Florida Gators
NCAA Championships (Day 2)
As Gators hold final practice, finalizing starting secondary at top of list for coaching staff
Thursday, September 1, 2011 | Football, Women's Tennis, Scott Carter
When defensive coordinator Dan Quinn took the Florida job, it was an opportunity to reunite with Gators head coach Will Muschamp.
The two worked together on Nick Saban's staff with the Miami Dolphins in 2005 and quickly formed a strong connection due to their similar coaching philosophies.
As they started evaluating the Gators' defense, Muschamp and Quinn quickly realized they had to build depth along the defensive line and at linebacker. They have done that by cross-training certain players and moving others, such as Sharrif Floyd, who is now playing defensive end instead of tackle.
With the season opener two days away, Quinn's top priority now is finalizing the starting secondary.
The Gators hold their final practice today and then will take a walk-through on Friday for Saturday's opener against Florida Atlantic. As of Wednesday evening, the staff continued to evaluate the potential starters in the secondary behind safety Matt Elam.
“It's hard not to know who will play beside you, but I just continue to push the other players so that they can get better,” Elam said. “I want to feel comfortable.”
So does Quinn.
“When you have some guys who haven't played a whole lot, sometimes the roles will emerge as it gets forward,'' Quinn said. “It's becoming more clear, although each day we kind of assess it and say, 'OK, who's going to give us the best options to win depending on the package?' We have some really talented young guys who need to play and establish some experience.''
The Gators knew they had holes to fill at the end of last season with the losses of safeties Will Hill and Ahmad Black. And then, shortly after Muschamp took over, he had to make one of his most difficult decisions by parting ways with All-SEC cornerback Janoris Jenkins for repeated off-the-field issues.
Cornerback Jeremy Brown was considered a probable starter on opening day, but Brown (knee) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game.
That leaves true freshman Marcus Roberson in position to start at one corner, and Moses Jenkins and Cody Riggs challenging for the other corner spot. Jaylen Watkins is also in the mix at corner.
Meanwhile, with Elam expected to start at one safety position, true freshman De'Ante “Pop” Saunders is contending for the other safety job. Returning players Josh Evans and Josh Shaw are also in the mix at safety.
If Roberson starts, he'll join former Gators Joe Haden and J. Jenkins as the only true freshmen in school history to start at cornerback on opening day. If Saunders and Roberson both start Saturday, it will mark the first time in school history that two true freshmen have started in the secondary on opening day.
Quinn likes the talent the secondary has, but the lack of experience has made deciding on the starters more difficult than normal.
“I'm looking forward to seeing them pull through because I think the leadership capabilities are there,'' Quinn said. “As you guys know, sometimes it's easier to lead when you have some games under your belt.”
As for Elam's emergence as the unit's most productive player in fall camp, Quinn saw why Elam was such a highly touted recruit coming out of high school.
“One of the things you look at [in the secondary] is a guy who can make plays on the ball,'' Quinn said. “That was early to me in my evaluation of Matt. This was a guy who did a good job of – not only was a good tackler and a good player, he had football savvy – he could really take the ball away.
“As a defensive player, that's a critical skill to have and it adds so much value to your team.”
Elam did not have an interception last season, and with Black and Hill combining for seven picks at safety in 2010, the Gators will need Elam's play-making ability.
