Gators Q&A: Receiver Alvin Bailey
Tuesday, August 25, 2015 | Football, Volleyball, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – When he was a quarterback/receiver as a junior at Armwood High, Alvin Bailey once connected with former Gators running back Matt Jones on an 80-yard touchdown pass to clinch a victory in the state championship game against Miami Central.
When Bailey was a senior, he played his final high school game here at Citizens Field a few miles from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, a 42-10 loss to a Gainesville High team featuring Chris Thompson, who is now Bailey's teammate at UF.
That November 2012 region championship is the last time Bailey recorded an official stat in a game. He was redshirted at UF in 2013 and played in six games a season ago on special teams and at receiver without showing up on the scoresheet.
The 5-foot-11, 192-pound Bailey remains a mystery. Will he contribute as a redshirt sophomore in 2015, or fade into oblivion as the program transitions to a new era under first-year coach Jim McElwain?
The opportunities are there for Bailey and other unproven players to crack the lineup if they can show the new coaching staff they can contribute.
Here is a Q&A with Bailey as he attempts to make an impact on the college level:
Q: Who are the receivers that can step up behind Demarcus Robinson and Brandon Powell?
A: I think we've got a bunch of playmakers. We are going to use mostly everybody … spread it out so everybody is going to get a chance to make plays, instead of it being the other team focusing on one player.
Q: Is this a complex offense for receivers to learn?
A: It's pretty much easier. Everything is laid out. If you don't know it, then it's not like this offense isn't for you. Coach Nuss [offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier] make it simple for every receiver to understand what they have to do on the play and everyone knows each assignment on film.
Q: What's it like as a receiver competing against the Gators' secondary at practice?
A: Going against our secondary is like going up against anybody in the NFL. I mean, we've got the best secondary I think in college football. You know you got Vernon Hargreaves, Brian Poole, Marcus Maye. You got guys like Jalen Tabor. How can it not be tough going against those guys?
Q: What are your personal goals this season?
A: I think I did pretty good with the offense [in spring practice]. Coach Nuss and Coach Mac, they sat us down, talking to the receiver group and said that they need players to step up and I think I've done that this camp.
Q: Most of your work coming from the slot?
A: A lot. A lot. Me and Brandon, we work with each other to get each other better each and everyday in the slot.
