Well, a good example of that was Jeff Driskel. He was a 5-star who was ranked number one as a dual-threat QB. But, his HS coaching was far less than elite, and he dominated at that level based on raw talent alone. When Muschamp did such a pathetic job developing him here, I think Jeff truly was a diamond in the rough. He proved that when he transferred for his senior year, got some good coaching, and lit up the scoreboards all season, albeit in a lower-tier league.
How unfortunate. I swear sometimes I think Mullen started checking out inside of a year after arriving at UF. The guy was downright negligent
Very true, I think. That didn't impact Driskel, though. He came in under Muschamp and left when McElwain was hired.
Thanks for straightening me out on that. It was horrible coaching and cost Driskel a better college career. He was a great Gator - it was an injustice
FIX THE DEFENSE! Give Mertz time and he will carve up any defense this year. But with a competent Gators defense, simple play action will work. We have several backs who can keep chains moving, Wilson everywhere with at least a couple other WRs plenty good and capitalizing on Wilson double teaming, Boardingham likelyto break out... FIX THE DEFENSE!
I am not trying to defend Napier on the 2023 UF Defense. Like any other team of coaches, there were some coaching mistakes on that Defense. Also, after the 2022 season, the Gator D had to be reshuffled due to transfers in and out via the Portal and preseason injuries to Boone and Caroll. Another factor was loosing Shemar James in the Florida Georgia game. The Gator D was never the same after that injury. In spite of losing James, the Gator offense still played well enough to keep the last four games more than close. If the Gator D had James and more depth, I am sure they could of picked up at least two more wins.
Seems like we always lose someone crucial to our team in the Georgia game. They always play so physical, win or lose.
I agree. I still remember that stretch from 1978 to 1983. The Gators lost to UGA six straight times. The Gators broke that losing string in the very memorable 1984 game with a 27-0 butt whipping of the Dawgs! There was a story in the Florida Times Union Sunday edition (following that game). The story was about two old time Gator fans. Those two suffered together during that losing streak. One of those friends died a short time before the 1984 game. The surviving friend went out that Sunday morning with the sports section of that paper in hand. He went to his fiends grave. He left the sports page face down so that his buddy could read about the game.
Yes, he should be closer to that point. But, everybody needs to learn the system, get accustomed to the speed of the college game and the skills of the defenders, as well as get in synch with their receivers and OL. I mean, look at Arch Manning. Not only was he the number one rated QB recruit last year, he was the number one recruit. And, he didn't start in year one.
They have Evers though. In a pinch, he may have done ok as a true fresh as that’s what the fifth star is supposed to indicate. Waiting and learning is always better but they all don’t get that advantage.
All true. Now, FIX THE DEFENSE! Everything looking up. Hopefully Robert's is able to accomplish what he's here for and provide the iron and experience we've been lacking. I'm ready to see it on the field. The roster is improving and the new transfers seem to be of experience and quality. Still, we are relying heavily on a handful and assuming they will step up to SEC level.
