man combination of Heggie, Jordan or Johnson as the leaders in the clubhouse to start at guard — yes, Heggie had
that good an offseason — and flanking McCoy at center. The top backup candidates, for now, appear to be Moore at either tackle spot, followed by Tellfort also factoring on the left side and Forsythe on the right. If Jordan doesn't win one of the front-line guard spots, he'll be the first backup at all three inside positions, thanks to his versatility and experience.
Speculation: This is the best and deepest unit the Gators have had in probably five seasons and whoever is playing quarterback should feel pretty good about his protection in the pocket. Worth noting: If Notre Dame graduate transfer
Malik Zaire wins the quarterback battle, Taylor would become his blindside protection. Zaire is left-handed.
Next: Defensive line
The Series
Part 1:
Quarterbacks
Part 2:
Running Backs
