Media Day, Start of Camp Here for Gators

Dan Mullen is a month away from his first game as Florida's head coach. (Photo: Courtesy of ESPN College GameDay)

Media Day, Start of Camp Here for Gators

Wednesday, August 1, 2018 | Football, Scott Carter

By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In what has been an eventful week for Florida's football team – and to state the obvious, not exactly the kind of buzz anyone associated with the program desires – there is a fresh start on tap Thursday.

The Gators, nine months since head coach Dan Mullen returned to town, report for the start of preseason camp. Florida's annual Media Day highlights the first day and is scheduled to open with Mullen's press conference at 11 a.m.

The Gators officially begin camp when they practice for the first time this season on Friday afternoon.

You can watch a live YouTube stream of Mullen's press conference and those of co-offensive coordinator John Hevesy and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham below:

Meanwhile, the tone Thursday is expected to be different from the one in Atlanta on July 17 when Mullen appeared at the SEC Media Days with seniors Cece Jefferson and Martez Ivey, and junior David Reese. On a warm, sunny day along Marietta Street, Mullen bounced from the College Football Hall of Fame and Omni Hotel in his new pair of Gator-themed Jordan sneakers for interviews and photo ops.

Mullen's first summer back at UF had been relatively quiet with few off-the-field incidents that sometimes cause coaches headaches this time of year.

"I've been very fortunate taking over the program,'' Mullen said. "Our guys have bought in. That's what we've been able to see, is a bunch of players buy in to what we're trying to build, through the offseason program, through spring practice, in the classroom, in the community, in every way buying in and having a great attitude to try and go build this program back up and be successful."

In the two weeks since SEC Media Days, the Gators' humdrum summer took a disruptive turn when true freshman Justin Watkins was suspended from all team activities following his arrest on July 24.

The next day, news surfaced about an on-campus incident that happened in late May involving several players, including two – Kadarius Toney and Kyree Campbell – who allegedly wielded airsoft guns.

In the days since, more information about the confrontation has been reported to halt the positive momentum the program built since Mullen's hire in late November after nine seasons as head coach at Mississippi State.

Still, the season opener is just a month away and that means a return to the grind of the season for coaches and players. While Mullen is certain to face some tough questions Thursday, much of the focus will remain on what kind of team Florida fans can expect in his first season.

The biggest question, of course, is whether Feleipe Franks, Kyle Trask or freshman Emory Jones – or a combination of the trio – will be the quarterback.

There are injury concerns, too, most notably whether offensive lineman Brett Heggie or running back Malik Davis will be able to contribute immediately following season-ending knee injuries last season.

Finally, the status of transfer receivers Van Jefferson and Trevon Grimes remains uncertain, which was not expected to be the case this late into the summer.

Check out FloridaGators.com on Thursday to read what Mullen and others had to say at Gators Media Day, and check out @GatorsScott, @GatorsChris, @GatorsFB and @FloridaGators on Twitter for an array of real-time information and social media content.

For now, here is a look at the links below at each position group heading into camp from colleague Chris Harry:

The Series
Part 1: Quarterbacks
Part 2: Running backs
Part 3: Receivers
Part 4: Offensive line
Part 5: Defensive line
Part 6: Linebackers
Part 7: Defensive backs
Part 8: Special Teams