The 2014 college football season is nearly upon us and before the Florida Gators kick things off against the Idaho Vandals, Last Word on Sports wants to make sure you are up to speed on the entire 2014 Gator Football squad. In this two part piece we will hand out position grades for the entire team, let you know who to look for at each position, and give you the LAST WORD on the Florida Gators.
First up, the Florida Gators offense:
QUARTERBACK
Starter: Jeff Driskel, (R-Junior)
Key Backups: Will Grier (Freshmen), Treon Harris (Freshmen), Skylar Mornhinweg (Sophomore)
One of the major weaknesses of this team in 2013 may turn into a strength in 2014. It’s no secret that Junior Jeff Driskel is entrenched as the starter and is expected to take the reigns of this Kurt Roper offense to try to lead the Gators to big things this season. He has shown flashes of his athleticism with both his legs and his arm over the course of the past two seasons but injuries and inconsistency have derailed his career from really taking off. This may be his final chance to show that he can lead this team and win.
His leash is getting a bit shorter because of the fierce competition going on for the backup position. Sophomore Skyler Morningwig, who saw action last season, has been battling with two highly recruited freshmen, Will Grier and Treavon Harris. Reports coming out of camp suggest that the two freshmen have emerged as the front runners, with one eventually securing the job and the other red-shirting for this season to give the Gators a little more versatility at the position going forward.
Grier is said to have the quicker release and a slightly stronger arm. Harris brings a little more athleticism to the position and has been a very good decision maker through fall practice. If Driskel wasn’t as mobile and athletic as he is, Harris would probably have the slight edge, but since Driskel can hurt defenses with his arm or legs, the competition is wide open. No matter who they decide on, the position should be a strength for Florida this season. Ultimately, they are hoping Driskel can stay healthy and show what he can do with the offense over a full season.
Position Grade: B-
RUNNING BACK
Starter: Kelvin Taylor (Sophomore)
Key Backups: Matt Jones (Junior), Mack Brown (Senior), Hunter Joyer (Senior)
Running Back may be the deepest position on the entire team. The Gators return three runners who had good success last season in the trio of Kelvin Taylor, Matt Jones, and Mack Brown.
The running game only accounted for 146 yards per game last season but that was a case of defenses stacking the box because of an inept passing game. The running game is fully capable of well over 200 yards on the ground with the stable of athletic backs they possess. An increased passing game should open up running lanes and allow them to be more successful.
Taylor figures to be the starter and get a good portion of carries, but expect to see both Jones and Brown spell him quite a bit. This will allow all three backs to keep their legs fresh for huge November games against both Georgia and South Carolina, barring any potential serious injury.
Position Grade: A-
WIDE RECEIVERS
Starters: Quinton Dunbar (Senior), Demarcus Robinson (Sophomore), Ahmad Fulwood (Sophomore)
Key Backups: Chris Thompson, Andre Debose, Alvin Bailey, Patroy Pittman
The Gators return Quinton Dunbar, Ahmad Fullwood, and Demarcus Robinson among others at a position that is largely unproven. Last year’s QB struggles also stunted the growth at the wide receiver position. Demarcus Robinson looked great last year in spring but only went on to catch five balls during the regular season. The coaching staff is hoping for big things out of him this season as he takes the next step in his progression.
They also expect Ahmad Fullwood to emerge as a go-to guy for Jeff Driskel. He has looked really good in camp and should be a guy they can count on to spread out a defense and move the chains. The unit has a lot of potential but will have to prove it on the field.
Position Grade: C+
TIGHT END
Starter: Jake McGee
Key Backup: Clay Burton
Tight end is a serious position of concern for the Gators. It is a position that was almost completely ignored years ago in this offense and the effects are still being felt in 2014. The younger brother of former Gator Trey Burton, Clay Burton, will look to emerge this season. The Gators also welcome in Jake McGee, a graduate transfer from Virginia. The Gators will need someone to emerge from the group and grab the starting spot.
Position Grade: D+
OFFENSIVE LINE
Starters: D.J. Humphries LT, Tyler Moore LG, Max Garcia C, Trenton Brown RG, Chaz Green RT
Key Backups: Trip Thurman LG, Drew Sarvary C, Roderick Johnson
The Gators coaching staff has said they feel pretty good about five or six guys going into the season. They think they can have a very talented first team offensive line that can really move defensive lines off the ball and protect the QB. The only problem with that is you need to be about eight or nine deep to survive against SEC caliber competition.
The Gators will be rotating lots of guys in and out in the first two games of the season looking to find those six through eight guys. Hopefully they will get that all figured out and have their rotation of linemen ready for conference play.
Position Grade: B-
KICKING RETURN GAME
Starters: Andre Debose KR (Senior), Vernon Hargreaves III PR (Sophomore)
The return game is always strong in Gainesville as the Gators are often loaded with athletic, quick, shifty guys who can take the ball and bring it to the house. 2014 will be no different as both Debose and Hargreaves III are those type of guys. Opposing teams will try to kick it away and keep it out of their hands as much as possible.
Position Grade: A-
Overall Offensive Grade: C+
Until they prove it on the field, this is still a mediocre offense. The talent and skill is there, they just need to put it all together. Will Muschamp came in with a defensive pedigree and he seems to have focused heavily on that side of the ball during his time in Gainesville. A “three yards and a cloud of dust” mentality that worked through the 80’s in football just isn’t the style of run anymore. You need to have a balanced attack and he is hoping Kurt Roper can bring just that to Florida. Roper had success at Duke, but that was against a slightly lower level of competition week in and week out in the ACC. Roper and the Gators offense will have to go out there and prove it and until they do, they are a C+ level unit.
In part two we will take a look at the defense, kicking game, and hand out our entire team grade.
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