In the midst of Florida naming its starting quarterback for Week 1, head coach Jon Sumrall also provided an update on the offensive line competition during Monday’s press conference.
“We’re really close there,” Sumrall said when asked if the Gators had decided on their starting offensive line.
As of now, Sumrall indicated that Bryce Lovett will start at left tackle, Knijeah Harris at left guard, Harrison Moore at center, TJ Shanahan Jr. at right guard and Emeka Ugorji at right tackle.
However, the lineup is not finalized. As Sumrall has stated for weeks, the Gators are expected to rotate several players along the offensive line during their first two games against FAU and Campbell as the coaching staff continues evaluating the position group.
“But I do think you’re seeing other guys. [TJ] Dice at tackle. Eagan Boyer tackle, and Caden Jones at tackle are all still very much alive. I would probably predict in the first couple games you’re still going to see us play a decent number of guys to work through it and see what gives us our best long-term group,” Sumrall said. “But that’s where we are today. And in the interior, we’ve got several other guys. I think Rod Kearney’s had a really good training camp. He’s kind of elevated as a guard that I think we can play with and win. And so, just kind of working through it. But that’s where we are right now.”
Sumrall hasn’t shied away from his concerns about the offensive line during his short time in Gainesville. It’s a group that lacks experience and production on tape and one that didn’t benefit from a proper strength and conditioning program in previous years.
Some of those concerns were eased during the scrimmage on Saturday, when Florida’s offensive line flashed in the run game, showing significant improvement from the previous week.
“I’ve had more concern up until this past week on the O-line. The O-line played their best scrimmage, their best football Saturday night since I’ve been here. I was freaking jacked. I was excited,” Sumrall said. “Offensive line has started to show more cohesion. Guys have elevated in certain spots.”
One of the players who has elevated his game in recent weeks is redshirt junior Bryce Lovett. The 6-foot-5, 305-pound offensive lineman has completely transformed his body, losing 43 pounds of fat while adding 22 pounds of lean mass over the offseason. During the summer alone, Lovett dropped 16 pounds while gaining four pounds of lean mass.
Lovett has played both guard and tackle, but most recently started at left tackle in Florida’s second fall scrimmage, where he played a key role in an opening-drive touchdown.
“Bryce Lovett can be as good as he wants to be,” Sumrall said. I’ve challenged him. Our staff’s challenged him. He’s responded. I think he has really elevated at tackle. He’s played a lot of guard. He’s played some tackle.”
“But the first play of the scrimmage the other night, I’m not going to give every detail, but the first drive, the best player on the first drive of the scrimmage the other night was either Jadan Baugh or Bryce Lovett — one of the two. The first drive was like, OK, let’s go. So he’s elevated.”
While the competition along the offensive line will be ongoing, Florida is starting to dial in its depth chart and determine how reps will be distributed in practice. With added cohesion among the five expected starters, Sumrall is seeing the unit play with more confidence.
“I think they’re gaining confidence,” Sumrall said. “Phil’s [Trautwein] done a really great job coaching them, and they’re starting to find their competitive edge and just how they have to play the game the right way. The O-line’s got to play with a little bit of chip on their shoulder, a little bit of the swagger, and a little bit of bravado. You got to bring it. You started to feel that last week.”