Florida Gators fall football camp mailbag

We asked and you guys answered, this week’s mailbag is full of questions about the Florida Gators. The team won’t take the field for their second scrimmage of fall camp tonight at six, so kick back and enjoy the mailbag until we have updates from scrimmage tonight!

G8trJasonB: There’s been some buzz that our defensive line may be getting overlooked a bit because of the secondary. Specifically, Jax radio host Frank Frangie says we may see the best defensive line at UF since 2009. Based on what you’ve seen and are hearing, what are your thoughts?

While I’m not ready to say that this defensive line will be up to the one that featured Carlos Dunlap, Jermaine Cunningham, Jaye Howard and Justin Trattou, I have been pleasantly surprised with how the young group has looked.

I took a, “I’ll believe it when I see it” stance on Caleb Brantley heading into this fall, but everything I’ve seen and have been told about Brantley leads me to believe that he has truly turned the corner. Jon Bullard promises to have a great senior campaign and the emergence of Joey Ivie and Taven Bryan is very encouraging.

Alex McCalister will need to have one heck of a season in the sack department to make up for the loss of Fowler, coming somewhere close to his goal of 10 sacks on the season.

OakTownGator: Sounds like we’re happier with TE/H-Back play than WR play so far. Should we expect a lot of plays out of 12 sets (two TE sets) this fall?

Absolutely. McElwain used two tight end sets a lot at his last two stops and given how disappointing the wide receivers are, have been, and in my opinion, will be, Mac will need to find other options on offense. Right now that looks like Jake McGee, C’yontai Lewis and DeAndre Goolsby will be getting a lot of opportunity in the passing game and also look out for the running backs to be heavily involved in the passing game as well.

 

IndianaStew: Has there been any significant progress on the WR group? With our awful depth, is there anyone new emerging that could make a difference this year?

Not really. There are four names that I hear a lot: Demarcus Robinson, C.J. Worton, Brandon Powell and Antonio Callaway. That’s it. The rest of the wide receiver group has had flashes of progress but like a shooting star, the progress is quick and temporary.

 

Gator_nica: We would appreciate any new info on the QB´s. What have you heard from the players catching passes from them? Who do they prefer? Who throws a more easier pass?

I stated in the spring that Will Grier would be the starting quarterback when the games began this fall and I’ve never wavered from that stance. Everything I’m hearing behind the scenes is that Grier continues to separate himself and that Treon Harris has struggled throwing interceptions in practice.

McElwain can’t afford to have one quarterback transfer before the season starts, so expect him to continue to say that the quarterbacks are too close to call and the battle is still going on. However, I still fully expect Grier to be named the starter when it’s all said and done.

 

Cbseptic: Alright Vegas has UF at 7.5 wins. Are you over or under with your mortgage payment on it?

I’m glad I rent. 7.5 is the perfect number and right now I’ll pick under at seven wins.

 

LurkinGator1: How much can we really know about this team based on fall camp reports ? What will we see against New Mexico State? when will we see the full gator Offense Game 1,2,3 ?

During the open portions of practice I’m able to see several things. How are players performing (route running, hands, passing, defensive technique etc…), which players are working with the first team and some scheme things as far as how the offense and defense are working in new things to their base packages.

Make no mistake about it, I’m very aware that the coaching staff knows when the media is out there and control every second of what is being shown to the media.

New Mexico State is a really bad football team. They don’t have the athletes to run with Florida and the Gators will likely roll all over them, just like they did against Eastern Michigan a year ago. I hope fans can keep the first two weeks in perspective and not get crazy if Florida blows out two overmatched opponents.

As for the “full Gator offense” I would hope that you would be able to see it in the first two games.

 

FrankGator627: Who will be the starting OL from Left to Right?

My opinion: David Sharpe, Trip Thurman, Cam Dillard, Mason Halter, Martez Ivey

 

FrankGator627: I’ve heard a lot of good buzz about Fred Johnson on the OL. What have you heard?

Johnson has emerged this fall camp and is getting better as he gets more comfortable with what is being asked of him at practice and in the film room. Right now he’s making a push to get into that eight man rotation along the offensive line.

 

KyleM923: From what Mac has said, our base defense for several opponents will be the nickel. Assuming Morrison isn’t able to play, who starts at LB?

Jarrad Davis and Alex Anzalone.

Florida’s base defense, for all intents and purposes, will be the nickel this year. Other than LSU and Georgia they’ll be going up against spread offenses all season.

 

Swampie: Would like to know about our depth at Linebacker without Morrison? How are we looking?

Paper cut thin. Mac is less than pleased with Rolin’s inability to stay on the field and after the big three (Davis, Anzalone and Morrison) Florida really has only Jeremi Powell (a special teams player), Daniel McMillian and freshman Rayshad Jackson.

 

Gator_n_bmore: Chances Scarlett ends the year with more carries than Taylor if both are healthy?

I wouldn’t count it out. A lot will depend on how Taylor blocks and catches the ball out of the backfield. If he continues to improve as we have seen some this fall, he should be on the field more than he has been the past two seasons. The thing is, I know that Scarlett can block and catch the ball out of the backfield, so if Taylor can’t do it on Saturday, he may go from looking over his shoulder to looking at the back of Scarlett’s jersey.

Gatordon: Are things looking more positive on offense compared to where they were? Perhaps the offense may not be as struggling to maintain itself. Too optimistic?

I think that’s optimistic. In my opinion, the Gators just don’t have enough talent to have the kind of offense that fans want. Mac and the coaching staff are doing the best with what they have and also doing some serious recruiting to fill the voids on the roster.

 

Gatorfan96: How’s Antonio Callaway doing? Haven’t heard much about him recently.

In my opinion he’s one of the best receivers on the team. Demarcus Robinson, C.J. Worton and Callaway are the guys I’m comfortable with at receiver. That’s it.

 

Lloydperkins53: How is Brandon Sandifer doing on the OL?

Heavy Chocolate (his Twitter handle) is doing well, coming along nicely.

 

Tito22: In your eyes who has been the most impressive looking freshman this offseason?

My list is Martez Ivey, CeCe Jefferson, Jabari Zuniga, Antonio Callaway, Jordan Scarlett, Jordan Cronkrite, Rayshad Jackson, Fred Johnson and Tyler Jordan.

Nick de la Torre
A South Florida native, Nick developed a passion for all things sports at a very young age. His love for baseball was solidified when he saw Al Leiter’s no-hitter for the Marlins live in May of 1996. He was able to play baseball in college but quickly realized there isn’t much of a market for short, slow outfielders that hit around the Mendoza line. Wanting to continue with sports in some capacity he studied journalism at the University of Central Florida. Nick got his first start in the business as an intern for a website covering all things related to the NFL draft before spending two seasons covering the Florida football team at Bleacher Report. That job led him to GatorCountry. When he isn’t covering Gator sports, Nick enjoys hitting way too many shots on the golf course, attempting to keep up with his favorite t.v. shows and watching the Heat, Dolphins and Marlins. Follow him on twitter @NickdelatorreGC

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