Since Billy Napier was hired on Nov. 28, much of the discussion surrounding the Gators has been about the future. With the splash that Napier made on early national signing day and the seemingly never-ending staff that he’s putting together, fans have reason to believe that brighter days might be on the horizon.
However, it’s almost time to stop dwelling on the future and start thinking about what the 2022 season might entail for the Gators. They’ll begin spring practice in less than three weeks.
Until then, we’ll break down what to watch for from each position during the spring. We’ll continue today with the wide receivers.
The Returnees
Marcus Burke, Ja’Quavion Fraziars, Xzavier Henderson, Jordan Pouncey, Daejon Reynolds, Justin Shorter, Ja’Markis Weston and Trent Whittemore
It feels like there is a wide range of possible outcomes with this group. They could become one of the better receiving corps in the SEC and be one of the Gators’ strengths, or they could become a major liability. That’s because four or five of their top players were highly ranked recruits who haven’t done anything special in college yet.
The physical traits are there; now receivers coach Keary Colbert has to get the most out of that talent.
Shorter is the top returning player. He caught 41 passes for 550 yards and three touchdowns last season. He’s basically the size of a small tight end at 6-foot-5 and 228 pounds, which allows him to make some contested catches down the field. However, he needs to improve his route-running to get open more often and play with more consistent aggression.
When he uses his big frame to go up and get the ball, he’s virtually uncoverable. Unfortunately, he’s been too passive at times and allowed smaller defensive backs to make a play on the ball.
Henderson is a similar type of player as Shorter, though he’s lankier and a bit faster. He caught 26 passes for 277 yards and two scores last year. Like Shorter, he needs to work on his route-running this spring. He can’t just be a screen and go route type of player anymore.
Burke and Reynolds were the only two receivers in the 2021 class, and Burke showed some promise in limited action. He made a 61-yard reception against South Carolina. They’ll both look to take advantage of Jacob Copeland’s departure and the coaching change to snag more playing time this fall.
Fraziars and Weston are a couple of more big-bodied receivers, but they’ve combined for just 12 catches in five seasons.
Whittemore could be the biggest key to this unit. The Gators don’t have any of those shifty slot receivers that are a threat to take it to the house every time that they touch the ball. Whittemore is the closest thing they have to that. He only caught 19 passes for 210 yards in 2021.
If he’s able to produce much more than that this season, it would force defenses to defend the whole field instead of ignoring the middle part of the field, which would help out the other receivers and the quarterback.
The Newcomers
None
The Gators’ lone receiver signee, Caleb Douglas, won’t enroll until the summer.
Breakout Watch
Marcus Burke
He probably has the most diverse skillset among the receivers. He’s big enough (6-foot-4, 183 pounds) to make big plays down the field like the one he made against South Carolina last year, but he’s also quick enough to play in the slot.
That kind of versatility should make him an attractive option for a coaching staff that will be searching for playmakers this spring. He could have a big season if he’s able to impress the coaches this spring.
Three Questions
1. Can Shorter become a true No. 1 receiver?
In his first two years at Florida, he served in a complementary role as the jump ball guy in the red zone. That was fine then, but the Gators need him to become a reliable No. 1 target that catches 60-plus balls this year.
To do that, he’ll need to become a more polished route-runner this spring.
2. Who will step up to provide depth?
Shorter, Henderson, Whittemore and Burke should form at least an above average receiving corps, but they’re going to need more than just four receivers that they can trust.
At least one of Fraziars, Reynolds and Weston will need to have a strong spring and put themselves in a position to play in the fall.
3. Will the perimeter blocking improve?
Players such as Freddie Swain, Josh Hammond, Tyrie Cleveland, Trevon Grimes and Van Jefferson were known as much for their terrific perimeter blocking in the running game as they were for their receiving skills.
That wasn’t the case with last year’s receiving corps. Too many times, it looked like the running back was about to burst into the open field, only to be tackled by a cornerback after just a few yards.
The offensive line needs to be much better this year, but the receivers also need to do a better job of executing their blocking assignments for the running game to become more consistent. Developing that toughness and that selfless mentality starts in spring practice.