Gators Notebook: McElwain Pleased by O-Line's Progress, Injury Update, More Tidbits
Wednesday, August 26, 2015 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- As the end of preseason camp nears, Gators head coach Jim McElwain has a much different outlook about the offensive line than when spring practice ended four months ago.
An influx of new players -- and their solid performance in camp -- will do that to a coach's perspective.
“It's not something you want to make a living at obviously,'' McElwain said Tuesday night after practice. “I think it speaks about how those guys are coming [along] right now. I'm real proud of those young offensive linemen. They don't look out of place. They are grasping it, playing hard.”
Freshman Martez Ivey, the most highly touted of the newcomers, is getting significant reps with the first-team offense. Fellow freshman Fred Johnson has the look of a player who can contribute immediately.
And then graduate transfer Mason Halter, who has one year of eligibility remaining after he transferred from Fordham, can line up at multiple positions inside and outside.
“This guy is going to be able to play a lot of spots for us,'' McElwain said.
One of the country's top offensive line prospects as a senior at Apopka (Fla.) High, Ivey has been as advertised.
“He's done a really good job,'' McElwain said. “He's a guy that obviously you don't think of him as a freshman right now, the way he is playing.”
The offensive line's progress will factor greatly into the development of McElwain's offense in his first season in Gainesville.
While McElwain is comfortable rolling out more of the playbook with the offensive line's improvement, the pace must be realistic.
“As you open it, you've got to make sure that some of the other spots can handle it,'' he said. “The one thing [an improved offensive line] does do, is possibly allow you -- especially from a protection standpoint -- to hopefully get some deep ones in where you're not getting caved in on.
“We do have to push the ball vertically down the field. That's something we believe in and something that has been a part of our offense wherever we've been.”
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UNDER THE LIGHTS
The Gators officially break camp on Friday, and after taking Saturday off and focusing on academics Sunday, they will roll into typical game-week mode starting Monday.
Florida is practicing this week later at night to prepare for the first three games, which are all night games.
“We're trying to make sure we're on that timeclock,'' McElwain said.
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INDOOR FACILITY A HIT
The Gators practiced for the first time in their new $17 million indoor practice facility on Saturday. They spent a portion of Tuesday night's practice inside to escape the heat following Monday's off-day due to the start of classes.
Following seven months of construction, the facility has received rave reviews.
“It's a great facility. We're really excited to be in it,” McElwain said. “Guys were excited and we got a lot of good work done. Looked like some guys got their legs back. We're running with a little fire, and that's really good.”
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INJURY UPDATE
Safety Keanu Neal, injured in Friday's scrimmage, did not practice Tuesday.
“We're still working on his leg, to be determined,'' McElwain said. “What I try to do is keep those guys inside and get as much treatment as possible.”
Receivers Valdez Showers and Raphael Andrades have also been slowed by leg injuries.
Meanwhile, offensive lineman Travaris Dorsey (leg), receiver C.J. Worton (foot) and defensive lineman Thomas Holley (hip) practiced Tuesday.
Freshman defensive back Kylan Johnson remains sidelined due to leg injury suffered last week, but the diagnosis is positive.
“He won't need to get cut on, so he'll be back sooner than later, and that's great news for this football team,'' said McElwain, who has been impressed by Johnson's ability.
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QUOTE OF NOTE I
“We're getting there. You can start to feel it in the air a little bit.” -- McElwain on season opener quickly approaching
QUOTE OF NOTE II
“I feel like I'm having a better camp than I had in the spring. Jake McGee is helping me out a lot.'' -- Redshirt freshman tight end C'yontai Lewis
QUOTE OF NOTE III
“That's one of those deals that's obviously in the hands of the NCAA. At sheer numbers we have there, we'd sure like to have him. We won't know that until they make a determination.” -- McElwain on transfer quarterback Luke Del Rio, who has petitioned the NCAA to be eligible this season after transfer from Oregon State
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EXTRA RECEIVER
Graduate transfer Josh Grady arrived at Florida over the summer after playing receiver and quarterback at Vanderbilt.
Grady has taken snaps at quarterback but most of his reps of late have been at receiver.
“We are trying to find some guys that are consistently going to make some catches,'' McElwain said. “He's a guy that has played that.''
The Gators are also giving redshirt sophomore Alvin Bailey an opportunity to make an impact in the rotation. Bailey played in six games last season but did not have a catch.
“We're asking Alvin to really step up. He's a guy that's gotta make some plays for us,'' McElwain said. “He's got to be able to spell Brandon [Powell] in the slot and still be able to play some Z. We're looking for him to show up and be consistent in everything he's doing. We're asking a lot of those wideouts.”
