GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Orange & Blue Game is Saturday, a final glimpse at the Gators as we know them in April 2019.
The spring version of a major college football team is always a temporary model. By the time the Gators open the season Aug. 24 against Miami, more than a dozen new players will be on the roster. There is likely to be another departure or two, which is usually the case over the summer months.
Second-year Gators head coach
Dan Mullen was asked this week what he hopes to have accomplished by the time he walks off Florida Field on Saturday.
"You're hoping to see a foundation of guys who are ready to go play,'' he said. "Obviously you already feel good about a bunch. For us, the biggest thing is we've got to continue to build depth."
The most scrutinized position group in spring camp has been the offensive line, a unit that must replace four starters from last season. With four true freshmen in camp and only one returning starter in center
Nick Buchanan, the offensive line's inexperience has been evident at times.
Perhaps none more than late last week when offensive line coach
John Hevesy spent a half hour after practice defining expectations in his not-so-subtle style following a sloppy day on the field.
"The little mess-ups turned into big mess-ups,'' said redshirt junior
Stone Forsythe, who has worked primarily at left tackle. "We need a couple of guys to step up right now."
In discussing his team's performance this spring, Mullen has been quick to remind everyone that the Gators don't play a game for five months. Prior to facing Miami in Orlando, the players have all summer and 25 practices to improve and develop more defined roles.
The most important part of spring camp is individual player development. Finalizing depth charts, scouting Miami and opening the playbook beyond a base package comes later.
The spring game is primarily an opportunity to get a better evaluation of young players, many taking their most significant snaps since setting foot on campus.
Along those lines, here is a quick summation of those players who have garnered attention this spring (in order of uniform number):
Lamical Perine: No longer No. 22, Perine is now No. 2. He has done nothing in camp that suggests he won't be the No. 1 option at running back next season.
S Brad Stewart Jr.: He has drawn praise from Mullen for better understanding the defense and remains a key piece of Florida's secondary.
CB Marco Wilson: Coming off a season-ending knee injury, Wilson appears close to returning to full speed and has participated in more drills during camp than many expected.
DB/LB David Reese: A redshirt freshman, Reese's no-nonsense approach and physical gifts are evident as he makes a bid to get on the field, perhaps as an edge rusher and on special teams.
WR/ATH Kadarius Toney: The dynamic junior has flashed the same play-making skills we saw last season and is projected to be one of the team's top offensive threats in 2019.
CB CJ Henderson: He established himself as one of the top defensive backs in the Southeastern Conference last season and has looked the part in the spring. The Gators know they have a player who opponents must game-plan around.
Redshirt freshman Emory Jones is expected to get plenty of snaps in Saturday's Orange & Blue Game. (Photo: Alex de la Osa/UAA Communications)
QB Emory Jones: The sophomore is clearly more acclimated to the college game and has shown progress as a passer. He offers a nice change-of-pace for the offense and has a deeper understanding of Mullen's system in Year 2.
DB Brian Edwards: More than once this spring Edwards has shined at practice by picking off passes. As he enters his junior season, Edwards is making a case for more playing time.
OLB Jeremiah Moon: The redshirt junior has sat out this spring due to a foot injury. He will seek to get back on the field over the summer and get in the mix at the hybrid "Buck" position
Jachai Polite occupied last season.
WR Trevon Grimes: A player who has stood out this spring for his play and energy. Grimes is never hard to find on the field and is primed for a breakout season his second year in the program.
WR Josh Hammond: The veteran leader isn't flashy but remains a steady influence on and off the field as he enters his final season.
QB Kyle Trask: He has shown the foot injury that ended his 2018 season is healed. The inexperienced Trask should get a lot of snaps Saturday as he works to make his mark at this level.
WR Van Jefferson: He returned for his final season of eligibility to improve his draft stock. Jefferson is a key piece of the passing game and a player his teammates clearly respect for the way he approaches the game.
DB C.J. McWilliams: A redshirt junior, McWilliams has flown under the radar for most of camp but does provide experienced depth after starting two games a season ago.
QB Feleipe Franks: Following his best season in 2018, Franks has emerged as a team leader and has had his best camp with the Gators. He continues to work on improving his accuracy, but Franks has shown no signs of regressing.
S Donovan Stiner: The junior from Houston established his place in the lineup last season and like Stewart, Stiner has been tested to reach the next phase in his development this spring.
TE Lucas Krull: In his second year in the program, Krull missed the middle portion of spring camp due to a shoulder injury. However, Mullen emphasized early that Krull is a player the Gators view as a versatile threat. Although he is unlikely to play on Saturday, he will be fully healthy for offseason workouts and fall camp.
WR Jacob Copeland: He was hobbled by a leg injury the first week of camp but is back on the field and figures to get reps in Saturday's game as he contends for playing time as a redshirt freshman.
WR Freddie Swain: A much more confident player this spring than a year ago following a breakout season and success as a punt returner.
DL Zachary Carter: A redshirt sophomore, Carter has cross-trained at defensive end and tackle this spring as he attempts to crack the regular rotation up front.
QB Jalon Jones: The true freshman enrolled in January and has quickly made his presence felt in the locker room with his engaging personality. As expected, focus is on improving as a passer and getting acclimated to collegiate level.
K Evan McPherson: Second-year player was impressive as a freshman. Maybe he'll get a chance to kick one from beyond 50 yards on Saturday.
RB Malik Davis: The redshirt sophomore has been one of the best stories of spring camp. Davis has flashed the speed and cutting ability he is known for after suffering a second consecutive season-ending injury in 2018.
Graduate transfer Jonathan Greenard has made his presence felt in his first camp with the Gators. (Photo: Alex de la Osa/UAA Communications)
DB Trey Dean III: The versatile sophomore has worked primarily at the "star" position vacated by
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. Dean's physical talent is obvious. The goal is for him to have a better understanding of the position by fall.
CB Chris Steele: He has been thrown immediately into the mix at cornerback after arriving on campus in January. He's suffered his share of growing pains, but overall, Steele looks like a player who will contribute next season.
DB Jaydon Hill: A mid-year enrollee from Huntsville, Ala., Hill's task primarily has been to get accustomed to the program. He suffered a season-ending knee injury his final prep season and has stayed out of contact drills this spring.
RB Iverson Clement: The redshirt freshman got the bulk of the carries in Florida's first scrimmage of camp and figures to get plenty of work Saturday as he tries to crack the backfield rotation.
DB John Huggins: He has passed the eye test in camp with multiple big plays that drew a round of applause from fans in attendance. Has look of a player on rise in his second season in program.
DB Quincy Lenton: In his fourth year in program, Lenton is coming off a torn Achilles tendon that kept him off the field in 2018. Has ground to make up if he is going to become a regular in the secondary.
RB Dameon Pierce: Powerful sophomore has continued to progress in learning nuances of position following solid freshman season. Pierce is primed for bigger role.
LB Kylan Johnson: The fifth-year senior from Texas announced prior to camp that he will transfer to play his final season of eligibility elsewhere.
DB Jeawon Taylor: A senior leader who has split reps as a starter and reserve during his career. A key communicator in secondary this spring.
LB Amari Burney: If there has been a breakout player this spring for the Gators, it's probably Burney, who appears the front-runner to replace
Vosean Joseph. Burney garnered praise from coaches and teammates from the start of camp.
DB Shawn Davis: Missed time early in camp but has returned and made some splash plays. Davis is a physical player who figures into the safety rotation.
LB David Reese II: He is healthy after an ankle injury hobbled him in 2018 and highly motivated to finish his stellar career in strong fashion.
LB Lacedrick Brunson: A redshirt sophomore, Brunson has taken his most significant reps this spring as he competes for regular playing time. Has shown an ability to cover tight ends and running backs.
DL Malik Langham: A redshirt freshman, Langham is on a similar routine as Carter, cross-training at defensive end and tackle for a better evaluation where he may fit.
LB Jesiah Pierre: The true freshman has received reps at the edge rush position the Gators need to fill. Jury's still out on whether he is ready to make an impact in first year.
LB James Houston IV: A relatively quiet camp overall for Houston, who has shown an ability to make plays when on the field.
P Tommy Townsend: Has trained with brother and ex-UF punter
Johnny Townsend this spring as he prepares for his final season.
LB Rayshad Jackson: The fifth-year senior has worked primarily as a reserve and with Johnson's departure, he is the most experienced member of position group.
LB Mohamoud Diabate: Another mid-year enrollee who has been challenged right from the start, taking reps at the "buck" position as defensive coordinator
Todd Grantham explores all options.
Offensive line coach John Hevesy has a rebuilt unit in his second year back at UF. (Photo: Marco Martines/UAA Communications)
LS Jacob Tilghman: He won't get much ink unless something goes wrong, but Tilghman has replaced veteran
Ryan Farr at a key position on special teams.
LB Ventrell Miller: A redshirt sophomore, Miller came on late last season and stood out in Florida's first scrimmage of camp in pass coverage.
OL Noah Banks: Fifth-year senior has missed camp due to health concerns but could be a factor in the fall when cleared to return because of his experience and versatility.
DT Kyree Campbell: Campbell has taken bulk of his reps with first-team and is a rising junior who according to teammates has become more of a vocal leader.
OL Jean Delance: The redshirt junior, who started his career at Texas, appeared in only four games a season ago but has emerged as the primary starter at right tackle in spring camp.
DT Tedarrell Slaton: Opened last season as a starter but dropped to second-team behind Campbell. Has played physical in camp as he attempts to establish his presence in lineup.
DE/LB Jonathan Greenard: Transfer from Louisville has stepped into "buck" position played by Polite in 2018. A grad transfer, Greenard has look of a seasoned player who knows what he is doing.
OL Brett Heggie: One of few UF offensive linemen with starting experience, Heggie has taken bulk of reps at left guard on first-team this spring. Staying healthy will be key for injury-plagued Heggie.
OL Griffin McDowell: A 6-foot-3, 295-pound redshirt freshman, McDowell projected to be a factor in the battle to start until he suffered an injury during a scooter accident in the offseason. McDowell has missed camp but is expected to be ready by fall.
OL Michael Tarquin: One of four true freshmen offensive linemen who joined the Gators this spring, Tarquin has been praised for his advanced footwork for a newcomer. He still must develop to become a contributor.
OL Kingsley Eguakun: Another true freshman up front, Eguakun has received a lot of reps as the backup center and has a competitive streak that stands out to his teammates. He has carved out a niche in short time in program.
C Nick Buchanan: Florida's only returning offensive lineman who was a regular season in 2018, Buchanan has anchored a young unit this spring and tried to lead by example.
OL Christopher Bleich: The 6-foot-6, 321-pound Bleich has received most of the reps at right guard with the first-team offense. Bleich figures notably into the plans next season but specific roles remain cloudy.
OL Tanner Rowell: The former defensive lineman moved to the offensive line this spring to provide depth and another player to develop.
OL Stone Forsythe: In his fourth year in the program, Forsythe has emerged as the leading candidate to start at left tackle. Forsythe has split time on the right and left sides in his career as a backup.
OL Will Harrod: True freshman from Maryland has focused on getting acclimated and improving his physical condition to see if he can seriously challenge for a position in fall camp.
OL T.J. Moore: The redshirt sophomore from the same North Carolina high school that produced former Gators O-lineman D.J. Humphries has worked mostly on the second-team at guard.
OL Richard Gouraige: Like others at his position group, this is Gouraige's most extended work since joining the program. Gouraige has worked at right tackle with the second team and will be pushed to raise the bar over the summer.
DL Antonneous Clayton Sr.: A redshirt junior, Clayton participated in the first five practices of spring camp before announcing his intention to transfer. He posted on social media recently that he plans to continue his career at Georgia Tech.
OL Ethan White: The true freshman from Clearwater arrived at more than 390 pounds. He has shed a ton of weight since he joined the program and has worked down the depth chart this spring.
TE Dante Lang: Among a talented crop of tight ends, Lang has received a steady amount of reps and made some notable catches this spring. He seemingly has positioned himself for more opportunities in the fall.
WR Rick Wells: He has spent the spring in a reserve role. A redshirt junior, Wells appears a long shot to crack the top six at receiver unless he blows the coaches away in fall camp.
Kyle Pitts, No. 84, has shown he is a talented pass catcher.
TE/WR Kyle Pitts: He has been one of the young players on offense to make a strong case for an expanded role as a sophomore. Pitts has utilized his versatile athleticism and soft hands at receiver and tight end during camp.
TE Kemore Gamble: With tight end a priority in Mullen's offense, Gamble figures to play a bigger role as a redshirt sophomore. His best work this spring may have been in the weight room. He said he has gone from a bad 250 pounds to a good 250.
WR Tyrie Cleveland: Entering his senior season, Cleveland seems focused in camp and out to prove his value in the passing game. He has added some upper body muscle after his 2018 season ended with a broken collarbone.
LB/DL Andrew Chatfield Jr.: Another young player who has taken reps at the "buck" position, Chatfield has racked up several sacks this spring to show that he might be ready to contribute as a redshirt freshman.
DL Marlon Dunlap Jr. – The transfer from North Carolina played in all 13 games last season as a reserve. He has been out with an injury this spring.
DL Jabari Zuniga: As Zuniga prepares for his senior season, he has gone about his business as usual: quietly and efficiently. He has had an edge much of the time against the inexperienced O-line.
DL Elijah Conliffe: He has worked with the first- and second-team as he vies for more playing time in 2019. Conliffe started early last season before his playing time diminished.
DL Adam Shuler: He became a starter in his first season and projects to play key role next season. Shuler has taken a majority of the first-team reps at defensive tackle while splitting his time this spring throwing the discus for UF's track team.
DL Luke Ancrum: A fifth-year senior who has primarily been a reserve, Ancrum has shifted around the defensive line and also missed some time with an injury. He provides depth either inside or outside.
