Spring Camp Primer: Gators Offense

Feleipe Franks showed drastic improvement in 2018, a big reason Florida improved by six wins in Dan Mullen's first season. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA Communications)

Spring Camp Primer: Gators Offense

Sunday, March 10, 2019 | Football, Scott Carter

By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – It's only been 10 weeks ago that the Gators closed 2018 with a victory over Michigan in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

In the aftermath of their 41-15 victory in Atlanta, quarterback Feleipe Franks was asked to explain his dramatic improvement in his second year as the team's starter.

"Just gained my confidence back. I don't think my confidence could have gotten any lower,'' Franks responded. "It just made football fun again."

✌️days... #SpringBall Details: https://t.co/qQKuhot6bm #GatorsTogether 🐊 #RelentlessEffort pic.twitter.com/NDsFmKNg5N
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) March 10, 2019

In their first season under Dan Mullen, the Gators improved from 4-8 to 10-3, quickly going from a downtrodden bunch to a group that enters 2019 with visions of an SEC East title and perhaps a more distinguished seat at the New Year's Six Bowl table.

The Gators have a long way to go between now and then, starting Tuesday when they open their second spring camp with Mullen in charge.

Franks spoke for many in the Orange & Blue camp when he said the Gators' turnaround last season made football fun again. Florida's offensive resurgence played a huge role. The Gators scored 40-plus points six times last season, matching the program's total of 40-point games over the previous six seasons.

The Gators averaged 426.7 yards per game to finish 42nd nationally. Those numbers won't make anyone forget the Fun 'N' Gun days, but considering the previous season – 335.9 yards and 110th nationally – they marked a drastic uptick in production.

With camp here, let's take a look at UF's offense heading into 2019:

QUARTERBACK

You have to go back to 2013 when, coming off an 11-2 season with Jeff Driskel taking snaps, the Gators entered spring camp with as clear-cut a starter as Franks is this spring. A redshirt junior, Franks regained his confidence and it showed in his numbers. He improved significantly in every major statistical category, throwing the most touchdown passes (24) by a UF quarterback since Tim Tebow (30) in 2008. The key for Franks is to continue to avoid costly mistakes – he threw just six interceptions in 2018 – and stay confident when things do go wrong. No one has ever questioned his physical gifts, but they have picked apart his mental approach based on body language when problems arise. Equally important is for Franks to continue to evolve into a team leader the Gators have lacked at the position too much over the past decade. The most intense battle in camp figures to be between backups Kyle Trask, a redshirt junior coming off a foot injury, and redshirt freshman Emory Jones. Trask has been unable to unseat Franks on the depth chart the past two seasons and enters his fourth year in the program still somewhat of a mystery. Jones has a skill set that fits Mullen's offense and flashed a strong arm and versatility in limited packages a season ago. With more knowledge and a year in the system, don't be surprised to see Jones get an increase in work to keep defenses guessing. Meanwhile, freshman Jalon Jones arrived in January and adds some charisma to the quarterback room and a relationship with Mullen and quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson that extends back to their days at Mississippi State when they first began recruiting him.

RUNNING BACK

62612 — The return of senior running back Lamical Perine provides the Gators with a talented veteran in the backfield. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA Communications)

The Gators must replace redshirt junior Jordan Scarlett, who opted to enter the NFL draft, but they are well-stocked at the position, led by senior Lamical Perine. Florida's leading rusher a season ago, Perine finished with 826 yards, seven touchdowns and averaged 6.2 yards per carry. He is primed for another big season if he stays healthy. Sophomore Dameon Pierce chipped in with 424 yards as a true freshman, often carrying much of the load late in games to keep Scarlett and Perine fresh. The biggest question mark is redshirt sophomore Malik Davis, who is coming off season-ending surgery for the second consecutive season. Davis, who played in three games before suffering a broken left foot, is the Gators' biggest breakaway threat when healthy and will compete for carries with Pierce as the No. 2 back. Redshirt freshman Iverson Clement projects to see an increase in workload this spring to get a better idea of where he fits. Perine is the clear leader among this group and while Mullen likes to spread the wealth, Perine could easily surpass his 134 carries from 2018.

RECEIVER

From top to bottom, this is the Gators' best receiving corps over the past decade. Starters Van Jefferson, Josh Hammond and Tyrie Cleveland all return. Cleveland suffered a broken collarbone in the win at Florida State and could be limited this spring. Trevon Grimes transferred from Ohio State and finished third on the team with 26 receptions. Freddie Swain, Kadarius Toney, Kyle Pitts, Jacob Copeland and Rick Wells add depth. Toney is a dynamic player with the ball in his hands and will continue to factor in as a runner in wild-cat packages. Pitts, a hybrid tight end/wideout, is an intriguing talent to watch, as is Copeland, one of the team's top recruits in 2018 who played sparingly late in the season. Jefferson decided to return for his final year of eligibility, which is a boost not only on the field, but as a veteran leader and mature voice in the receivers room. Cleveland remains perhaps the player with the most untapped potential among the group. He made his mark as a gunner on special teams last season as much as in the passing game (18 catches, 212 yards, 3 TDs). Look for his receiving numbers to improve if he is healthy and the offense continues to gradually improve in Mullen's second season.

TIGHT END

The Gators lose veterans C'yontai Lewis, Moral Stephens and R.J. Raymond from this group, but they are not hurting talent-wise. Sophomore Kyle Pitts, redshirt sophomore Kemore Gamble, redshirt freshman Dante Lang and redshirt junior Lucas Krull return for what should be one of the most competitive position battles this spring. Pitts was used at tight end and wideout last season and has perhaps the most physical gifts at the position. Krull has a combination of speed, size and soft hands that could earn him a bigger role in his second year in the program. Gamble is the leading returning receiver of the group, catching seven passes for 58 yards last season. Lang (6-5, 253) is a former defensive end who has tremendous upside as an athlete. As you can probably tell, a lot of unknowns on how this battle will play out, but it's hard not to like the possible outcomes considering the talent at the position.

OFFENSIVE LINE

57984 — Offensive line coach John Hevesy embarks on a quest to revamp Florida's offensive line this spring. (Photo: Matt Stamey/UAA Communications)

This is the position everyone will be watching closely this spring, no one more so than offensive line coach John Hevesy. Always the target of criticism from fans if the quarterback is pressured or a running play sputters, the Gators played capably up front in 2018 to help in the turnaround. However, four starters from a season go – Martez Ivey, Tyler Jordan, Fred Johnson and Jawaan Taylor – have exited the Swamp. The only returning starter is center Nick Buchanan, who beat out T.J. McCoy for the job in Mullen's first season. McCoy recently announced he is transferring for his final season of eligibility. Other than for Buchanan, the only retuning O-lineman with a start last season is tackle Stone Forsythe, who projects as one of the starting tackles this spring. Redshirt junior Brett Heggie is back and figures to start inside if he can stay healthy. Heggie has performed well during his career when given an opportunity but injuries have kept him from reaching his full potential. To help set the tone this spring in what figures to be a competitive battle throughout fall camp, the Gators signed four freshmen as mid-year enrollees to beef up the roster this spring: Ethan White, Will Harrod, Kingsley Eguakun and Michael Tarquin. The Gators also lost reserve Kavaris Harkless from last season, opening more doors for returnees such as Noah Banks, Jean Delance, Christopher Bleich, Richard Gouraige, Tanner Rowell and T.J. Moore. Another player expected to be in the mix come fall, redshirt freshman Griffin McDowell, is out due to a recent accident. McDowell tweeted he plans to come back stronger than before, which is good news since the Gators appear to need all the help they can to firm up a position group in search of a few good men.