Gators' O-Linemen Know a Turnaround Starts Up Front

The Gators seek more consistency from their offensive line in 2018 as they try to rebound under first-year head coach Dan Mullen. (Photo: Alex de la Osa/UAA Communications)

Gators' O-Linemen Know a Turnaround Starts Up Front

Saturday, March 31, 2018 | Football

The unit played lethargic in the first half of Friday's scrimmage, but after some tough love from head coach Dan Mullen, the second half was better.

By: Ethan Hughes, FloridaGators.com correspondent

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The quarterback competition is the number one concern for most fans and media in Coach Dan Mullen's first spring camp with the Florida Gators, and rightfully so.

However, the development of the offensive line should be concern 1A.

In 2017, the Gators' offensive line paved the way for 156.4 yards per game rushing, good for only 10th in the Southeastern Conference. The line also surrendered 37 sacks in 11 games. Even with improved quarterback play and more depth at the skill positions, it will be extremely difficult for UF's offense to take the big step forward without drastic improvement from the offense line.

"They go as we go," senior offensive lineman Martez Ivey said. "If we come out slow, the whole offense [is] going to come out slow. We've got the most guys on the field. So, if we don't have [an] edge, nobody else [is] going to have an edge. It starts with us."

On Friday evening, the Gators held their first scrimmage of the Mullen era. In the first half, the offensive line picked up right where it left off in 2017 – porous and lifeless. The unit came out flat.

Redshirt sophomore quarterbacks Feleipe Franks and Kyle Trask – who worked exclusively with the 'ones' in the half – were under constant duress and given very little opportunity to make plays. Running backs took the handoff and were almost immediately surrounded by a wall of blue-clad defenders.

"First half was very slow," senior lineman Tyler Jordan said. "Our demeanor was very lethargic. Coach Mullen talked to us after, said 'This is the Swamp. We don't play at that standard.' "

Added senior Fred Johnson: "His message was just like 'get up and go' basically. No being timid. You mess up, you mess up at 100 percent speed, effort, all of that."

Redshirt junior center T.J. McCoy says Mullen also discussed the importance of playing with confidence.

"Coach Mullen pulled us to the side, and he said, 'you guys think you're doing bad, you guys are going to do bad,'" McCoy said. "He just talked to us about believing in ourselves. 'You guys [have] got to believe that you're going to go score.' "

The line responded to Mullen's message in the second half. With an emphasis placed on the running game, the offensive line looked energetic and rejuvenated and imposed its will at times.

In the half, sophomore running back Adarius Lemons took a handoff on a sweep play to the right. The offensive line and wide receivers opened a crease that Lemons slithered through. Lemons then turned on the jets, pulled away from defenders and scored on a 79-yard touchdown.

The line also protected the quarterbacks much better in the second half, allowing them time to capitalize on the additional time by throwing four touchdowns in the half, albeit two coming on coverage busts by young defensive backs.

"At halftime, we just let loose and had fun with it again," Johnson said.

"We just started believing in ourselves and playing with that attitude," added McCoy.

Now, the key for the offensive line is to find a way to play at a consistently high level, not just after getting called out by their coach.

There are several reasons to feel optimistic that the offensive line could become more consistent in 2018.

First, the Gators return their top six linemen. Because of the high levels of communication – both verbal and nonverbal – and cohesion required to play the position, experience is often considered crucial to success, more so than other positions.

"We're way more mature," Jordan said. "We're all a lot older than we were a couple years ago coming in. I think we're mature enough that we can go out there and beat any defensive line."

McCoy says the negative experience of last season will prove beneficial for the offensive line this season.

"I felt like we needed what happened to us last year," McCoy said. "We thought it was going to be our year last year, and it wasn't. We have a bad taste in our mouth, and we're just ready to prove everybody wrong and prove that we can be the strength of the team."

The Gators have a new offensive line coach, John Hevesy, who has brought a disciplined and intense approach to the position.

Hevesy brought a booming voice when the line was sputtering in the first half.

"Coach Hevesy's been really big on fundamentals and techniques," McCoy said. "We've got a new offense, and most of our install is done. Now it's just knowing how to do it. In my opinion, he's [director of strength and conditioning Nick Savage] on steroids when it comes to technique. He's a very intense guy."

Speaking of Savage, he has worked wonders in the offseason program by all accounts. Players have talked about the heightened intensity and standards in the weight room ad nauseam, and some have taken to social media to share pictures of their restructured bodies. At Pro Day on Wednesday, former Gators' defensive lineman Taven Bryan went as far as to say last year's team was the Pillsbury Dough Boys compared to the current squad.

McCoy says he feels Savage's workouts have made him stronger, and he is excited to have him on board.

"[Savage and his staff are] big on straining," McCoy said. "In my opinion, straining is just going past your limit of what you thought you could do to doing it even more. The one thing that he tells us every day after we work out is 'be a champion.' "

The Gators' offensive line has all the tools to be successful and has shown flashes in practices and games. Still, the question remains: can they do it consistently?