Offensive coordinator Brent Pease and defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin met with the media today:
- Pease feels good about the weapons Florida has on offense, he says they’ll need to be more balanced in the passing game with the loss of Jordan Reed. He stressed the importance of the receivers being more integrated into things.
- Pease calls freshman Demarcus Robinson a phenomenal athlete.
- Pease calls former walk-on running back Mark Herndon someone who is smart and runs the ball well.
- Pease says Herndon has a great attitude and has been grinding consistently.
- Pease compares converted defensive back Valdez Showers’ versatility to that of Omarious Hines and says he’s a bit of a scat running back.
- Pease says when Jones is back he’ll be the starter. Jones will continue to be expected to carry the ball a lot in the fourth quarter.
- Pease says senior Trey Burton is having a great camp, says he’s a great athlete that can play various roles but he’s gotten better at route running and wins more battles in one-on-one coverage, he’s had a really good camp.
- Pease says his offensive line is one that can take a game over if need be and they take pride in that physicality.
- Pease thinks offensive lineman Tyler Moore is somebody that can play multiple positions.
- Pease says offensive tackle Chaz Green is competing more, he’s also healthier and not getting fatigued as easily as last season.
- Pease says the emergence of Robinson and Ahmad Fulwood will decrease junior Loucheiz Purifoy’s workload.
- Pease says his play calling changes without former kicker Caleb Sturgis, when they cross the 50 they may need to get an extra first down because they may not have the luxury of someone that can make a field goal from the 40 yard line.
- Durkin loves guys like defensive tackle Dominique Easley who have a personality, he thinks he plays with an unbelievable motor.
- Durkin says the coaches encourage players to be who they are, helps create a family atmosphere among the team.
- Durkin says Easley takes pride in his performance.
- Durkin thinks freshman Marcus Maye has a great skill-set for the safety position.
- Durkin says cornerback Marcus Roberson has been great during camp, his weight is up to 200-pounds.
- Durkin says redshirt sophomore Leon Orr, junior Damien Jacobs, sophomore Jon Bullard and Darious Cummings are all guys to be counted on in run-defense.
- Durkin doesn’t want senior Jaylen Watkins to be lost in the shuffle, he’s a good corner as well.
- Durkin says freshman Vernon Hargreaves III is yet to be back with a shoulder injury, he’ll return soon.
- Durkin calls Toledo a very talented team, says they have running backs with a lot of quickness and a receiver with dynamic speed. They do a good job of getting them the ball in space.
- Durkin isn’t game planning yet for a 2014 schedule that features Alabama and LSU, he’s just focused on the Toledo Rockets.
- Durkin hasn’t noticed many more player scuffles this season compared to last year during training camp.
- Durkin says he’s OK with penalties that are just a player being aggressive and trying to do the right thing, he says that comes with the territory.
- Durkin says former Gator Jon Bostic’s hit last week has been circulating around the office and is something that been very popular among players and coaches.
- Durkin says he texted Bostic and told him that even though he got fined $21,000 for it, the good news is he has the money to pay for it.