Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Gators defensive coordinator Todd Grantham preaches versatility to his players. The more positions you can play, the more valuable you become.

A shining example is redshirt junior cornerback Marco Wilson, who moved inside on occasion to play Florida's star position last season, steadying a spot that missed the production Chauncey Gardner-Johnson provided in 2018, Grantham's first season at UF.

"He's probably the most versatile player I've had from the standpoint of being able to play the corner/star position and that really creates value for our team, for himself,'' Grantham said. "He's an excellent star. When you talk about a guy that can be instinctive, that guy can cover, you know, he's got physicality. I would say he's probably the most versatile guy that I've had from a standpoint of you can match him up on a premier guy, whether he's in the slot or outside, and those are the kind of things we can do with him and we'll work those in."

Junior defensive back Trey Dean III, like Wilson a year ago, is entering his third season in the program. Dean signed as a cornerback and has moved around in his first two seasons. Expect the trend to continue according to Grantham.
 
The Gators return three seniors at safety in Shawn Davis, Donovan Stiner and Brad Stewart Jr. However, following the departure of Jeawon Taylor, the fourth spot in the rotation is there for the grabs.

Dean is a player Grantham wants to cross-train at the position after moving him around in the secondary in 2019 when freshman cornerback Kaiir Elam emerged as a playmaker.

"Trey is a versatile player for us,'' Grantham said. "Trey has played corner for us here and we've won 21 games. We're going to move him around a little bit this year."

At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, Dean has the speed to cover on the outside and the size to patrol the middle of the field and help defend the run. He fits the profile of the kind of player Grantham prefers at safety.

"When you look at the spread and you look at things you ask safeties to do, sometimes guys that are playing corner can transition in that because you've got to be able to cover down the field, you've got to be able to have a little length to you,'' Grantham said. "And you're looking for guys who can move into space. That can happen with guys."

It's happening for Dean in training camp.

Meanwhile, three freshman safeties in the 2020 class, Mordecai McDaniel, Tre'Vez Johnson and Rashad Torrence II, are trying to make a favorable early impression to see if they can get into the mix.

"We're not where we need to be,'' Grantham said, "but they're certainly working in that direction."
   
OPT OUT? NOT ME

Based on those way-too-early mock drafts that start invading the internet as soon as the NFL Draft concludes, junior tight end Kyle Pitts is considered by most the Gators' top prospect available in the 2021 draft.

Pitts led the Gators with 54 receptions as a sophomore and creates a mismatch problem for defenses. At 6-6, 240 pounds, Pitts runs like a wideout and is a perfect target underneath.
 

With concerns over the coronavirus pandemic and the uncertainty of the 2020 season prompting some top players to opt out the season to focus on the draft – two notable ones this week were Georgia quarterback Jamie Newman and LSU star receiver Ja'Marr Chase – Pitts hasn't considered running that route.

"That's something I never really thought of,'' Pitts said after Wednesday's practice. "I only was thinking about the season and how I can get better."

Of course, that's not to say Pitts hasn't been paying attention to recent NFL news. Specifically, the record contract extensions signed by tight ends George Kittle (five years, $75 million) and Travis Kelce (four years, $57 million).

Pitts envisions putting up numbers like they have one day.

"Those are guys I sit up in the office and watch with the coaches and try to critique their game and add certain pieces they do in a game, add to my game because I see we kind of do a lot of things similar to those guys,'' he said. "Seeing those contracts really just opened my eyes because years ago, tight ends weren't getting those contracts.

"Now that they're changing the game, it's really interesting."
 
EMERGENCY PLAN
 
Gators quarterback coach Brian Johnson was asked an interesting question considering the uncertainties around the 2020 season related to COVID-19.
 

With the virus that causes COVID-19 transmitted at a high rate, what would happen if the quarterback room got infected? Who would run the offense should Kyle Trask, Emory Jones and Anthony Richardson be unavailable?

"I know I can't play, so I would be out,'' joked Johnson, a former Utah standout.

Receiver Kadarius Toney was a quarterback in high school and perhaps could be an option. It's a scenario that nobody other than maybe a Georgia fan is rooting to come to fruition, but as 2020 has already proven, stranger things have happened.

"Depth is a huge advantage in any year, particularly in a year with such uncertainty going forward,'' Johnson said. "We'll put something together. We have an experienced offensive staff and guys that have been together a really long time. We all have a background in a bunch of different offenses. I'm sure we would come up with something to get it done."
   
READY WHEN CALLED
 
The Gators enter the season with a talented and deep stable of quarterbacks with Trask, redshirt sophomore Jones and freshman Richardson.

While Trask is the established starter coming off a breakout 2019 season, Johnson views Jones and Richardson as more than capable of producing if needed. The Gators are expected to mix Jones into the game plan regularly to give defenses a different look.

"He can be dynamic and change the game with his legs as well,'' Johnson said. "When you've got somebody like that who can really do everything, it really makes it tough on the defense. And it really changes the looks that you get. You get some premium looks to spin the rock. He's got a ton of juice in his arm.

"I think he is a fantastic talent. I can't wait to watch him play."

Meanwhile, Johnson echoed head coach Dan Mullen in discussing what has been most impressive about Richardson, a star at Gainesville Eastside High. Richardson is a dual-threat option who fits Mullen's offensive system very well.

"He's obviously got a ton of God-given ability and he's a really fast learner,'' Johnson said. "With him missing spring, I was a little concerned in terms of him not being able to get those reps … but like I say, he was really, really engaged in our Zooms over the summer and he came in and he's a great note-taker, he's a great listener. He really gives you everything in terms of his energy and effort to become a great player. We've just got to continue developing him at a rapid rate. I like what I'm seeing so far."
   
QUOTE OF NOTE I
 
"It puts a huge chip on my shoulder, and you know, I actually prefer it that way. I don't want to be comfortable and relaxed, and be the top guy that everybody's talking about. But you just gotta take it for what it is. At the end of the day, I'm not here for awards." – Gators defensive back Marco Wilson on being left off preseason Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
 
QUOTE OF NOTE II
 
"You know, the Derby is on. Being that I was in Louisville, I got hooked on the Derby. Maybe I will check that out. If you've got a pick, let me know." – Gators defensive coordinator Todd Grantham on what he will do Saturday, the day Florida's 2020 season opener was originally scheduled
 
QUOTE OF NOTE III
 
"I don't know who's faster like in a 40 or anything, but he can definitely turn his wheel, that's for sure." – Gators quarterback Kyle Trask on whether freshman receiver Xzavier Henderson can run faster than his brother, ex-Gators cornerback CJ Henderson

 

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STANDING UP

Gators head coach Dan Mullen, his assistant coaches and support staff stepped onto Florida Field to make a statement on Thursday:
 

pic.twitter.com/ZqHnR4CfU8

— Dan Mullen (@CoachDanMullen) September 3, 2020

 

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