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Post by roxalot on Mar 27, 2016 22:06:09 GMT -5
Will find that photo for you, but in the meantime here's a song for you to enjoy. That's classic and accurate. I thought you'd like it.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2016 23:10:37 GMT -5
Spring Update - I think Thomas Holley's career is over and that he will inevitably be placed on a medical scholarship:
Gators Notebook: Gardner Impressive in Scrimmage, QBs had moments
By Scott Carter, Senior Writer | Monday, March 28, 2016
Chauncey Gardner 03.28.16
True freshman defensive back Chauncey Gardner performed well in Florida's first scrimmage of spring camp.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The day before Florida opened spring camp, Gators head coach Jim McElwain talked about the need to build depth at defensive back.
That was expected considering the loss of three key starters from his first season at UF: cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III, safety Keanu Neal and nickel Brian Poole.
Sounds as if the Gators are making progress, in part due to true freshman Chauncey Gardner. As McElwain recapped Thursday's scrimmage during his Monday press conference, Gardner drew praise for his play. "Chauncey was put to safety right away and actually caused a turnover down at the goal line, which was great to see," McElwain said. "He's a guy that sometimes isn't getting to the deep middle third like you'd like and some rotational things, but part of that is being young.
"I've been really proud of the way that he's come up and tried to play physical, especially in our team-run stuff. I'm sure glad he's here and he's a guy that's going to help this football team."
Gardner was a standout cornerback at Cocoa High. With the talented duo of Jalen Tabor and Quincy Wilson at corner, Gardner is getting reps at safety to expand his versatility. The same is true for fourth-year junior Marcell Harris, who is a safety.
Defensive coordinator Geoff Collins has moved Harris into a hybrid role where depending on the defensive alignment, Harris is essentially a linebacker.
"He's athletic enough to cover slot receivers, to cover tight ends,'' Collins said. "He's just a big, physical kid. Once he gets downhill and we start inserting him in the box or inserting him on the edge, he's a physical presence."
Meanwhile, McElwain said Monday fifth-year seniors Marcus Maye and junior Duke Dawson are working in nickel roles. Both are considered safeties but have the ability to play cornerback.
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QUARTERBACKS HAD THEIR MOMENTS
The first spring scrimmage produced mixed results for the four quarterbacks vying for positioning on the depth chart.
The veterans – redshirt sophomore Luke Del Rio and fifth-year senior Austin Appleby – remain in a close battle according to McElwain. 28806Freshman quarterback Feleipe Franks in action during spring camp. "Offensively, I thought they did a really good job of coming out at the beginning of the scrimmage, taking a couple drives down, punching it in," McElwain said. "Couple explosive passes, and that was good to see."
True freshmen Feleipe Franks and Kyle Trask showed poise in their first scrimmage action at UF, with both receiving reps running the first-team offense.
McElwain said no one has emerged as a clear-cut leader in the competition.
"Both of the young guys really threw the ball well,'' he said. "I was impressed with how they handled a lot of situations."
Overall, McElwain voiced an optimistic tone from the way the quarterbacks performed as a group. For the second consecutive season, McElwain is managing a quarterback battle that is expected to continue into fall camp.
"I thought all the quarterbacks had their moments, both good and bad, and yet, I think the consistency in which they played was pretty darned good,'' he said.
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HOLLEY'S CAREER OVER?
No one can say redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Thomas Holley didn't try. However, Holley's bad hip continues to hamper his ability to stay on the field. Holley lost more than 50 pounds since last season to help alleviate the discomfort and perhaps rejuvenate his career at defensive end instead of on the interior line.
For now, though, it appears Holley's career could be over as he is once again sidelined due to his injured hip.
"That's going to be a tough one," McElwain said Monday. "He did everything he could, obviously losing the weight and taking the pressure off that. We'll see where that is as the spring rolls on."
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INJURY REPORT
Sophomore running back Jordan Scarlett (leg) was held out of the scrimmage due to an injury but returned to practice Monday … Defensive tackle Caleb Brantley is sick and was kept from the team Monday as a precaution … Center Cam Dillard (broken nose) is expected back by the end of the week … Receivers Dre Massey (leg) and Ahmad Fulwood (leg) missed Thursday's scrimmage and should be back soon according to McElwain.
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QUOTE OF NOTE I
"DeAndre Goolsby really showed up in the last scrimmage. He made some really big plays in the pass game and has gotten a little bit better from a blocking standpoint, especially some point-of-attack stuff.'' – McElwain on Florida's junior tight end from Derby, Kan.
QUOTE OF NOTE II
"His hang time, when he swings his leg, I think we've got a chance to have a pretty good cover team because of him." – McElwain on kicker Eddy Pineiro
QUOTE OF NOTE III
"Still have the contract. Coached quarterbacks and receivers, taught classes, tended a bar, worked at J.C. Penney's. So I've come a ways." – McElwain, who now earns $4.25 million annually, on the $4,723 he earned from his first coaching job at Eastern Washington
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EXTRA POINTS
The Gators took 117 snaps during their first scrimmage of camp … Florida's second scrimmage of spring practice is scheduled for Friday … Redshirt junior receiver Alvin Bailey, who has been hampered by a sore back, caught the ball well in the scrimmage according to McElwain … Sophomore defensive lineman CeCe Jefferson spent part of Monday getting his driver's license, which McElwain approved. "I'm really excited about that. That's a heck of a thing,'' he said. Jefferson has been working to resolve a charge for driving without a license that occurred in December.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2016 11:56:51 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2016 12:11:43 GMT -5
3.31.2016
Attachment Deleted
GAINESVILLE, Fla.—The 2016 edition of the Orange & Blue Debut, presented by Sunniland, will be a special one.
For the first time ever, the annual spring game is scheduled for Friday night (April 8) at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium with a 7 p.m. kickoff. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. and admission is FREE.
Fans who are unable to make it to Gainesville can watch the game live on SEC Network with Joe Tessitore, Greg McElroy and Laura Rutledge calling the action.
Prior to kickoff, the BUBBA Burger Gator Fan Fest will be held on the North lawn outside the stadium. Included in the Fan Fest this year will be the Swamp Wing Cook-Off (see below for more details).
Fans wanting a little extra from their trip to the Swamp can go behind the scenes at Gator Walk, get pre-game field access or walk the field following the game through Experience Upgrades.
The No. 1-ranked Gators baseball team opens their three-game series with No. 14 Mississippi State on Friday at 5:30 p.m. at McKethan Stadium. The series continues on Saturday at 7 p.m. and concludes Sunday at 4 p.m.
To cap the night, fans can enjoy a fireworks show from the South end of the stadium after the conclusion of the Orange & Blue Debut, presented by Sunniland, and the baseball game.
For complete information on all the planned activities, see the information below. GATES Gates 1-4, 7, 12, 15 and 18 will open at 5:30 p.m. The Skybox lobby and Evans Champions Club lobby will open at 5:30 p.m. for fans with a ticket to the luxury areas. PARKING Due to UF classes being in session on Friday, April 8, on-campus parking options will be limited until normal parking restrictions are lifted. Fans should adhere to, and be aware of, posted parking restrictions and times of enforcement, if they choose to park on campus. The following options are available for fans coming to the baseball game or spring game. Flavet Field will be available for fans to park starting at 3:00 p.m. The O'Connell Center parking garage will be available for fans to park on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 3:30 p.m. until full. Fans must enter off of the SW 2nd Avenue entrance only into the O'Connell Center parking lot to get into the parking garage. FREE parking shuttles will start at 3:30 p.m. from the large Commuter parking lot on Gale Lemerand Drive. It will make two stops: (1) By Gate 2 of the O'Connell Center on Stadium Rd. for the Orange & Blue game and (2) in front of the Lemerand Athletic Center on Stadium Rd. by the right field entrance gate to baseball. The shuttle will run continuously until 30 minutes after the conclusion of the event that ends last. The main, flat portion of the O'Connell Center parking lot will be reserved parking only. EXPERIENCE UPGRADES Fans will have the opportunity to purchase any or all of three unique opportunities surrounding the Orange & Blue Debut, presented by Sunniland, through Experience Upgrades: (1) Gator Walk Behind-the-Scenes Experience, (2) Pre-Game Field Access or (3) Post-Game Field Access.1.Fans will have the chance to get special access inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for Gator Walk as the team enters The Swamp prior to the game. This opportunity is for adults and children age 12 and under. Due to NCAA compliance rules, those who could be classified as prospective student athletes are not eligible for this offer. 2.Fans will be able to stand on the sidelines during the team's pre-game warm ups prior to kickoff. 3.Fans will have the chance to walk the on part of Florida Field and take photos following the conclusion of the game after the team has cleared the field.
TOURS OF EVANS CHAMPIONS CLUB Fans interested in upgrading their 2016 season tickets will have an opportunity to tour the Evans Champions Club prior to the spring game. Group tours will begin at 3:30 p.m. Email premium@gators.ufl.edu for more information or to RSVP. For a chance to win seats in the Evans Champions Club for the spring game, take the #LoveTheSwamp survey: Tell Us Why You Love The Swamp
BUBBA Burger GATOR FAN FEST Booths and activities will be set up on the North End Zone lawn and will be open to fans beginning at 4:00 p.m.
GATOR WALK Scheduled to take place at 5 p.m. on the North end of the stadium.
SWAMP WING COOK-OFF For the first time, 15 lucky Gators will have the opportunity to showcase their cooking talents during the Swamp Wing Cook-Off. Contestants will be provided 50 wings to cook however they choose with a chance to win cash prizes for: •Best Overall Wing ($600 for first place, $300 for second, $150 for third) •Best Traditional/Wet Wing ($300 for first place, $200 for second, $100 for third) •Best Dry Rub Wing ($300 for first place, $200 for second, $100 for third) There will be a $50 entry fee for contestants. Interested fans can email promotions@gators.ufl.edu to secure their spot. Visit our Swamp Wing Cook-Off page for more details.
WING EATING CONTEST Prior to the game, fans can stop by Fan Fest and enter to take part in a wing eating contest. Five participants will be randomly selected at the end of the first quarter. The contest will take place at halftime.
GAME FORMAT (subject to change) The game will be four, 12-minute quarters with a running clock. The clock will stop on change of possession and during the two-minute drill at the end of each half. There will be no live kickoffs or punts.
FIREWORKS Following the conclusion of the spring game, there will be a fireworks show from the South End of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. (Note: The start of the fireworks show will be delayed if the baseball game is still being played across the street. The show will start once the game ends.)
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2016 15:28:06 GMT -5
Spring Update - Mac won't make a QB decision until summer camp, maybe after the first game of the season. It's nice to know UF has 4 options with none named Treon Harris:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In the quest to determine the best guy to be his starting quarterback next season, Gators head coach Jim McElwain is on another mission too.
He is in search of more consistency from a group that includes upperclassmen Luke Del Rio and Austin Appleby, and true freshmen Feleipe Franks and Kyle Trask. McElwain made that obvious Monday when asked to analyze the quarterback play in Friday's scrimmage, the second of spring camp.
"Eh, just OK,'' he said. "I mean not great, not bad, just kind of keep working on the consistency piece there."
Del Rio is the only member of the foursome with experience running the offense, but those reps came in practice last season as he sat out after transferring from Oregon State. Appleby, a graduate transfer from Purdue, and Franks and Trask are in the midst of their first camp with the Gators. All three joined the program in January.
McElwain appears content heading into the summer months without a clear-cut starter and to let the group renew their competition in fall camp.
"We'll get there,'' he said. "I think they were ahead of maybe where I thought during the start. I think we took some steps back. I'm not so sure they weren't pressing a little bit, trying to maybe create some things that weren't there."
Friday's scrimmage was another opportunity for McElwain and his staff to evaluate the quarterbacks in game-like situations. The reviews were mixed.
"Not horribly by any stretch of the imagination. And yet, my expectation at that position is held to a pretty high standard. But all four guys had their moments,'' McElwain said. "I think Austin probably stepped up and did some things in situational stuff that was good to see. I thought the team moved really well with Luke behind it, and both Kyle and Feleipe had their moments. You can tell there's some arm talent there."
While McElwain expressed concerns about consistency, he has been impressed the way the quarterbacks have commanded the huddle and communicated.
"There's not a lot of panic out there,'' he said.
*****
INJURY REPORT
The most notable injury heading into Friday night's Orange & Blue Debut spring game is an unspecified leg injury to offensive lineman Brandon Sandifer. McElwain said the team has shut down Sandifer the rest of spring camp.
Otherwise, freshman defensive back McArthur Burnett (unspecified strain), punter Johnny Townsend (stomach sickness) and offensive lineman David Sharpe (unspecified) should be ready for Tuesday's practice.
"For the most part, we've had a pretty injury-free spring,'' McElwain said. "I think you credit that to the strength and conditioning staff and what the guys did in preparation, as well as I think one of the things that goes unnoticed a little bit is the nutrition staff and how we've been able to increase awareness how guys are actually using and being educated in the nutrition piece, which has been a big push for us when we got here."
***** SPRING GAME FORMAT
The Gators will announce the format for Friday night's game and a pair of celebrity coaches later this week. McElwain is looking forward to Florida's first spring game at night and the atmosphere surrounding the game.
"It will be football. Fans will enjoy it,'' he said. "The one thing I've got to say, I'm a little upset about is not being a part of 'The Swamp' wing cook-off. I wish I could wheel my Big Green Egg over here and get right in the middle of that because, yeah, I'll put mine up against anybody."
*****
RECEIVERS RECEIVE PRAISE
The Gators lost their most productive receiver from McElwain's first season when junior Demarcus Robinson elected to pass on his final year of eligibility and enter the NFL Draft.
Veterans Ahmad Fulwood, Alvin Bailey and junior-college transfer Dre Massey are players the coaching staff is pushing to improve and make a difference. McElwain liked what he saw from the group in Friday's scrimmage.
"I'd say that is where maybe some [explosive plays] of have been created,'' McElwain said. "It has to maybe with a little bit of the competition at the position." McElwain said Massey "had four critical big plays" in the scrimmage, and that Fulwood "has that ability." He is looking for Bailey to step up.
"This is going to be a big week for Alvin Bailey,'' McElwain said. "I think he's been doing some really good things, but I think we need to see him get a little bit more involved in that because he has some of that ability now."
Meanwhile, junior Brandon Powell is coming along from offseason foot surgery. Powell has missed spring camp but is expected to play a critical role in the offense in 2016.
"What's been good is Brandon has been one of those guys that have been involved with it from getting with these guys sometimes on the sideline, and being available as a leader and understanding it's about helping everybody out,'' McElwain said. "We've gotten great reports on this last surgery that he had. Time will tell. In talking with him … he doesn't have that constant dull pain that he had at one time."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2016 15:50:02 GMT -5
Will Grier is transferring to West Virginia. I'll be very surprised if the NCAA shortens his suspension which doesn't run concurrent with the NCAA transfer year. Grier will have to sit out the 16 season and the first 6 games of the 17 season unless he wins his NCAA appeal. He couldn't get a guarantee from UF starting from game 7 of the 16 season as no player gets a guarantee except for the opportunity to compete, but he would have been eligible to play a year sooner than going to WVU. Unless he knows he couldn't win the UF job, this transfer makes no sense. In any case, I wish him success in getting past his unfortunate mistake and getting on to a successful future.
Former Florida quarterback Will Grier has picked a new school.
Multiple sources told ESPN’s Travis Haney that Grier will transfer to West Virginia and will sit out the 2016 season, per NCAA transfer rules.
There’s also another caveat that complicates Grier’s eligibility. The quarterback still has time to serve on his calendar year suspension handed down by the NCAA for usage of performance-enhancing drugs, which will expire on Oct. 15. According to Haney, Grier will work toward being eligible at the start of the 2017 season as a redshirt junior, but that will require an appeal to the NCAA to shorten his suspension..
Grier led the Gators to a 6-0 start before being suspended in October. He decided to transfer in December after recognizing that Florida did not provide any guarantees that he would earn back his starting job upon his return. Grier threw for 1,204 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions during his stint with the Gators.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2016 8:56:44 GMT -5
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Post by roxalot on Apr 8, 2016 16:39:51 GMT -5
The Orange & Blue Game is tonight. It will air on the SEC Network:
View Attachment Thanks , ET... I mistakenly thought the game was Sat. night... Only under a Godless Government can you legally kill your children and be sent to jail for disciplining them. Blaming a gun for a crime is like blaming a fork for Rosie O'donnell being fat. The D.C. gun ban works, just ask James Brady.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2016 20:51:55 GMT -5
4.8.2016
40,000 turned out for UF's first ever night spring game:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Some new faces on on the Florida football team put some big smiles on Florida football fan faces Friday night.
Third-year sophomore quarterback Luke Del Rio showed why he's established himself as leader in a race among four players who have never thrown a pass at UF. Del Rio, who sat out last season after transferring from Oregon State, completed 10 of 11 passes for 176 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions to lead the Blue team to a 44-6 rout in the annual Orange & Blue Debut before an estimated crowd of more than 40,000 in the first UF spring game ever held at night.
Del Rio fired touchdown passes of 15 yards to tight end DeAndre Goolsby and 19 to junior wide receiver Dre Massey. The Blue also got a 26-yard touchdown from junior running back Mark Thompson and 20-yard interception return by junior safety Duke Dawson.
And just for kicks (pardon the punt), freshman Eddy Pineiro went 3-for-5 on field-goal attempts, nailing boots from 52, 46 and 56 yards out, with his lone misses from coming from 54 and 52. He also was good on all five of his extra points and was roundly applauded by a crowd that watched the Gators struggle mightily to convert a kick during the 2015 season.
So, no, no one booed when Pineiro pushed his two misses wide right.
Worth noting: Pineiro, Thompson and Massey are all JuCo transfers and certainly made their mark and presence known to their new faithful.
Del Rio's best competition mostly came from Austin Appleby, the Purdue transfer who took snaps for both teams and combined to go 8-for-11 for 80 yards. The other two in the hunt, true freshmen Kyle Trask and Feleipe Franks had their moments. Track hit four of seven throws for 63 yards. Franks' had good and bad moments, with three of his first passes intercepted, including the TD return by Dawson. On the game's final play, though, Franks found tight end C'yontai Lewis, who missed the final 12 games of the season with a broken hand, for a 16-yard touchdown as time expired.
The Blue team wasted no time getting things going. Del Rio need just four plays to march his unit 75 yards, hitting junior wideout C.J. Worton for a nice completion down the middle, with Worton breaking a tackle and going 46 yards. Two plays later, Del Rio threw a nice touch pass over a linebacker to Goolsby for the score of the spring game.
Pineiro drilled the point-after and drew a louder round of applause than the TD.
On the very next series, Piniero was called on again. One of several players who alternated teams, Piniero lined up to attempt a 52-yard field for the Orange squad and bombed the kick into the middle of the netting with yards to spare, drawing an even louder ovation, and making the score 7-3 for the team quarterbacked by Appleby.
Del Rio answered with a five-play, 75-yard drive that was capped by running back Mark Thompson's 26-yard touchdown run to push the Blue in front 14-3. Thompson is a 6-foot-2, 242-pound junior college transfer from Pennsylvania who figures prominently in the UF backfield plans.
Enter Pineiro again. This time he finished off a stalled drive for Orange by piping a 45-yarder to make the score 14-6.
The first half ended with Feleipe Franks getting his first series as a Gator, but it ended with the interception and return by Dawson.
Franks then threw another pick on the opening series of the second half and Del Rio and the Blue went right to work. He hit senior wideout Chris Thompson, wide open across the middle, for 21 yards to the 8-yard line. On first down from there, Mark Thompson fumbled at the 5-yard line, but the ball squirmed loose into the open field, where Worton scooped it up and ran into the end zone to push the Blue ahead 21-6.
After giving way to Apple for a series, Del Rio returned to the lineup for the Blue late in the third quarter and early in the fourth roped a 19-yard touchdown strike to Massey, a former prep superstar quarterback in South Carolina, to push his team to a 28-6 lead.
It quickly became 35-6 when Franks threw his third interception of the night (on his fourth attempts), with Dawson taking it back 20 yards for a touchdown.
With just under five minutes left in the game, Pineiro made another appearance. This was a 54-yard attempt. Guess what.
Yes, more cheers.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2016 9:10:33 GMT -5
Has Hell Frozen Over? Robbie Andreau thinks UF has a chance to get back to Atlanta.
I'll take it one step further. UF will make it back to Atlanta and it wouldn't shock me if the Gators brought home the 16 SEC championship. The Gators are going to be much better than most people think is possible. They were pretty danged good last season until Will Grier brain farted. UF will be a better team in 16 than 15 when Grier led the Gators to a 6-0 start.
Spring ball thoughts from Robbie Andreau at the Gainesville Sun:
Robbies Playbook Some spring observations Monday, April 11, 2016 at 1:10 by Robbie Andreu As the Gators head into an important offseason, here are some final thoughts on spring practice and the Orange & Blue Debut:
•Based on the spring game alone, you’d think the quarterback competition is not that close and, in fact, appears to be over. But that is not the case. Luke Del Rio certainly was the best quarterback on the field Friday night, but he had the benefit of playing with the No. 1 offense (against the No. 2 defense) throughout the game. He should have performed better than Austin Appleby, who was with the twos going against the No. 1 defense, and the two true freshmen — and he did. But the battle for the starting role is just getting started. What happens this summer and in August camp will determine who takes the first snaps in the fall. Appleby had some success against the No. 1 defense and is right on Del Rio’s tail, and Kyle Trask is coming on fast and will be a factor. He appears to be the best pure passer among the four QBs. Also, don’t get down on Feleipe Franks because of his poor performance in the spring game. Overall, he had a good spring and has come a long way in the short time he’s been here.
•Jim McElwain and Tim Skipper obviously were serious when they revealed late in the spring that there are more than just three tailbacks fighting for the starting job. There is a fourth, and his name is Mark Herndon. He looked very good in the spring game and definitely is pushing Jordan Cronkrite, Jordan Scarlett and Mark Thompson for playing time. This figures to be a position of strength heading into the season. Cronkrite appears to be the most versatile among the backs and is my heavy favorite to eventually win the starting role.
•Jake McGee is a very good player who produced impressive numbers at tight end last season, but it’s pretty obvious there will be no drop-off at the position this season. DeAndre Goolsby and C’yontai Lewis are very athletic pass-catching tight ends who showed impressive playmaking ability throughout the spring, and in the spring game. These are going to be go-to guys in the passing game in what is obviously a tight end friendly offense. Camrin Knight looks like he’s going to be a player, too.
•The offensive line is much deeper and experienced than a year ago, but remains a huge question mark coming out of the spring. Protection was not all that consistent in the spring game, and the Gators have to be concerned with the lack of proven talent at the tackle positions. The starters — David Sharpe and Fred Johnson — appear solid, but there is be a big drop-off after those two. Getting Martez Ivey back this summer will help. He’ll likely be a starter at guard, but his ability to play outside will come into play in 2016.
•Going the junior college route can be a little bit of a gamble, but the Gators appear to have hit it big with the addition of Thompson, wide receiver Dre Massey and place-kicker Eddy Pineiro. All three had good springs and made impact plays in the spring game. Pineiro was the star of the game, and a big fan favorite. These three could have a major impact this season.
•Switching freshman safety Kylan Johnson to linebacker last fall turned out to be a great move by the coaches. Johnson looked like a natural at linebacker in the spring game, making plays from sideline to sideline. His ability in coverage brings an added dimension to the linebacker corps. Given Randy Shannon’s track record of developing linebackers, Johnson has a chance to turn into something special.
•Even though the versatile Jon Bullard will be missed, the defensive line has a chance to be as good or better in 2016. Caleb Brantley has become a dominant player in the middle and is playing with the consistent effort that was missing earlier in his career. Cece Jefferson looks like he’s going to be a disruptive tackle and end, while senior Bryan Cox Jr. seems poised to have a major breakout season at end. I was very impressed with some of the young linemen, including Jabari Zuniga, Keivonnis Davis, Luke Ancrum and true freshman end Jordan Smith. Smith is still raw, but he’s very athletic with a great frame. He has a chance to grow into a big-time player, kind of the same way Alex McCalister did.
•Jalen Tabor had a great spring and has a chance to become the best defensive back in school history. But, then you probably already knew that.
•Whoever wins the starting role at quarterback, it’s obvious the offense and the downfield passing game are going to be much better, and certainly more entertaining, than in the second half of last season, when the Gators regressed with a QB that didn’t fit what McElwain wanted to do in the offense.
•I like the Gators’ chances of returning to Atlanta much better now than I did at the start of the spring. I’m not saying they’re going to get there, but they have a chance.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2016 13:24:12 GMT -5
Early Projected Depth Chart For 2016:
OFFENSE
QB -- Luke Del Rio, Austin Appleby, Kyle Trask, Feleipe Franks RB -- Jordan Cronkrite, Mark Thompson, Jordan Scarlett, Lamical Perine WR(X) -- Antonio Callaway, C.J. Worton, Chris Thompson, Tyrie Cleveland WR(Y) -- Dre Massey OR Brandon Powell, Alvin Bailey, Joshua Hammond, Treon Harris WR(Z) -- Ahmad Fulwood, Freddie Swain, Ryan Sousa, Kalif Jackson, Rick Wells TE -- DeAndre Goolsby, C'yontai Lewis, Camrin Knight, Moral Stephens LT -- David Sharpe, Martez Ivey, Kavaris Harkless LG -- Antonio Riles, Richerd Desir-Jones, Brandon Sandifer C -- Cameron Dillard, T.J. McCoy, Brett Heggie RG -- Tyler Jordan, Nick Buchanan, Jawaan Taylor RT -- Martez Ivey OR Fredrick Johnson, Andrew Mike, Stone Forsythe
DEFENSE
WDE -- Jordan Sherit, Keivonnis Davis, Antonneous Clayton, Justus Reed, Jordan Smith DT -- Caleb Brantley, CeCe Jefferson, Taven Bryan, Jachai Polite NT -- Joey Ivie, Khairi Clark, Luke Ancrum, Andrew Ivie SDE -- Bryan Cox Jr., Jabari Zuniga, Thomas Holley WLB -- Jarrad Davis, Rayshad Jackson, Vosean Joseph MLB -- Alex Anzalone, Kylan Johnson, David Reese SLB -- Daniel McMillian, Matt Rolin, Jeremiah Moon CB -- Jalen Tabor, Chris Williamson, Christopher McWilliams FS -- Nick Washington, Chauncey Gardner, Quincy Lenton SS -- Marcus Maye, Marcell Harris, Jeawon Taylor CB -- Quincy Wilson, Joseph Putu, McArthur Burnett NB -- Duke Dawson, Chauncey Gardner
SPECIAL TEAMS
K -- Eddy Pineiro, Jorge Powell, Neil MacInnes P -- Johnny Townsend, Jon Gould, LS -- Ryan Farr, Jonathan Haney, Devin Grimm, Jacob Tilghman KR -- Dre Massey or Brandon Powell, Chris Thompson, Freddie Swain, Chauncey Gardner PR -- Antonio Callaway, Dre Massey, Chauncey Gardner, McArthur Burnett
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2016 15:51:46 GMT -5
4.26.2016 - From floridagators.com:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Florida-Miami rivalry has a new date.
The Gators and Hurricanes have agreed to a deal to kick off the 2019 season, marking their first meeting since 2013. The Camping World Kickoff is scheduled for college football's opening weekend at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, which as part of a new naming rights deal, will be known as Camping World Stadium starting Wednesday.
Ticket information including pricing and location will be announced at a later date from the Gator Ticket Office.
"We are pleased to have partnered with Florida Citrus Sports and ESPN Events to kick off the 2019 season against Miami,'' Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley said. "Orlando is a great Gator city and we look forward to playing in front of our fans from all over the state of Florida and beyond."
The Gators and Hurricanes have a long history dating back to their first meeting in 1938 in Gainesville. Miami leads the all-time series 29-26 and won the last meeting three years ago at home.
While the series was played annually until 1987, the Camping World Kickoff is only the second time the schools will play in Orlando. The Gators defeated the Hurricanes 19-10 at what was then known as the Tangerine Bowl in 1976, Florida taking the lead in the fourth quarter on a blocked punt by Jeff Kanter for a safety.
The Florida-Miami neutral-site game is part of the Camping World Kickoff series that also includes season openers in 2016 and 2018 in Orlando.
"I am thrilled that a Florida and Miami matchup is on the schedule,'' said Marcus Lemons, chairman and CEO of Camping World and host of "The Profit" on CNBC. "This is the type of high-quality matchup that will drive fans to Camping World Stadium. This matchup will be thrown down at the 50-yard line."
The 2019 clash will be the seventh neutral-site game in the rivalry's history. The schools have met in Jacksonville (1958-59), Orlando (1976), Tampa (1984), New Orleans (Sugar Bowl) and Atlanta (Peach Bowl) previously, splitting the six games.
The 1984 game at Tampa Stadium was ESPN's first live regular-season college football night game, which Miami won 32-20 behind quarterback Bernie Kosar.
"We always want to provide the fans with the ultimate experience, and the Gators meeting the Hurricanes in the heart of Florida certainly delivers that,'' said Pete Derzis, senior vice president for ESPN Events. THE FLORIDA-MIAMI RIVALRY OVER THE YEARS
Year Winner Score Location
1938 Miami 19-7 Gainesville 1939 Florida 13-0 Miami 1940 Florida 46-6 Miami 1941 Florida 14-0 Miami 1942 Miami 12-0 Miami 1944 Florida 13-0 Miami 1945 Miami 7-6 Miami 1946 Miami 20-13 Gainesville 1947 Florida 7-6 Miami 1948 Florida 27-13 Gainesville 1949 Miami 28-13 Miami 1950 Miami 20-14 Gainesville 1951 Miami 21-6 Miami 1952 Florida 43-6 Gainesville 1953 Miami 14-10 Miami 1954 Miami 14-0 Gainesville 1955 Miami 7-6 Miami 1956 Miami 20-7 Gainesville 1957 Florida 14-0 Miami 1958 Florida 12-9 Jacksonville 1959 Florida 23-14 Jacksonville 1960 Florida 18-0 Miami 1961 Miami 15-6 Gainesville 1962 Miami 17-15 Miami 1963 Florida 27-21 Miami 1964 Florida 12-10 Gainesville 1965 Miami 16-13 Miami 1966 Miami 21-16 Gainesville 1967 Miami 20-13 Miami 1968 Florida 14-10 Gainesville 1969 Florida 35-16 Miami 1970 Miami 14-13 Gainesville 1971 Florida 45-16 Miami 1972 Florida 17-6 Gainesville 1973 Florida 14-7 Miami 1974 Florida 31-7 Gainesville 1975 Florida 15-11 Miami 1976 Florida 19-10 Orlando 1977 Florida 31-14 Miami 1978 Miami 22-21 Gainesville 1979 Miami 30-24 Miami 1980 Miami 31-7 Gainesville 1981 Miami 21-20 Miami 1982 Florida 17-14 Gainesville 1983 Florida 28-3 Gainesville 1984 Miami 32-20 Tampa 1985 Florida 35-23 Miami 1986 Miami 23-15 Gainesville 1987 Miami 31-4 Miami 2000 Miami 37-20 New Orleans** 2002 Miami 41-16 Gainesville 2003 Miami 38-33 Miami 2004 Miami 27-10 Atlanta& 2008 Florida 26-3 Gainesville 2013 Miami 21-16 Miami
**Sugar Bowl &Peach Bowl
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2016 11:03:53 GMT -5
Florida made SEC/NFL history yesterday becoming the second SEC team since 1967 to have two DBs drafted in the first round of the NFL draft:
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CHICAGO – Former Gators Vernon Hargreaves III and Keanu Neal were both selected in the top 20 of Thursday night's 2016 NFL Draft, marking just the second time in Southeastern Conference history two defensive backs from the same team were taken in the first round.
Hargreaves was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 11th overall pick in the draft, while the Atlanta Falcons chose Neal with the 17th overall pick.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2016 21:30:31 GMT -5
Jonathan Bullard was taken in the NFL draft by the Chicago Bears with the 72nd pick in the 3rd round. He was projected to go in the early to middle 2nd round. I think the Bears got a good value taking him in the early 3rd round. Bullard is versatile in that he can play SDE and 3 technique DT:
Gainesville Sun By Robbie Andreu Staff writer
Published: Friday, April 29, 2016 at 7:23 p.m.
Last Modified: Friday, April 29, 2016 at 7:23 p.m.
Projected as a second-round pick, Florida defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard had to wait until the third round to hear his named called at the NFL draft in Chicago on Friday night.
Bullard, a first team All-SEC selection and team captain this past season, was selected by the Chicago Bears with the ninth pick in the round and the 72nd overall.
Bullard is considered one of the more versatile defensive linemen in the draft because of his ability to play end and tackle.
Bullard is coming off a strong senior season in which he totaled 66 total tackles, had 17.5 tackles for losses and 6.5 sacks to go along with six quarterback hurries.
Bullard considered entering the draft a year ago, but the league recommended he stay for his senior season.
For his UF career, Bullard started 36 games and recorded 178 total tackles with 33.5 tackles for losses and 12 sacks.
His is the third Gator to be drafted, joining first-round picks Vernon Hargreaves III (Tampa Bay) and safety Keanu Neal (Atlanta).
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From SEC Sports:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard could have turned pro last year, but the former five-star recruit didn’t like his feedback from the NFL.
He was projected to go in the third or fourth round, so he came back for his senior season and had seemingly improved his draft grade.
Analysts expected Bullard to be an early second-round pick, but he slipped to the third round Friday and was selected by the Chicago Bears with the No. 72 overall pick of the 2016 NFL draft.
At Florida’s Pro Day, Bullard said not being able to declare as a junior motivated him.
“When the NFL comes and tells you you’re not good enough to be what you want to do for the rest of your life, that puts a chip on your shoulder,” Bullard said. “So I used that chip, went in, worked hard and just proved that I’m one of the best D-linemen in the country.
“But the NFL told me to come back, and that’s all that matters. Every team has their opinion, just like this year I had some first-round grades, some second-, maybe third-round grades. It just takes one team to like you.”
There was a lot for the Bears to like about Bullard. In 2015, he was a unanimous first team All-SEC selection and earned first team All-American honors from CBSSports.com and Pro Football Focus.
Bullard led the Gators with 17.5 tackles for loss, the most by a Florida player since Alex Brown had 18 in 1999. He also tied for the team-high in sacks (6.5).
“What is there to say, the guy’s a great player,” UF coach Jim McElwain said of Bullard. “Obviously had a great year for us.”
The 6-foot-3, 285-pound finished his Florida career with 178 tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks in 50 games played (36 starts). As a senior, Bullard figured out the 3-technique is his best position for the next level and also developed as a player and person off the field.
“It helped a lot,” Bullard said of his senior season. “I matured as a person. I matured as a football player. I learned different habits. I studied more. Just sometimes it’s must a maturity thing.
“I watched more film this year than ever, and that just helped me. I think it’s something that’s going to help me in the long run. Now I don’t have to do it in the NFL, I know how to do it.”
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2016 15:57:49 GMT -5
Five Gators taken in the first four rounds - Kelvin Taylor, Alex McCalister, Jake McGee, and Brian Poole are still available:
CHICAGO -- Former Gator linebacker Antonio Morrison and wide receiver Demarcus Robinson were selected in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs, who chose them with the 125th and 126th overall picks, respectively. Morrison and Robinson join defensive backs Vernon Hargreaves III (first round, 11th overall, Tampa Bay), Keanu Neal (first round, 17th overall, Atlanta), and Jonathan Bullard (third round, 72nd overall, Chicago) to total five draft picks for the Gators through four rounds. The Gators are one of five teams in the country to have at least five players drafted in the first four rounds this year.
Morrison is the sixth UF linebacker taken in the last four NFL Drafts, joining Dante Fowler Jr. (first round, 3rd overall, 2015), Neiron Ball (fifth round, 161st overall, 2015), Ronald Powell (fifth round, 169th overall, 2014), Jon Bostic (second round, 50th overall, 2013), and Jelani Jenkins (fourth round, 104th overall, 2013). "I like him on tape as a football player," ESPN's Todd McShay said following Indianapolis' pick. "Instinctive, really good with his eyes, quick, solid and a good tackler. He plays tough. Morrison is a good football player when he's on the field." Robinson is the eighth Florida wide receiver drafted since 2006. At 126th overall, Robinson is the first Gator wideout since Percy Harvin went 22nd overall and Louis Murphy went 124th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. "He's a smooth athlete," McShay said after Kansas City's selection. "I talked to some scouts that thought he may be one of the top 10 talents at wide receiver. He'll be an interesting player to watch as we track him and his development." Morrison is the 13th player in program history selected by the Colts, who last chose a Gator in 1999, when they took linebacker Mike Peterson with the 36th overall pick. Robinson is just the eighth UF player drafted by the Chiefs, with defensive back Randy Clark (202nd overall, 1984) being the most recent prior to Saturday afternoon. You can read about how Hargreaves' and Neal's top-20 selections made school history here. Learn more about Bullard's selection here.
Gators 2016 NFL Draft Notes •Only Florida, Ohio State (12), Alabama (7), Notre Dame (7), and Clemson (5) had at least five players drafted in the first four rounds. •This marks the third time in the last four years and 29th time in program history at least five Gators were selected in the NFL Draft. •This is the third time since 2010 and sixth time in since the common and modern draft eras began in 1967, five Gators were taken within the first 130 picks, joining the 1978, 1999, 2002, 2010, and 2013 classes. •Also for the third time since 2010 and fifth time since the common and modern draft eras began in 1967, four UF defensive players were taken within the first 125 picks, joining the 1999, 2007, 2010, and 2013 classes. •Florida was one of only nine programs and one of three SEC schools with at least three players drafted in the first three rounds, with the others being Ohio State (10), Alabama (7), Notre Dame (6), Clemson (4), Boise State (3), Ole Miss (3), Penn State (3), and USC (3). •For the fourth time since 2010, 10th time since 1998, and 17th time in program history at least three Gators were drafted in the first three rounds. •In Thursday night's first round, Vernon Hargreaves III and Keanu Neal became the fourth pair of collegiate defensive backs from the same team to both be top-20 picks since the start of the common and modern draft eras (1967) •The other three duos to do so were Alabama's Mark Barron and Dre Kirkpatrick (2012), Texas' Michael Griffin and Aaron Ross (2007), and USC's Ronnie Lott and Dennis Smith (1981). •Florida had three defensive players drafted in the first three rounds for the sixth time in program history. •At least one Florida player has been selected in every NFL Draft since 1952, the longest streak in SEC history.
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