Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Gators have practiced seven times since opening fall camp on Aug. 3, including the last three in full pads. However, due to classes still being in session, Coach Dan Mullen and his staff were forced to schedule practices around the players' academic responsibilities.

With Summer B classes over and the fall semester nearly two weeks away, Mullen said training camp is about to get ramped up a notch.

"Training camp kicks off tomorrow," he said Friday. "The initial phase is done after today. We'll move into the hotel tonight, and really kind of get into the meat of training camp where it goes all football. So, we've got to take some big steps forward over the next two weeks in training camp to keep going."

A major point of emphasis for Mullen will be how his team handles adversity and finishes practices. He said his team's performances have declined as the conditions have become more difficult, and that all starts with mental toughness.

"Our guys are working at it, and we're going to put them over the next two weeks in a lot of adverse situations, so that they learn to flip the switch the other way," he said. "As it gets harder, we go harder. As practice goes on, we get better and tougher. As the game goes on, we play harder and tougher. As the season goes on, we're a much more physical, tough and play-harder team at the end of the season than we are at the beginning. That's a mindset that we're trying to instill in the guys."
 

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WANTED: LEADERSHIP AT QB

What would a discussion of UF football be without mentioning the quarterbacks?

Mullen addressed the position following practice on Friday, saying that he would like to name a starter for the season opener against Charleston Southern prior to game week. He wouldn't rule out the possibility of naming a starter following Monday's scrimmage (more on the scrimmage later), but he said it would be unlikely because they haven't installed the entire offense yet.

He said the quarterbacks have a lot of responsibility in his offense, whether it's reading defenses, making checks at the line, making quick decisions in the passing game or working on techniques and fundamentals. However, he said his largest focus is on leadership.

"It's the body language, the leadership," he said. "It's tough on them. I'm sure it's a grind on them if you ask them. Because they'll sit there and be like, 'All right, I got the right read, I got the right technique there, Coach.' I'm like, 'Yeah, I don't like your body language after.' There's always something. It's learning to be a complete player, and that takes time."

Early in camp, Mullen said they are installing the entire offense and challenging the quarterbacks to not be complacent and constantly work on their weaknesses. Then, as the season draws closer, he and his staff will simplify the offense to better fit the skill-set of whoever the starter is.


 

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LETTING LOOSE

So, about the scrimmage. Aside from the obvious position battles, Mullen said he wants to see how his players react and play without coaches in their ears telling them what to do before every snap.

"This is your opportunity in a live scrimmage to not just execute and watch: 'I know the offense, I know the defense, I know where to line up,' " he said. "This is your chance to kind of put all that together and go make plays on top of it on either side of the ball and let it loose."

Football history is full of players who perform well in practice but can't seem to produce in games and vice versa. The bright lights of SEC stadiums cause some players to rise and others to crumble. The scrimmage will give Mullen and his staff an opportunity to evaluate players in as close to a game setting as possible. Mullen looks forward to discovering who his 'gamers' are.

"I want to see the guys that kind of when you step in the stadium, not just do it right but also kind of have another gear to go make a special play, make things happen," he said.
 

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O-LINE COMPETITION

At most positions, the most intense competitions are those for starting roles. However, Mullen said he's comfortable with the front-line offensive linemen, and the biggest competition will be for the third tackle, third guard and backup center jobs.

Florida returns its top six offensive linemen from a year ago, including preseason All-SEC First Team member senior Martez Ivey and 2016 Freshman All-American junior Jawaan Taylor. The six players have 108 starts among them and got stronger in Director of Strength and Conditioning Nick Savage's offseason program.

Developing quality depth is a priority for Mullen and offensive line coach John Hevesy.

"To me, the third tackle's got to be like a starter, the third guard's got to be like a starter, the backup center's got to be like a starter," Mullen said. "You got to have that in the rotation. It's making sure that we don't have five starters. We need eight starters on the offensive line and then two more backups beyond that really."

Lack of depth on the line hurt the Gators a year ago, with redshirt sophomore guard Brett Heggie and redshirt junior center T.J. McCoy suffering season-ending injuries.

Florida was unable to gain any traction in the running game or protect its quarterbacks in their absence, finishing ninth in the league in rushing and last in sacks allowed.

Mullen expects there to be very little drop-off between the starters and second unit.
 

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MOVING ON

The once-vaunted Gators defense took a step back in 2017, finishing sixth in the SEC in total defense and seventh in scoring defense. The 2018 squad will rely on some young players, particularly in the secondary and interior defensive line. The Gators must also adjust to coordinator Todd Grantham's new 3-4 scheme as they seek to reach the top of the mountain once again.

Mullen said he likes the Gators' pass rush and the swagger, energy and fun the unit plays with.

However, he wants the defense to become more physical and unleash that physicality on every snap. He also wants the younger players to do a better job of moving on to the next play.

"They go and make a great play and run the ball down," he said. "Well, I mean the ball's spotted, you got to play another one on the next one. The game's not over on that one play. You've got to go do it the next play. They're learning how to do all those things, but I think the more they get to see it on film and of themselves, the higher standard they can expect from themselves."