2015 SEC East Preview: Tennessee Vols On Top
4. Florida Gators
Jim McElwain has inherited quite the mess at Florida. Once a seemingly impossible scenario, Florida is really lacking in talent, despite residing in a recruiting hotbed. You can draw some parallels to what Butch Jones inherited at Tennessee a few years ago. I think Florida is in for a similar situation. McElwain probably isn’t going to find a quick fix for year one and will have to get creative due to a lack of talent and depth on offense.
June 29, 2013; Beaverton, OR, USA; Will Grier Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Florida’s number one concern has to be the offensive line. It doesn’t matter who you put under center if you can’t protect them. Florida lost their center in Max Garcia and their left tackle in D.J. Humphries. McElwain will have to find solutions there while dealing with an overall lack of bodies up front.
At quarterback, Will Grier figures to get the green light over Treon Harris. Grier was a big time recruit two seasons ago, but got the redshirt during his first year on campus. McElwain is hoping that Grier can be the long term solution.
Florida isn’t totally without talent on offense, however. Kelvin Taylor should be in for a big time role this season. Taylor averaged nearly five yards per carry last season, but his success this year will largely depend on offensive line play. Florida also returns Demarcus Robinson, a big time threat on the outside. Robinson shined last season, despite the brutal quarterback play.
Defensively, Florida must find a way to replace do-it-all Dante Fowler Jr.. The Gators need veterans like Jon Bullard and Brian Cox Jr. to step up and provide a pass rush.
The secondary is the strongest part of this roster, largely due to Vernon Hargreaves III. Hargreaves is the Darrelle Revis of this team. He truly takes away half of the field. Hargreaves will play alongside a lot of experience this season with safeties Keanu Neal and Marcus Maye returning.
Florida has a great chance to start the year 3-0, but the next five weeks will define their season. They get Tennessee, Ole Miss, Missouri, LSU and Georgia in consecutive weeks without a break. Florida could very easily go from 3-0 to 3-5 very quickly.
Next: South Carolina Gamecocks