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by
Joel Welser
#3 Florida Gators
Southeastern Conference
2006 Record: (13-1, 7-1)
Coach: Urban Meyer (22-4 at Florida, 61-12
overall)
Starters Returning: 8 (6 offense, 2 defense,
0 specialists)
Offensive Starters Lost: QB Chris Leak, RB
DeShawn Wynn, FB Billy Latsko, WR Dallas Baker, WR Jemalle Cornelius, OL Steve
Rissler
Offensive Starters Returning: WR Andre
Caldwell, TE Tate Casey, OL Carlton Medder, OL Drew Miller, OL Jim Tartt, OL
Phil Trautwein
Defensive Starters Lost: DT Joe Cohen, DT Ray
McDonald, DE Jarvis Moss, LB Brian Crum, LB Earl Everett, LB Brandon Siler, CB
Reggie Lewis, CB Ryan Smith, S Reggie Nelson
Defensive Starters Returning: DE Derrick
Harvey, S Tony Joiner
Starting Specialists Lost: K Chris Hetland, P
Eric Wilbur
Starting Specialists Returning: none
The defense carried the Gators to the national
championship, but it will not be that way this time around. With just two
starters returning, Florida will rely on a ton of inexperienced, albeit
talented, players to stop the opposing offense. Suddenly the hyped quarterback
Tim Tebow is leading the team’s strong point.
Offense:
When Tebow, who altered his throwing mechanics, does
decide to put the ball in the air, he will have a very talented group to throw
to. Andre Caldwell is among the best in the conference and sophomores Percy
Harvin and Jarred Fayson will increase their production and become major
receiving threats. Louis Murphy will be in the mix as well after shining in the
spring. Tight end Cornelius Ingram caught 30 passes last year and will be a
safety valve for Tebow.
The running game was not great last year and without
DeShawn Wynn it may be worse. Mon Williams was expected to take over the
starting job, but he tore an ACL and will miss the entire season. Kestahn Moore
may be next in line after rushing for 282 yards and two touchdowns in 2006. With
the return of four offensive lineman, most notably Drew Miller and Phil
Trautwein, the running game will improve as long as somebody steps up and can
handle the load.
Defense:
At least the Gators have two quality, experienced
players to build around with end Derrick Harvey and strong safety Tony Joiner.
Harvey had 11 sacks last season and will have to anchor an inexperienced line.
Senior tackle Clint McMillan earned one start last year, but the starting job
could be taken over by youngsters Brandon Antwine, Terron Sanders and Torrey
Davis.
The depth at linebacker is a concern. Brandon Spikes
and Dustin Doe will take over the starting positions, but there will be problems
replacing the production of Brandon Siler and company. The safeties should be
fine with the return of Joiner and senior Kyle Jackson, but the absence of
Reggie Lewis and Ryan Smith on the corners leaves nothing but mostly
inexperienced players. Wondy Pierre-Louis, Markihe Anderson, Joe Haden and
former running back Markus Manson are in the mix. While the two returning
starters do not look good, this is still Florida. Even if the defense starts a
handful of freshmen, they are extremely talented freshmen.
The Bottom Line:
Coach Urban Meyer is the real deal. This year’s
recruiting class is amazing and who would not want to go to Florida out of high
school when they know they can play, and make an impact, as a freshman.
Especially on the defensive side of the ball, some freshmen will pay immediate
dividends for the Gators, but watch out for running back Chris Rainey who could
make the biggest splash of any newcomer this year.
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