Gators to Open Spring Practice on March 9

Head coach Jim McElwain and the Gators return to the field on March 9 for the start of spring camp. (File photo)

Gators to Open Spring Practice on March 9

Wednesday, February 17, 2016 | Football, Scott Carter

School-record 12 early enrollees to start UF careers

By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The defending SEC East champion Florida football team opens spring practice on March 9.

Coming off a 10-4 season in the first year under head coach Jim McElwain, the Gators will have a different look in 2016. That makeover starts this spring when a school-record 12 early enrollees start their UF careers.

McElwain has a press conference scheduled March 8 to preview the start of spring camp. The next day is the first of 15 spring practices, which conclude with the annual spring game on April 8. The Orange & Blue Debut, presented by Sunniland, will be at night for the first time. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and admission is free.

The group of newcomers includes a pair of freshman quarterbacks in Feleipe Franks and Kyle Trask. In addition, the Gators added fifth-year graduate transfer Austin Appleby from Purdue as another option in the quarterback competition. Meanwhile, redshirt junior quarterback Luke Del Rio, who had to sit out last year due to NCAA rules after transferring from Oregon State, factors into what figures to be an interesting quarterback competition.

The Gators lost several key players from last season, highlighted by defensive lineman Jon Bullard, defensive backs Brian Poole, Keanu Neal and Vernon Hargreaves III, linebacker Antonio Morrison, tight end Jake McGee, running back Kelvin Taylor, receiver Demarcus Robinson and offensive lineman Trip Thurman.

Those players will participate in UF's Pro Day, which is scheduled March 22.

Still, the Gators will enter 2016 riding the momentum of a comeback season for the program in McElwain's first season. Florida, picked to finish fifth in the SEC East, opened 10-1 before losing its final three games to Florida State, Alabama and Michigan in the Citrus Bowl.

The only change on the coaching staff is the addition of former Virginia Tech assistant Torrian Gray, who replaced Kirk Callahan as the defensive backs coach.

The Gators open next season on Sept. 3 at home against UMass.

A look at Florida's spring practice dates: March 9, March 11, March 14, March 16, March 18, March 21, March 22 (Pro Day), March 23, March 24, March 28, March 30, April 1 (open), April 4, April 5 and April 8 (Orange & Blue Debut).