For Sake of Program, Muschamp Must Turn To Treon Harris

by | Sep 23, 2014 | Uncategorized

Florida wasn’t supposed to beat Alabama. But let’s just come right out with it: If Will Muschamp wants to remain the head football coach of the Florida Gators, he needs to use the bye week to prepare Treon Harris as the starting quarterback for Florida’s season-defining game at Tennessee on October 4th.

Any other decision, and there are various permutations and possibilities, delays the inevitable, stalls the forward progress of the program with or without Will Muschamp, and probably means Florida loses at least one more game than it should at some point this season. And despite the fact that journalists and fans alike are having the debate about whether Jeff Driskel should remain Florida’s starting quarterback, the answer, with even a semi-deep look at the numbers and a memory’s look at the film, is extremely clear.Jeff Driskel is not a championship quarterback. Some have known it all along. Some are just realizing it, all while still apologizing for him. But the reality is this: Jeff Driskel’s ceiling, regardless of the original recruiting projections, is not that high. He’s had four years to get better. He hasn’t. He will never grow into a championship quarterback. And elite programs end goal is to win championships. So it’s time for the Gators to try someone else. What’s the Jeremy Foley philosophy: “If something has to be done eventually, why not do it immediately?” That applies to quarterbacks as much as coaches. And it applies to Jeff Driskel.

This isn’t a “drumbeat.” It’s a move that must be made for the program’s sake. Forest through the trees stuff. The long-term matters.

Let’s get the counter arguments out of the way at the top. We’ll call this “seeing the whole field.” Or if you’d prefer, “reading the progression.” We know Jeff Driskel can’t really do those things. We’ll try anyway, in no particular order.

 

1) You can’t blame Driskel for Saturday. Florida was comprehensively beaten in all facets of football except punting, and surrendered a school record amount of yards. Not even Tommie Frazier bulldozing his way through seven Gator defenders felt that bad, and that was (previously) the worst…

 

Yes, Florida’s defense had a terrible day. A record breaking kind of terrible day. Yes, the Gators made untested Blake Sims look like Drew Brees. Yes, Florida missed thirty tackles. And yes, Will Muschamp has always had his defense. Until Saturday. But here’s the reality: Alabama needed 87 plays to gain that many yards. A handful of broken coverages accounted for about 300 of those yards in the air. And while that’s not an “excuse”, it is more reasonably in tune with what more sober Gator fans should have expected from this defense when the year started: a young secondary that would struggle, similar to the 2007 secondary, but had the talent to get better.  Point being- some defensive letdown was inevitable.

And yet– Florida forced four turnovers, and it would have been five had Brian Poole not dropped an interception (more on that in a moment). Florida forced punts at critical times, including one that gave the offense a very short field (Florida fumbled). And despite the woeful third-down defense (more than half of Alabama’s yardage came on third down!), Florida did an admirable job against the run until late in the second half.

So if your takeaway from Saturday was to blame the defense– we watched largely different football games. That Florida lost the time of possession battle is to be expected (tempo teams concede that statistic and are part and parcel the reason people think it doesn’t matter anymore). That Florida’s defense spent two-thirds the football game on the field had a great deal to do with the fact that its offense couldn’t move the football. There was a point in the game where Florida trailed seven points in the third quarter and had six first downs. Six. That’s mind-boggling stuff. Factor that in when you think about Brian Poole dropping an interception. If Florida’s offense is sustaining drives and scoring points, does Poole drop that ball if he’s not already trying to run to the Alabama endzone? Ditto Dante Fowler’s fumble recovery turned fumble turned fumble recovery. Does Fowler fall on the ball if he thinks Florida can drive seventy yards for a score? I don’t know if it is cruel or telling that Florida failed to score after that sequence regardless, but it’s reality.

2) Jeff Driskel is on his third offensive coordinator and coming off a knee injury. He didn’t get the Idaho game to work out the kinks in a new offense, and the bye week will do wonders.

Nice story. But Chris Leak had multiple offensive coordinators. All he did was lead the SEC in passing efficiency and win the BCS National Championship MVP with his third coordinator. He didn’t have an injury? Okay. Fair. But that’s football. They still play tackle in the age of targeting. If you are afraid to get hurt, get off the field. By the way: Tim Tebow had multiple offensive coordinators. He was pretty good. Rex Grossman had multiple offensive coordinators. He should have won the Heisman under one and beat an undefeated Georgia on a sprained knee with only one decent WR with the other. He was pretty good. AJ McCarron had multiple coordinators. He won championships. I could go on. The bottom line is Driskel is a fourth year player and he’s actively regressing: the accuracy problems we’ve seen against Kentucky and Alabama aren’t particularly noteworthy when you evaluate his freshmen year. And this in an offense we were told all summer he was born to run.

3) Your standards are too high, or “the backup quarterback is the most popular guy in town.”

They should be. It’s Florida football. John Reaves, Wayne Peace, Kerwin Bell, Danny Wuerffel, Rex Grossman, Chris Leak and Tim Tebow played quarterback here. They were pretty damn good. And before them, Steve Spurrier played quarterback here and won the Heisman Trophy. He was the face of Florida football when all it had done was fall on its face. So Florida fans expect greatness from their quarterbacks. And they should. That’s the identity of the football program. And the university has spent a ton of money on statues for Gale Lemarand Drive that say I’m right.

And the backup quarterback is the most popular guy in town cliche is a cliche because sometimes, it’s true. Was it stupid for Gator “fans” to boo Chris Leak when he was a senior and leading the SEC in passing efficiency? Of course it was. But there are plenty of examples of ineffective starters who have to yield to effective starters. Todd Helton yielded to a young Peyton Manning at Tennessee. Clint Trickett yielded to Jameis Winston (yes, that happened). Kyle Orton to Tim Tebow.

4) Jeff Driskel gives Florida the best chance to win aka “The Muschamp” Argument.

Let’s be blunt again: no he doesn’t. If you want eloquent, read Nick De La Torre’s piece at Gator CountryI’m here to deliver more facts. Here’s Jeff Driskel’s numbers against teams that have qualified for bowl games in his tenure:

2012

@ Texas A & M 13-16, 162 yards, 0 TD,  0 INT (Win 20-17 vs. Johnny Manziel, also making first start)

LSU 8-12, 61 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT (Win 14-6)

@ Vanderbilt 11-20, 77 yards, 11 carries, 177 yards, 3 rushing TD’s, 0 passing, 0 INT (Win, 31-17, probably his best game as a Gator…)

South Carolina 11-16, 93 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT (Win, 44-11. Only player in modern SEC history to throw 4 TD’s while passing for under 100 yards)

Georgia 15-27, 191 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT, 13 carries, -4 yards (Aaron Murray was worse. But both had QB ratings under 15!!!, and UGA won, 17-9)

Louisiana Lafeyette 13-16, 98 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 12 carries, 76 yards—Florida trailed 17-13 at home when Driskel left game, Jacoby Brissett rallies Gators to avoid embarrassing defeat)

@ Florida State 15-23, 147 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 11 carries, -20 yards (Managed the game. Last time FSU lost in tackle football)

Sugar Bowl:

Louisville 16-29. 175 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 10 carries, 4 yards (Pick six on opening play set tone for upset loss)

2013

@ Miami 22-33, 291 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 9 carries 19 yards (2 red zone interceptions crushed Gators hopes of confidence-building victory, ruining career high passing day)

2014

Alabama 9-28, 93 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 11 carries, 59 yards, 1 TD (Alabama rolls Gators 42-21 despite four turnovers and great field position for Florida for three quarters)

PASSING TOTALS: 122- 220. 1388 yards, 9 TD, 8 INT

RUSHING TD: 4

TOTAL TD: 13

GAMES WHERE THREW FOR UNDER 100 YARDS: FIVE—That’s staggering!!

GAMES WHERE FLORIDA SCORED MORE THAN 21 POINTS: 5 (Though it should be noted the last TD vs. Louisville came in garbage time and Brissett was in the game for Florida’s final offensive TD drive of that game, so realistically—THREE. Also staggering!!)

W-L: 6-4 (Really 5-4 but bailed out by Brissett and Jelani Jenkins vs. Louisiana-Lafeyette)

AND, For what it’s worth…Games Won, Memorable Heroes:

Texas A & M: Defense, Mike Gillislee

Vanderbilt: Driskel

South Carolina: Defense, Louichez Purifoy

LSU: Matt Elam, Mike Gillislee, Offensive Line

Louisiana-Lafeyette: Fans that didn’t leave, Jacoby Brissett, Jelani Jenkins

Florida State: Matt Elam, Mike Gilislee, Antonio Morrison, Offensive Line

By my count, that’s ONE football game- at Vanderbilt in 2012– when Jeff Driskel looked the part of the nation’s #1 QB recruit and played the part of guy who won Florida the football game. On that night, without Jeff Driskel, Vanderbilt probably wins.

The problem with that is simple arithmetic. How many of the other games, won or lost, would Florida have won with Brissett? Or with Tyler Murphy? Or with any other potential replacement quarterback? You might argue they’d have won less. But if that’s your argument, then you are suggesting Florida desperately needed Driskel and his less than 150 ypg average, or his 1 TD pass per game (with four of those on one day!). That’s a pretty untenable position.

Driskel has had four years to deliver on his recruiting promise, and has instead morphed into the following: a game manager who is inaccurate, consistently throws for under 100 yards against quality opposition and has a penchant for red zone interceptions. He went 11-2 with 12 NFL players on his defense. And the two games he lost that season- Georgia, Louisville– both involved him making disastrous throws at dreadful times. In fact, as painful as the Georgia game was, you could argue the Louisville game was more of a testament to his inability to win games: the one time his defense needed him that season, he couldn’t deliver.

It is time to move on. And it isn’t just about the future of the program. Benching Jeff Driskel helps Florida win now.

The Gators young secondary is going to have tough days this fall. The answer, of course, is sustaining drives and scoring points. Kurt Roper was paid handsomely to come to Florida to accomplish those goals. The longer the Gators possess the ball, the longer the secondary is coached on the sideline. The longer they are coached, the less likely the coltish breakdowns. The more points Florida scores, the more bend the Gator defense can show. These things go hand in hand. Anyone who watched Florida win 9 games thanks to Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin in 2007 understands something of what I mean. And no- I’m not suggesting there’s two talents on that offense like them: simply suggesting that when you have a poor/young secondary- you better be able to score. And keep in mind that secondary lacked the nation’s finest cornerback. They had to wait a year for Joe Haden to become that.

Benching Driskel helps Florida win now because Driskel, with a large sample size, has shown he isn’t the quarterback to do much more than manage a game with some mediocrity. Florida needs a quarterback who can make plays.

In my view, Treon Harris is that player. And if he isn’t, Will Grier could be. Doesn’t matter. We know Driskel is not.

Any Gators who painfully watched Florida State survive Clemson Saturday night may have missed an illustrative irony if they weren’t paying attention. Three possessions into the game, playing on the road, Dabo Swinney benched his senior quarterback, a kid who had waited his turn and shown great personal triumph over adversity, for a talented true freshmen everyone wanted named DeShaun Watson.

For his part, Watson played brilliantly, only to be let down by a veteran offensive lineman who snapped the ball over his head and a veteran running back who breadbasketed the ball and fumbled while Watson was leading the team down the field for the winning score late in the fourth quarter. This week, Coach Swinney made the switch to Watson permanent.

It was the kind of move that a coach coming off a BCS bowl win and a nice contract extension can make, I suppose. But it was also a move that will reap dividends for Clemson long-term. As a Gator fan, it was hard not to take notice. You recruit the high-school superstar to play the high-school superstar. If the former high school superstar is no longer a star, you play “next man up.” As next man up, Watson was ready.

The irony, of course, wasn’t that Swinney had the guts to play his true freshmen at the defending national champions and Muschamp didn’t have the guts to put one of his freshmen in at a team that was Champions of nothing last season and breaking in a new quarterback themselves– but rather that FSU was playing Sean Maguire at quarterback for the suspended Jameis Winston, and this was entirely out of necessity. And that was because of Will Muschamp.

You see, Muschamp closed like crazy on Treon Harris, a coveted quarterback who he flipped from Florida State to the Gators at the last minute. In an alternate universe, there’s a scenario where Harris is the starter for FSU Saturday night, playing in Winston’s stead and facing off with Watson. Instead, Harris stood on a Tuscaloosa sideline, and Jimbo Fisher was forced to play the very limited Maguire, who turned in a performance Driskel would dream about. Agonizing irony.

With a bye week to prepare for a game I think realistically will determine his future in Gainesville, Will Muschamp should pull a Dabo Swinney and turn to his freshmen superstar, Treon Harris.

Harris is the son of a legendary coach, Ice Harris, who won multiple state championships at Booker T. Washington in Miami before departing after Treon and he won another last December, crushing longtime power Jacksonville Bolles in the state championship. So Harris is used to winning. Driskel’s teams never advanced beyond regionals.  Coaches sons tend to do pretty well running and playing for athletic teams in Gainesville (see, Green, Taurean; Wilbekin, Scottie; Hargraeves III, Vernon, among others). Harris certainly won’t suffer from being unprepared. He arrived late– but still managed to beat out early enrollee and more highly-touted quarterback recruit Will Grier in summer ball. So we know Harris will compete. Driskel sometimes appears as if he’s given up. And Harris played football against the big boys in Miami. It’s amazing how much that matters with young players. It was the reason Charlie Weis valued Jacoby Brissett over Driskel to begin with and the reason longtime recruiting savant Larry Blustein once told me he’d take “a three star from Miami Northwestern over a five star from a random private school” most days of the week. Harris is the best of both worlds: a highly-touted player from a perennial power who happens to be a coaches son and who a quarterback whisperer named Jimbo Fisher had tabbed to be his next quarterback.

You win the recruiting battle to play him, Will. You win the recruiting battle because you think he’ll help you win games. And now you know the old guy can’t win you enough games. So it is time to move on, coach.

For the program’s sake.

 

 

 

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Auburn DL Daquan Newkirk transfers to Florida

Auburn DL Daquan Newkirk transfers to Florida

DaQuan Newkirk is coming home. Daquan Newkirk has decided to return home (or close to it) for his final year of eligibility. And thus, Florida's shaky offseason took a step in the right direction. https://twitter.com/holdthat_2/status/1349757297782829056?s=20 Once a...

Florida LB James Houston to enter transfer portal

Florida LB James Houston to enter transfer portal

Best of luck to James Houston as he searches for a new home. James Houston IV, a junior linebacker from Fort Lauderdale, has told me that he will be entering the transfer portal. Houston was known for making a few of the bigger defensive plays of the last couple of...

Keyontae Johnson placed into medically induced coma

Keyontae Johnson placed into medically induced coma

Keyontae Johnson has been placed into a medically induced coma, according to the USA Today, who spoke with Johnson's grandfather. His grandfather, Larry DeJarnett said in a phone interview that his grandson was transported to Gainesville earlier today after receiving...

Florida vs Tennessee: Film Review – Defense

Florida’s 2020 season has overall been a successful one by most measures. The Gators are 8-1, ranked in the top ten in every major poll and are four wins away from securing the program’s fourth national title. But in order to obtain that national title, there’s a lot...

Several Gators listed as national award semifinalists

Florida's efforts on the field have been rewarded in the sense that the Gators now control their own destiny to SEC and national championships. But for several players, their efforts are being rewarded in more individual manners, too. Four Gators have been listed as...

Five Takeaways from Florida’s 31-19 win over Tennessee

Florida didn't play especially well, but did more than enough to beat Tennessee and wrap up the SEC East for the first time since 2016. What were the major takeaways from the game? Florida simply does not have a running game Tennessee came into the game with a five...

Photo Gallery from Florida’s 34-10 win over Kentucky

As we anticipate tomorrow's road matchup with Tennessee,  let’s take one more look back at last week’s game against Kentucky. Our podcast host, Dustin Smith, happens to also be a fantastic photographer. He was at the game last Saturday, and got some great photos of...

Florida RB Iverson Clement will transfer

Florida's deep stable of running backs has just gotten a little thinner. Iverson Clement, a junior tailback from Mount Holly, NJ, has decided to transfer. He departs from Florida having carried the ball twelve times for 94 yards. He nearly scored a touchdown against...

Gators make belated Thanksgiving feast out of Wildcats

Florida was missing key pieces on both sides of the ball a week ago in a sluggish 38-17 win over Vanderbilt. The Gators got them both back today, and the result was fairly similar: Florida struggled for a half against a historically inferior divisional opponent,...

Five Takeaways from Florida’s 34-10 win over Kentucky

It took awhile for Florida to get itself going, but they eventually did do exactly that and rolled away from Kentucky. What stood out in the victory? A tale of two halves Florida's offense was stuck in reverse for most of the first half, mustering a grand total of...

No. 6 Gators overcome sluggish start to run past Vandy

Florida arrived at Vanderbilt’s small stadium a mere hour and two minutes before kickoff, determined to avoid the cramped quarters in the visitors’ locker room at all costs and intent on spending as little time on the premises as they had to. Then the Gators took the...

Five Takeaways from Florida’s 38-17 win over Vanderbilt

It wasn’t pretty, but Florida fought off a tough challenge from Vanderbilt and got out of Nashville with a 38-17 win. What stuck out in the victory? The defense is still a problem. Yes, Florida played better on defense after a miserable first quarter, and sure,...

Photo Gallery from Florida’s 63-35 win over Arkansas

Before we look ahead to Vanderbilt tomorrow, let's take one more look back at last week's game against Arkansas. Our podcast host, Dustin Smith, happens to also be a fantastic photographer. He was at the game last Saturday night, and got some great photos of various...

Trask, Gators run Hogwild in blowout of Arkansas

Trask, Gators run Hogwild in blowout of Arkansas

Feleipe Franks’ dramatic return to the Swamp was the story of the day when his Arkansas Razorbacks faced off against #6 Florida in the Swamp. But it was his long-time understudy, Kyle Trask, who dominated the night. Trask continued his push for a Heisman Trophy by...

Five Takeaways from Florida’s 63-35 win over Arkansas

Five Takeaways from Florida’s 63-35 win over Arkansas

Florida earned its most lopsided win of the season over Arkansas, and former quarterback Feleipe Franks, 63-35. What stood out most along the way? Kyle Trask is now the Heisman frontrunner After several years of hyping up various quarterbacks as Heisman Trophy...

A Tribute to Feleipe Franks: I Will Remember You

A Tribute to Feleipe Franks: I Will Remember You

Hello again, Feleipe Franks. It's been about fourteen months since your Gator career ended in a particularly gruesome fashion. Tomorrow, we meet again. Only this time, your job will be to ruin Florida's season, not enhance it, and our job will be to make you...

Gators kick Georgia out of Cocktail Party

Gators kick Georgia out of Cocktail Party

Throughout Dan Mullen’s short tenure at Florida, Kirby Smart has had Mullen’s number.  And three minutes into their third meeting in Jacksonville, it looked like that would continue. But then Florida flipped the script and turned the game— and the rivalry— on its...

Five Takeaways from Florida’s 44-28 win over Georgia

Five Takeaways from Florida’s 44-28 win over Georgia

WE DID IT!!! Yes, at long last, Florida has gotten the Georgia monkey off its back and toppled the Bulldogs to take control of the SEC East. What did we learn along the way? Kyle Trask is officially a Heisman Trophy frontrunner He may not win the award, but he has to...

2021 OL Yousef Mugharbil commits to Florida

2021 OL Yousef Mugharbil commits to Florida

A day before the Gators take on Georgia in the Cocktail Party, Yousef Mugharbil kicked off their weekend the right way. Mugharbil, a consensus four star offensive lineman from Murphy, NC/Murphy HS, has committed to Florida. He also had offers from Penn State, Virginia...

Five takeaways from Florida’s 41-17 win over Missouri

Five takeaways from Florida’s 41-17 win over Missouri

Florida bounced back from a rough loss to Texas A&M three weeks ago with a statement win against Missouri. What stood out in the process? The defense isn't great, but it's getting better. Even without three starters in the secondary (and without Zachary Carter in...

For Gators, a new season begins against Missouri

For Gators, a new season begins against Missouri

Three weeks ago, Florida completed its preseason portion of the 2020 schedule with a good deal of promise, but well aware of what it had to work on. One ugly COVID outbreak and three weeks later, and the Gators begin the meat of their schedule- a seven game stretch...

2022 Safety Sam McCall commits to Florida

2022 Safety Sam McCall commits to Florida

Just as things are getting back into full swing for the Gator football team, things are heating up on the recruiting trail, too. Florida has nabbed a commitment from 2022 athlete Sam McCall, a consensus five star recruit from Lakeland, FL/Lake Gibson HS. He chose...

2021 Edge rusher Jeremiah Williams commits to Florida

2021 Edge rusher Jeremiah Williams commits to Florida

Defensive end Jeremiah Williams, a consensus four star prospect out of Birmingham, AL/Ramsay HS, has committed to Florida, giving the Gators yet another dynamic piece for their 2021 recruiting class. Signs were pointing towards Gainesville for the highly touted edge...

Florida-Missouri game postponed to October 31

Florida-Missouri game postponed to October 31

According to multiple sources close to the team, the Florida-Missouri game scheduled to take place on October 24th will now be pushed back one week, to Halloween on October 31st. In All Kinds of Weather first reported yesterday that the game was extremely likely to be...

Florida-LSU game postponed due to COVID-19 outbreak

Florida-LSU game postponed due to COVID-19 outbreak

Multiple sources have confirmed that the Florida-LSU game scheduled for this Saturday is going to be postponed. An announcement could come as early as Wednesday afternoon. The news comes less than 24 hours after an outbreak of COVID-19 within the Gators' football...

COVID-19 outbreak places Florida-LSU game in jeopardy

After just three games, the novel coronavirus that has wreaked havoc on pretty much everything in 2020 appears to have found its way into the Gator football program. And predictably, the COVID-19 outbreak has thrown up a blockade in front of the season. A few days...

Texas A&M forces Florida to address defensive issues

Texas A&M forces Florida to address defensive issues

Throughout the game on Saturday in College Station, Florida seemed to be one step ahead of Texas A&M. Until they weren't. And then it was too late to do anything about it as the Florida program trudged off the field following a familiar fate- a loss to Jimbo...

Five takeaways from Florida’s 41-38 loss to Texas A&M

Five takeaways from Florida’s 41-38 loss to Texas A&M

Florida suffered its first loss of the season against Texas A&M today, an ugly 41-38 setback that’s far more irritating than damaging— but one that exposed a great deal of Gator shortcomings. What stood out in particular? (Spoiler alert: a lot of them are...

Imperfect Gators outlast South Carolina to start 2-0

Imperfect Gators outlast South Carolina to start 2-0

The various struggles the Florida Gators have endured on defense didn’t matter too much in their first two games against Mississippi and South Carolina. They might in their next game. And they almost certainly will later in the season. Kyle Trask tossed four touchdown...

Clemson RB Demarkcus Bowman to transfer to Florida

Clemson RB Demarkcus Bowman to transfer to Florida

The Lakeland-to-Gainesville pipeline has continued, albeit via a detour. Demarkcus Bowman has chosen to transfer to Florida. Mere days after announcing his decision to enter the transfer portal, Bowman told Gators Territory of his decision. Bowman, a former five star...

Trask’s career day propels Florida past Mississippi

Trask’s career day propels Florida past Mississippi

Dan Mullen returned to the place he once called “The School Up North” in his new set of colors for the first time. And he provided that school up north with a first class education in just how lethal his new offense is. Kyle Trask went wild, completing 30 of his 42...

Five takeaways from Florida’s 51-35 win at Ole Miss

Five takeaways from Florida’s 51-35 win at Ole Miss

The Gators opened their 2020 season with a somewhat convincing 51-35 victory over Ole Miss in Oxford. In doing so, Florida knotted the all time series score against the Rebels at twelve wins apiece. Here are my five initial takeaways from the game: Kyle Trask is...

2020 Gator football position preview: secondary

2020 Gator football position preview: secondary

Our position previews of the 2020 Gator football team conclude today with a look at the defensive backfield. Can the unit colloquially known as "DBU" move forward without CJ Henderson? Previously previewing: quarterbacks | running backs | wide receivers | tight ends |...

2020 Gator football position previews: linebackers

2020 Gator football position previews: linebackers

The penultimate piece of our position preview segment takes us to the Florida linebackers- a unit that was very good in 2019, but will look a bit different in 2020. Let's get right into it. Previously previewing: quarterbacks | running backs | wide receivers | tight...

2020 Gator football position preview: defensive line

2020 Gator football position preview: defensive line

Having completed our offensive position previews, today we move to the defensive side of the ball. And as is the case everywhere in the SEC, it starts up front. Previously previewing: quarterbacks | running backs | wide receivers | tight ends | offensive line The...

2020 Gator football position preview: offensive line

2020 Gator football position preview: offensive line

Fresh off our preview of Florida's tight ends, our 2020 Gator football position preview rolls on with a look at perhaps the key to the entire team: the offensive line. Last year, was so-so a year ago in pass protection, but really let the team down in the ground game....

2020 Gator football position preview: tight ends

2020 Gator football position preview: tight ends

With kickoff just around the corner, our position by position previews of the 2020 Gator football team are about to start hitting the presses rapid-fire. Having already published our previews on Florida's quarterback, running back and wide receiver rooms, the first of...

2020 Gator football position preview: wide receivers

2020 Gator football position preview: wide receivers

Having previously broken down Florida's quarterbacks and running backs, our position preview segment moves along today with a look at Florida's receivers. It's a unit that lost four of its top playmakers from 2019 (Van Jefferson, Freddie Swain, Josh Hammond and Tyrie...

2020 Gator football position preview: running backs

2020 Gator football position preview: running backs

After a bit longer of a gap between position breakdowns than I intended, the series rolls on today with a look at Florida's running backs. What do the Gators have in stock in their RB room this year? The leader: Dameon Pierce The leading returning rusher from 2019 has...

Snapshot: the 2020 Florida-FSU chart

Snapshot: the 2020 Florida-FSU chart

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my distinct honor and privilege to present to you, the 2020 Florida-FSU chart. Many of you already know what I'm referring too. For those who don't, "The Chart" is an annual In All Kinds Of Weather tradition that compares the Florida Gators...

2020 Gator football position preview: quarterbacks

2020 Gator football position preview: quarterbacks

With kickoff at long last in sight, it's time to break down the 2020 Gator football roster, position by position. Who's back, who's going to start, how good are they, and so on. Man, it's great to finally be talking about that again. So with that said, let's start...

Gators learn four of ten kickoff times for 2020 season

Gators learn four of ten kickoff times for 2020 season

Three of Florida's first four games of the 2020 season carry the potential to be broilers. The Gators' season opener against Mississippi in Oxford on September 26th will kick off at noon, and air on ESPN. The following week, Florida will return home and again play in...

#GreatestGatorEver Sweet 16 bracket breakdown

#GreatestGatorEver Sweet 16 bracket breakdown

Having announced the tentative plans for the schedule of the remainder of the #GreatestGatorEver fan voting tournament (update; the tournament resumes tomorrow on twitter and Instagram stories), it's time to refresh our memories regarding the final sixteen contestants...

#GreatestGatorEver tournament schedule update

#GreatestGatorEver tournament schedule update

For those who have been keeping track of the #GreatestGatorEver tournament, the excitement level has reached yet another all time high, as it does with the completion of each round. For those who haven't, it's not too late to be introduced to the event. Here's (a very...

Gators’ 2020 football schedule unveiled

Gators’ 2020 football schedule unveiled

At long last, the Florida Gators 2020 football schedule has been released. Here it is, in full. Florida Gators 2020 football schedule Week Date Opponent 1 9/26 @ Mississippi 2 10/3 S CAROLINA 3 10/10 @ Texas A&M 4 10/17 LSU 5 10/24 MISSOURI 6 --- BYE 7 11/7...

Four key Gators sit out first fall practice

Four key Gators sit out first fall practice

For the time being, it looks as though the SEC is going to give its college football season a go in 2020. But at least for today's inaugural practice, the Florida Gators football team launched its fall season down four critical pieces. As first reported by Sports...

DT Desmond Watson commits to Florida

DT Desmond Watson commits to Florida

Florida had been suffering through a bit of a lull on the recruiting trail earlier this month, a period that was low lighted by Clinton Burton flipping his commitment from Florida to Boston College. But if the past couple of weeks didn't vault Florida out of that rut,...

Gators flip OL recruit Jake Slaughter from FSU

After a bit of a lull on the recruiting trail, Florida has suddenly picked it up over the course of the last week. Last Saturday, safety Donovan McMillon committed; less than 48 hours later, receiver Marcus Burke followed suit to rev the engine a little bit on a 2021...

Top Jacksonville WR Marcus Burke commits to Florida

Top Jacksonville WR Marcus Burke commits to Florida

The Gators' 2021 recruiting class got a boost Saturday with the addition of Donovan McMillon. Today, Dan Mullen & Co. built on that momentum with the addition of receiver Marcus Burke. https://twitter.com/CERTIFIED_MB4/status/1285296008747003904?s=20 Burke, a...

Safety Donovan McMillon commits to Florida

Safety Donovan McMillon commits to Florida

Clinton Burton out, Donovan McMillon in. McMillon, a borderline three/four star safety from McMurray, PA/Peters Township High School, has committed to the Gators. The move provides Florida fans with a bit of relief following the decommitment of fellow defensive back...

#GreatestGatorEver tournament set to heat up

#GreatestGatorEver tournament set to heat up

Welcome to the part of the #GreatestGatorEver tournament where things really start to get interesting. For those who are just catching wind of the tournament, a quick explanation of how it works. Created with the goal of deciding the greatest Florida Gator athlete of...

Gators announce six new positive COVID tests within football program

UF confirms 11 positive COVID-19 cases since April

The University of Florida has acknowledged that eleven different positive tests for COVID-19 have taken place since April. The news comes a week and a half after the announcement that no returning Gator football player had tested positive. From Florida senior...

2021 CB Jordan Young commits to Florida

2021 CB Jordan Young commits to Florida

It may be one of the slowest times for sports in recent memory, but the inverse has been the case in the world of Gator football recruiting. 2021 cornerback Jordan Young (Tampa, FL/Gaither) has committed to Florida. A consensus three star prospect with offers from...

Kamar Wilcoxson re-commits to Florida for a third time

Kamar Wilcoxson re-commits to Florida for a third time

Kamar Wilcoxson is back on the Gators' commitment list- and he says this time, it's for good. https://twitter.com/KamarWilcoxson4/status/1274100941369806850?s=20 I think at this point, most Gator fans are familiar with who he is, and if you're not, I'll explain why I...

Safety Dakota Mitchell commits to Florida

Safety Dakota Mitchell commits to Florida

It probably got lost in the news of yesterday’s news that the Florida band will stop cueing up the “Gator bait” chant due to the term’s racist history, but while Florida football lost a ritual, it gained a commit. Safety Dakota Mitchell (Winter Park, FL/Winter Park)...

Gator baseball pitcher Tommy Mace to return in 2021

Gator baseball pitcher Tommy Mace to return in 2021

Tommy Mace has just pulled perhaps the biggest offseason surprise in the world of Florida Gator athletics. Mace, the ace of the Gator baseball pitching staff, has decided to return to Gainesville for another season after going undrafted in the MLB Draft. Per...

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: 15 Regional

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: 15 Regional

The sixteenth and final Regional of the #GreatestGatorEver tournament gets underway later tonight. Thus, our Regional previews conclude with a look at the 15 Regional: The bracket Regional participants (Players are listed in order they appear on the bracket.) (1)...

Lorenzo Lingard granted immediate eligibility for Florida

Lorenzo Lingard granted immediate eligibility for Florida

Happy birthday, Lorenzo Lingard. Florida's newest running back addition has announced on twitter that his waiver to be able to play in 2020 has been granted: https://twitter.com/d1champ99/status/1266464118950723584?s=20 Florida's running back room wasn't bad to begin...

#GreatestGatorEver tournament set to heat up

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: Regional 2

The penultimate Regional of the #GreatestGatorEver tournament is just about set to get underway. As is customary by now, let's acquaint ourselves with the sixteen player field a little more first. The bracket Regional participants (Players are listed in...

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: 10 Regional

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: 10 Regional

Round one of the #GreatestGatorEver tournament is drawing to a close. Today, we take a look at the third-to-last of the sixteen Regional brackets to be played: the 10 Regional. The bracket Regional participants (Players are listed in order they appear on the bracket.)...

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: 7 Regional

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: 7 Regional

We are officially three quarters of the way through of the first round of the #GreatestGatorEver tournament. Tomorrow morning, we begin the first round of the fourth quarter of the bracket- the 7 Regional. The bracket Regional participants (Players are listed in order...

Class of 2021 RB/WR Charles Montgomery commits to Florida

Class of 2021 RB/WR Charles Montgomery commits to Florida

Charles Montgomery will be suiting up in orange and blue on Saturdays. On an instagram live feed, Montgomery announced that he was choosing Florida over Maryland. A consensus four star prospect out of Seffner, FL/Armwood, Montgomery also had offers from Alabama,...

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: Regional 14

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: Regional 14

Time to complete the upper right hand corner of the #GreatestGatorEver bracket with the 14 Regional. Y'all know the drill by now; let's get to it. The bracket Regional participants (Players are listed in order they appear on the bracket.) (1) Kelly Barnhill (softball,...

Florida unveils plan to bring athletes back to campus

Florida unveils plan to bring athletes back to campus

Photo credit: University of Florida COVID-19 has pretty much shut down college athletics since it made its way over to the United States a couple of months ago. Now, the first steps are being taken to see their resumption. Earlier today, SEC school presidents have...

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: Regional 3

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: Regional 3

Up next in our #GreatestGatorEver tournament is the 3 Regional. Before voting gets underway, let's take a closer look at the field. The bracket Regional participants (Players are listed in order they appear on the bracket.) (1) Al Horford (basketball, C/F-...

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: Regional 11

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: Regional 11

Eight Regionals down, one underway, and seven more to go in Round One of our #GreatestGatorEver tournament. Next up is the 11 Regional. The bracket Regional participants (Players are listed in order they appear on the bracket.) (1) Jack Youngblood (football, DE/DT/K-...

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: Regional 6

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: Regional 6

We're halfway through the opening round of our summer long #GreatestGatorEver tournament. Now, we shift to the right side of the bracket, and start at the top with the 6 Regional, which gets underway tomorrow morning. The bracket Regional participants (Players are...

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: Regional 12

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: Regional 12

The eighth and final Regional on the left half of the 256 player #GreatestGatorEver tournament is set to get started tonight. Another way of putting that: after tonight's 12 Regional voting, we will officially be halfway done with the opening round of this summer long...

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: Regional 5

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: Regional 5

Our #GreatestGatorEver tournament rolls on today with Round one of the 5 Regional. As was the case for the previous Regionals and will be for all ensuing Regionals, let's take this opportunity to refresh our memories regarding what, exactly, the sixteen players in...

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: Regional 13

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: Regional 13

With the 4 Regional of the #GreatestGatorEver tournament currently winding down, it's time to preview the Regional it's paired with in the Sweet 16: Regional #13. The 13 Regional bracket Regional participants (Players are listed in order they appear on the bracket.)...

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: Regional 4

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: Regional 4

Our #GreatestGatorEver bracket is set to continue tomorrow with the opening round of the 4 Regional. Let's get to know that 4 Regional: The bracket Regional participants (Players are listed in order they appear on the bracket.) (1) Emmitt Smith (football, RB-...

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: Regional 9

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: Regional 9

Our #GreatestGatorEver bracket is set to continue later today with the opening round of the 9 Regional. With voting in the 8 Regional closing soon, let's familiarize ourselves with said 9 Regional: The bracket Regional participants (Players are listed in order they...

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: Regional 8

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: Regional 8

Our #GreatestGatorEver tournament is off and running. Voting for the opening round of the 1 Regional has been completed; the 16 Regional is underway and will wrap up this afternoon. Shortly after its conclusion, the 8 Regional will get underway. So, let's get to know...

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: Regional 16

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: Regional 16

Yesterday, voting began in our #GreatestGatorEver bracket in the 1 Regional. Today, voting will continue with the 16 Regional, but before the polls open, let's preview the field and refresh our memories on the players' accomplishments. The bracket Regional...

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: Regional 1

#GreatestGatorEver bracket breakdown: Regional 1

Voting for the #GreatestGatorEver bracket begins this afternoon. In the name of eliminating potential recentism in the voting, I thought I'd set the stage by previewing each Regional before the voting gets underway. Today, we'll take a look at Regional 1, which of...

2021 guard Kowacie Reeves commits to Florida

2021 guard Kowacie Reeves commits to Florida

Mike White's 2021 recruiting class is off to a great start. Kowacie Reeves (Macon, GA) has committed to Florida. Reeves, a highly sought after four star, also earned offers from North Carolina, Texas, Auburn, Georgia and Seton Hall, among others. This commitment might...

Introducing the Greatest Gator Ever bracket

Introducing the Greatest Gator Ever bracket

Part of what has helped fans make it through a long, frustrating quarantine is the abundance of fan polls on social media. In particular, 64-team, March Madness themed brackets that allow fans to vote on the winner of each matchup in each round have captured a lot of...

Michigan F Colin Castleton transferring to Florida

Michigan F Colin Castleton transferring to Florida

Colin Castleton is coming home, and Florida is adding some more frontcourt depth for the future- potentially even next season. Castleton, who spent the last two seasons at Michigan, will be transferring closer to home and joining Mike White's Gator basketball squad....

Recapping the Gators’ weekend in the 2020 NFL Draft

Recapping the Gators’ weekend in the 2020 NFL Draft

The 2020 NFL Draft has just concluded, and once again, the Florida Gators were very well represented. Below is a list of all the selections from Florida. Click on the player names for further analysis on what they bring to their new teams. Florida Gators in the 2020...

How Dan Mullen fixed a broken Gator football program

How Dan Mullen fixed a broken Gator football program

What was a fractured program less than 30 months ago needed a hero to put it back together. In Dan Mullen, Florida found that hero. This is the story of the toxic culture he walked into, how he went to work taking it apart, and how he's replaced that toxic culture...

Tebow, Spikes, James inducted into UF Hall of Fame

Tebow, Spikes, James inducted into UF Hall of Fame

Three members of the Florida Gators' 2008 football team- universally regarded as one of the best in college football history- are finally getting the ultimate recognition they deserve- spots in the UF Hall of Fame. Explosive kick/return man Brandon James posted a...

Scottie Lewis to return for sophomore year

Scottie Lewis to return for sophomore year

Florida’s basketball team got a sort-of-but-not-really-surprising boost today, as shooting guard Scottie Lewis announced that he will be coming back for his sophomore season. Lewis, a ridiculously athletic kid from southern New Jersey, arrived in Gainesville last fall...

The “Kyle Trask Emory Jones” debate: why not both?

The “Kyle Trask Emory Jones” debate: why not both?

The "Kyle Trask Emory Jones" debate is in full swing. Yes, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic that has, among other things, lengthened college sports fans' offseason, the fanbase-wide argument regarding who should be the starter at the most important position of...

Coronavirus abruptly ends 2019-20 NCAA athletic season

Coronavirus abruptly ends 2019-20 NCAA athletic season

Photo credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images UPDATE 5:10pm: although it feels wholly logical to assume that college baseball and softball are over for 2020, the language in the two released statements- from the SEC and NCAA, and which you can read below- left one pair of...

TE Nick Elksnis commits to Florida

TE Nick Elksnis commits to Florida

Tight end Nick Elksnis (Jacksonville, FL/Episcopal) has announced his decision to be a Gator, thus netting Florida its first commitment of its Junior Day weekend. In doing so, Elksnis effectively flips from Penn State, from which he decommitted last week....

2020 Florida Gators’ Junior Day visitors list

2020 Florida Gators’ Junior Day visitors list

The Gators' second Junior Day event in Gainesville is upon us, and it's important to keep an eye on because more often than not, Florida uses it to add members to its list of commits. This time around, the chances of the Gators doing so are increased appreciably-...

Four star TE Gage Wilcox commits to Florida

Four star TE Gage Wilcox commits to Florida

Congratulations to Gage Wilcox. You, sir, have just become the first commit for Tim Brewster. Wilcox, a four star tight end from Tampa's Jefferson High School in the Class of 2021, committed on an Instagram Live video, as captured by twitter user @CurtisK421....

Florida takes step forward by throttling LSU

Florida takes step forward by throttling LSU

Photo credit: Florida Gators Maybe this is another mirage, the latest peak in a dizzying array of sine waves for Mike White’s Gator basketball team. Or maybe, after we all erroneously thought this team had turned the corner several times before, this is the game that...