Jim McElwain’s offensive history with tight ends

The second offseason under head coach Jim McElwain is quickly coming to a close. Summer classes are wrapping up and football camp is steadily trudging along in the dank Florida afternoons. For head coach McElwain, those afternoons are spent scheming and sculpting his offense into an image that will be presentable for 90,000 plus on September 3rd. In a McElwain offense, using tight ends is one of his many signatures. From his time at Alabama, to his first season at Florida, McElwain has been able to incorporate tight ends in a way that is purposeful and conducive to a healthy offense.

The Past:

When Jim McElwain scripts his offense, tight ends are almost always a recurring character. Not always the most noticeable, but an important piece, none the less. In his first season at the University of Alabama—then tight end Nick Walker—was the second leading receiver behind star wide out Julio Jones. Walker collected 32 catches for 324 yards and 2 touchdowns. After his first year offense debuted at Alabama, McElwain leaned on tight end Colin Peek as they strutted to their 13th National Championship in school history. Peek collected 26 catches for 313 yards and 3 touchdowns, one of those being a game changer against the Gators in the 2009 SEC Championship. McElwain continued his use of tight ends at Alabama until he departed after the 2011 season to take his first head coaching job at Colorado State University.

During his time at Colorado State, McElwain’s offense took shape and was able to turn into one of the most efficient offenses in all of college football. Some of this success can be traced back to tight end play of Kevon Cartwright and Crockett Gilmore. In McElwain’s first two seasons as head coach for the Rams, the Cartwright and Gilmore duo had over 1,600 yards receiving on 119 receptions and crossed the goal line 13 times.

Touchdowns and receptions are noticeable when looking at tight ends under McElwain, but what sometimes goes unnoticed are their blocking ability. While at Alabama, McElwain made it a point to get his tight ends to buy into being basically another offensive lineman; big physical guys who can push around lightening fast SEC defensive ends and are not afraid of contact, traits that he has tried to instill in the tight ends at Florida as well.

The 2015 McElwain tight end difference maker was Jake McGee. McGee was a sure-handed target that caught 41 passes for 381 yards and 4 touchdowns. McGee collected key catches on fourth down against SEC East rival Tennessee to keep drives alive and make one the epic comeback possible.

 

The Present

After an abysmal offensive finish to the 2015 season, McElwain now fields a team that has talented playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. Two important pieces of the highly talked about offense are C’yontai Lewis and DeAndre Goolsby. Lewis and Goolsby played both played as back ups to 6th year senior, Jake McGee, but both contributed in their first seasons at Florida and are eyeing possible breakout numbers in year two.

Following in the footsteps of McGee will be a tall order for for the young tight ends, but both will get a shot this fall as they step into starting rolls. DeAndre Goolsby held his own in his first season as a Gator. The freshman recorded 17 receptions for 277 yards and one touchdown. Lewis, in comparison, spent five games nursing a hand injury, but showed promise when he was healthy. In the home opener and the first game of his career, Lewis scored two touchdowns, which was a welcome sight to Gator fans.

The Future

Looking ahead to the 2017 recruiting class, the Gators have already received commitments from two tight ends. Kemore Gamble (6-4, 216, Miami, FL. Miami Southridge), committed in March and looks to be the next playmaking tight end under Jim McElwain. Gamble shined while camping at Florida this summer. No doubt Jim McElwain has to feel good about Gamble’s potential.

Just last week, the Gator coaching staff pulled tight end Zech Byrd (6-6, 240, Millbrook, AL, Stanhope Elmore High School) out of the state of Alabama. Byrd is a tall, sure-handed tight end that was being heavily pursued by recruiting powerhouse, Alabama Crimson Tide.

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