This is part two of Gator Country’s Florida Football Mailbag.
NYGator96: At various times during camp, I’ve read that each of the 3 RBs with college experience was leading the way as the #1 back, with Etienne impressing as well. How do you see the rotation shaping up for week 1? Will it be an even split? I think we’re all scarred from the way Mullen rotated the backs. Who do you see getting the least reps?
Nick Marcinko: I don’t have a problem with approaching this season with a RB committee if it’s done the right way. The issue last season was that Dameon Pierce was by far the best running back in the room and he was proving himself every week, yet the coaching staff did nothing about it. I think you are going to see all four running backs touch the ball a lot this year, with Johnson and Wright leading the way. I think Etienne will get the least number of reps simply because he’s the least experienced. However, if Napier believes Etienne is ready to play, he isn’t going to shy away from playing him. At the end of the day Florida has four running backs with different abilities to offer the team. I think the staff can utilize this to benefit the team, it just needs to be managed correctly.
JimZGator: All my questions are around DT. How is big Des looking and can he play a good amount of snaps, or is his weight still holding him back ? How does Thomas look at DT. He did play some last yr. And how is McClellan and our often injured Humphreys look? Thanks
Nick Marcinko: I still don’t believe Desmond Watson is in good enough shape to play a significant amount of snaps this season. He missed the first few practices of fall camp which I think set him back. You will see him in on early down or goal line packages, mainly because Florida is going to need him to play. Thomas and McClellan are also going to play this year. The Gators will need everybody in the DT room to step up to the plate this year. I believe Humphries is probably buried on the depth chart, but like I said, everyone in the DT room will need to be ready to play.
TravlinGator: Has Diwan Black performed his way into significant PT this year?
Nick Marcinko: Diwun will see the field, but the LB unit is very crowded right now, especially with the emergence of Shemar James.
Juggernautz: What’s, IYHO, the strength and what is the most glaring weakness of our team plus that of the Ute’s?
Nick Marcinko: The strength of the Gators is the offensive line. The most glaring weakness is the defensive tackle room. The Gators lack the numbers and experience in that unit. Utah’s strength is their run game. They returned a pair of solid guards and the center. They will try to run the ball against the Gators. Their weakness is their LB unit and the OT’s. They have a brand-new pair of tackles that don’t have much experience. The Gators will try and take advantage of that by throwing a lot of pressure on them. It’s also going to be a tough environment to be playing your first major game along the offensive line. They also lost two LB’s, new faces there as well.
Gatorprincess8: How does both Los look?
Nick Marcinko: Pending multiple injuries, I don’t envision a problem on the offensive line this year. I think we have six guys that can really play, with high praise from the coaching staff for a couple more. The defensive line is a different story. I think the Gators sit in a decent spot at edge rusher, Brenton Cox and Princely Umanmielen should hold it down this year, with a few capable players off the bench. The DT room is thin, we are praying for no injuries there.
Scrum33: What’s the depth chart pecking order for LB’s? Curious how Chief has been looking in practice and where he fits in.
Nick Marcinko: You are likely going to see Miller and Burney start with James and Wingo playing a bunch as well. After that you’ll see Black, Williams, and Reese. Chief is going to have his hand in the dirt this season. He’s competing for a spot in the rotation at OLB.
Souljah2: Will the WRs be able to get separation in your opinion?
TEs, are there multiple sound blockers?
Nick Marcinko: I think the addition of Ricky Pearsall was huge for this team. He’s a guy that’s going to be able to get open in several different ways this season. I’m a little worried about the group as a whole though. Shorter and Henderson need to make huge improvements in that area this year. Whittemore is solid and will provide a nice one-two punch from the slot. I’m curious to see what guys like Reynolds, Burke, Bowman, and Fraziars can do this season. The Gators will need one or two of these guys to step up and be playmakers this season. I’m comfortable with our tight end room, I think we have two capable playmakers in Zipperer and Zanders. We also have some young talent in the room, those players are looking to make a name for themselves. Blocking is so tough to predict without watching real games, but I will say Florida will need the tight ends to be effective blockers, that’s going to be a major part of Napier’s scheme.
Millio21: Who’s getting the most work behind Rashad Torrence and Trey Dean? Mcmillon and Johnson?
what about Nickel?
Nick Marcinko: McMillon and Kamari Wilson. Nickel is likely going to be Trevez Johnson and Jadarrius Perkins. Could also see Kamar Wilcoxson at safety.
Duchen: Are there any posters here who bother you for whom you would like to see a couple of goons with tire irons show up when they aren’t expecting visitors?
Nick Marcinko: Message me privately.
Woodman44: What is the confidence level of this team inside the program? After being pre-season ranked outside the top 25, I’m hoping that we have that (underdog..hungry..time to prove something) mindset.
Nick Marcinko: I don’t think anyone in the program was expecting to be ranked in the top 25 but this team is confident, the coaching staff and the players.
GatorBred: Do you know when Shorter is expected back? We need him for the first two games imo.
Nick Marcinko: He should be back for Utah.
NYGator20133: How scripted do you think the first offensive series will be? I have to imagine a detail guy like Napier has spent a lot of time thinking about the first play of his coaching era.
Nick Marcinko: He’s going to have his set of plays ready to go. My prediction is a first down pass to Ricky Pearsall to get the crowd going.