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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2017 14:54:47 GMT -5
2.23.2017
Florida has a handful football players changing positions this spring.
UF coach Jim McElwain announced Thursday that defensive back Duke Dawson and offensive lineman Martez Ivey will line up at new spots in 2017.
“He’ll be corner full-time,” McElwain said of Dawson, who started at nickel in 2016. “Obviously his ability to play nickel is only something that is not only going to help us but help him in the future as it did Brian Poole. I think his ability to be able to show all that stuff is going to do nothing more than strengthen our depth, help the Gators get better and help him personally.”
“Tez will go out to left (tackle). We need to develop (the tackle position) between him, (Jawaan Taylor) and Fred (Johnson). We need to get Stone (Forsythe) involved as he’s been a freshman now. He’s ready to roll. … There will be some really good competition as we get rolling there.”
In addition to Dawson and Ivey, McElwain said position changes will happen for three more players.
“Richerd Desir-Jones is moving from O-line over to D-line,” McElwain said. “We’re going to bring (walk-on) Tanner Rowell from D-line over to O-line as an inside position, teach him both center and guard. Cam Knight is going to go from tight end over to linebacker for the spring to take a look at that.”
The Gators also revealed jersey numbers Thursday for their five early enrollees: defensive tackle Kyree Campbell (55), tight end Kemore Gamble (88), linebacker James Houston (41), offensive tackle Kadeem Telfort (76) and athlete Kadarius Toney (17), who will play quarterback this spring. There are no number changes for the returning players. Jersey numbers 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 haven’t been assigned. No. 1 was not worn by a Florida player in 2016 for the first time since 1984.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2017 18:16:05 GMT -5
2.23.2017
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – If it seems like just a couple of weeks ago the Gators doused head coach Jim McElwain with Gatorade after their 30-3 thumping of Iowa in the Outback Bowl, you're not that far off.
It was 53 days ago.
Still, there McElwain was on Thursday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium holding a press conference to preview the start of spring camp, which opens Tuesday. Football is back, at least for the next month.
This will be McElwain's third spring camp at Florida and the quarterback position remains the headliner, which we all knew before he stepped to the podium Thursday. That is going to be the case every couple of years at most schools, but at Florida in recent years, the search for a steady quarterback has been the headliner almost every year.
While we'll certainly touch more on the quarterback battle between redshirt freshmen Feleipe Franks and Kyle Trask the next few weeks, here are five immediate takeaways from McElwain's press conference on Thursday:
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1 – Dawson tops list of players changing positions
McElwain said "that's huge for us" when asked about the return of senior defensive backs Duke Dawson and Marcell Harris. Both players contemplated declaring for the NFL draft but opted to return to school for more seasoning on the advice of NFL evaluators. Dawson has played primarily nickel in his career but McElwain said Thursday the plan is to move Dawson to cornerback. The Gators lost both starting corners – Teez Tabor and Quincy Wilson – to the draft. Dawson isn't the only player who will be in a new position this spring. Junior Martez Ivey is moving from left guard out to left tackle with the departure of David Sharpe, Richerd Desir-Jones is moving from the offensive line to defensive line, Tanner Rowell from defensive line to offensive line, and tight end Camrin Knight from tight end to linebacker. For Desir-Jones and Knight, a pair of players who have had trouble cracking the regular rotation, the position changes offer a fresh start.
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2 – Massey returns, several others out
The injury report revealed no major surprises. Seven Gators will miss spring practice due to injury: offensive lineman Antonio Riles (ACL), quarterback Luke Del Rio (shoulder), defensive back Jeawon Taylor (shoulder), linebacker David Reese (wrist), defensive end Jordan Sherit (knee), receiver Freddie Swain (shoulder) and defensive back Quincy Lenton (foot). Meanwhile, three other players – receiver Dre Massey, early enrollee linebacker James Houston and defensive back C.J. McWilliams – are listed as non-contact during spring. Massey's return provides the Gators with a valuable offensive weapon they hoped to use last season. However, Massey suffered a season-ending knee injury on the opening kickoff in the first game. "That was a piece of the offense that we can put back now,'' McElwain said. "We'll see what he can handle."
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3 – Urgency level on high
No offense to New Mexico State or UMass – Florida's opponent in the first game the past two seasons – but they are no Michigan. The Gators open the 2017 season in the AdvoCare Classic at AT&T Stadium against the Wolverines. Like McElwain, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh enters his third season in Ann Arbor. The two programs met at the end of the 2015 season in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl. Michigan won 41-7 to leave a sour taste in the Gators' mouth all offseason. The UF-Michigan game will be on national TV and a marquee matchup the first weekend of the college football season. McElwain said the matchup can keep the Gators focused and on high alert knowing the challenge they face in the first game. "That sense of urgency about, 'no, it isn't a warmup game and then we'll get into the SEC season.' You need to be ready to go,'' he said.
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4 – Add Toney to QB mix
True freshman Kadarius Toney thrilled fans of Blount (Ala.) High with his dazzling combination as a passer and runner as the team's starting quarterback the past two seasons. While Toney is listed as an "athlete" on the roster, McElwain said to expect Toney to get a lot of snaps at quarterback this spring behind Franks and Trask. Toney ran a spread offense in high school and has a different style than is typical of quarterbacks McElwain has used in his pro-style offense at Florida, Colorado State and Alabama. Still, the Gators want to get a good look at Toney to see what he offers at the position. He definitely provides a different skill-set than Franks and Trask. While both are mobile and have good athleticism, they fit the mold of your traditional drop-back passer more than Toney.
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5 – Receivers a "real group of strength"
The Gators loaded up on receivers in the 2016 signing class and three of those true freshmen – Tyrie Cleveland, Josh Hammond and Freddie Swain – each had at least 118 yards receiving (led by Cleveland's 14 receptions for 298 yards and two touchdowns) in their first season. They joined a group of receivers that returns upperclassmen Antonio Callaway and Brandon Powell, plus a solid tight end group that features C'yontai Lewis, DeAndre Goolsby and Moral Stephens. Add freshman early enrollee tight end Kemore Gamble to the group, plus wideouts Rick Wells, Kalif Jackson and Massey, and McElwain considers the receivers corps a "real group of strength." In addition, 2017 signees James Robinson and Daquon Green are potential playmakers come fall.
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BONUS NUMBERS
Here are the jersey numbers of the five early enrollees in camp this spring: 88—Gamble; 41—Houston; 17—Toney; 55—DT Kyree Campbell; 76—OL Kadeem Telfort.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2017 9:39:55 GMT -5
2.24.2017
Of the spring moves yesterday, I think the move of Richerd Desir-Jones will be interesting to watch develop. Desir-Jones came out of St. Thomas Aquinas where he was a 2-way player at OG and DT. He participated in the US Army combine, but didn't earn an invite to the US Army game. He was a wrestler on St. Thomas Aquinas state champion team. He came to UF with his teammate, 4 star RB Jordan Scarlett.
Desir-Jones had a mixed bag in recruiting. Rivals had him as a 3 star OG, but Scout and 247 Sports had him as a 3 star DT. He kept his weight down to 285 when he wrestled, but he played football at 295. His best offers came from Indiana and South Florida so he wasn't highly recruited. He committed to FIU in July, 2015 and he only took 3 visits, FIU/USF/UF. He visited UF on 1/30/15, the final weekend of 15 recruiting season, without an offer in hand. However, OL coach Mike Summers liked the kid enough to offer at OG/C at a time when UF was depth starved on the OL. Said Desir Jones, "I wrestle and play DT, so I have aggression." That is what attracted Mike Summers to make the offer.
Fast forward to yesterday. Mac moved Desir-Jones from OG to DT and cited that he had played both OG and DT in high school. UF has him listed as a RSO at 6'4"/292. My guess is, if this move works out, that he'll play DT in the 295-300 range. His picture in uniform at floridagators.com shows his build looking more like a DT than an OG so this could turn out to be a very smart move for the player and the team. It could also be his last chance to shine at UF.
What do I find so interesting with this move? I like to root for the underdog. I remember that last recruiting weekend in 2015. Richerd Desir-Jones was so appreciative of his opportunity to come to UF. Unlike a lot of kids, his comments were all about thanking God, the people that helped him get the opportunity to attend UF, and his mother who had impressed on him an education first attitude. He may turn out to be nothing more than an extra body for DT depth, but it will be easy to root for him to succeed.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2017 10:53:17 GMT -5
2.26.2017
Spring practice starts on Tuesday
Martez Ivey will be an upgrade at LT even though David Sharpe is moving on to the NFL. Ivey played LG as a true freshman so Sharpe could finish his UF career at LT, but he came to UF as the #1 rated LT in the nation. He's smaller, but quicker and has better footwork than Sharpe.
My estimation is our run blocking will be much improved with a now experienced and deep OL. TJ McCoy is a sparkplug at C. He's short so he has excellent center of gravity as he fires off the ball:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The only position on the field that has received more scrutiny for Florida the last couple years aside from quarterback is the group protecting the passer.
Both have struggled and received ample share of the blame for the Gators’ lackluster offensive production through coach Jim McElwain’s first two seasons.
McElwain addressed this directly when he declared after the Outback Bowl win over Iowa that the Gators would become a lot more physical up front in 2017. That process began with the offseason strength and conditioning program and now enters the next phase as Florida opens spring practice Tuesday. The Gators will use these next six weeks to take steps toward that goal while beginning to identify their best arrangement along that offensive line.
“There will be some really good competition as we get rolling there,” McElwain said.
One big decision already has been made in that regard as he confirmed this week that junior Martez Ivey will move from left guard to left tackle, as expected, following the departure of veteran tackle David Sharpe.
That creates an open competition for the job at left guard. Redshirt junior Kavaris Harkless got some experience there this past season, including making his first career start in the SEC championship game. And speaking Thursday, McElwain identified redshirt sophomore Nick Buchanan as another player he’d like to see step up there.
“I think (he’s) ready to step in and really be productive,” he said.
Moving down the line, Florida lost a veteran center when Cam Dillard announced this offseason he would transfer out of the program, but the Gators are set there with redshirt sophomore T.J. McCoy. He emerged down the stretch in 2016 with Dillard injured and was one of the bright spots along the line.
Right guard, meanwhile, is another spot to watch. Tyler Jordan and Fred Johnson, who are both heading into their junior season, split the starts there with Jordan limited by a couple of injuries throughout the fall and Johnson getting passed on the depth chart at right tackle early in the season.
McElwain has challenged Jordan in particular to take his performance to another level in 2017.
“I think the big thing, Tyler Jordan needs to really take another step forward in both his conditioning and his overall understanding on the play. He’s had two years of it now so we need some big steps and improvements there,” he said.
Bookending the line, the Gators return sophomore right tackle Jawaan Taylor after his breakout freshman season. And, again, they have to decide what role best fits Johnson.
As for some of the younger players who McElwain will be keeping an eye on this spring, he said he wants to see redshirt freshman Brett Heggie more involved at both center and guard and also expects more out of fellow redshirt freshman Stone Forsythe at tackle.
Another intriguing player to keep an eye on is 6-foot-6, 318-pound true freshman Kadeem Telfort, who will go through spring practice as an early enrollee. Telfort has stated he enrolled early to give himself a chance to win a starting job in his first year, but if the Gators keep him at tackle, as McElwain indicated they will, he would appear to be blocked by Ivey and Taylor. Unless Taylor is moved inside at some point, though McElwain gave no indication of that being considered.
“We’re going to start him out at tackle because we need to develop even more depth at that point. And he’s a guy who’s obviously very talented,” McElwain said of Telfort. “… I’ll be interested to see. I think he’s a guy that loves to compete and I can see that in the drills that we do this offseason. It’ll be fun to see him get in there and battle.”
The other notable newcomer to the group, of course, is new offensive line coach Brad Davis. He joins the Gators from North Texas to replace Mike Summers, who left for a job at Louisville.
Davis has a captivating personality and looks to be an effective motivator, at least judging by his impressive introductory news conference. He’ll be tasked with helping the linemen create that more aggressive mentality McElwain is looking for next season, and it starts this coming week.
“The analogy I’ve used with the guys, it’s pointless to have a Lamborghini with a bad transmission,” Davis said. “It’s worthless. So we have a bunch of tough, physical, athletic football players that really haven’t maximized their football potential. My job and why I’m here is to get the best out of them every day.”
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2017 18:42:34 GMT -5
2.26.2017
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida can’t truly begin piecing together the puzzle of its secondary until summer, when the influx of six promising signees arrive and start working out with the team.
The Gators will be rather thin in the back of the defense this spring between the notable departures of cornerbacks Jalen Tabor, Quincy Wilson and safety Marcus Maye, and the injuries that will sideline sophomore Jeawon Taylor and redshirt freshman Quincy Lenton. Also, Florida will limit redshirt freshman C.J. McWilliams to non-contact drills.
That leaves a skeleton crew of fully functional defensive backs for spring practice, which opens Tuesday and concludes April 7 with the annual Orange & Blue game.
So coach Jim McElwain says the Gators will get creative.
“Obviously missing Jeawon and Quincy hurts. And yet it’s an opportunity for some other guys to get a lot of reps,” he said. “Those guys are going to have to have great summers because we’re going to count on them as well in that rotation in the back end.”
McElwain said Florida will move sophomore Chauncey Gardner around the secondary, getting him some work at cornerback after he closed his freshman campaign as a starter at safety. He was the MVP of the Outback Bowl with 2 interceptions and a touchdown against Iowa and projects as a key cog wherever he ends up playing next fall.
Overall, McElwain will look to rotate guys between corner, safety and nickel to build depth.
Fortunately for the Gators, they aren’t totally starting from scratch back there, though.
The decision has been made that senior Duke Dawson will shift from nickel to a full-time cornerback role. He chose to return for his final season to boost his NFL draft stock, and proving himself as a primary corner will help with that.
It also will help the Gators to have a trusted veteran to plug one of those key voids. Dawson finished with 3.5 tackles for loss, an interception return for a touchdown, a forced fumble and 7 pass breakups last fall.
“He’ll be corner full-time. Obviously his ability to play nickel is only something that is not only going to help us but help him in the future as it did Brian Poole,” McElwain said. “I think his ability to be able to show playing all that stuff is going to do nothing more than strengthen our depth, help the Gators get better and help him personally.”
Fifth-year seniors Marcell Harris and Nick Washington return at safety, meanwhile, and McElwain said he will be looking at Harris in particular as another leader for that group of young defensive backs.
Harris had a breakout junior season while leading Florida with 73 tackles to go with 2 interceptions, a forced fumble and 4 tackles for loss. He played his best football during the second half of the season and should be a steady playmaker for the Gators’ retooled defense in 2017.
In the meanwhile, McElwain is hoping his few veterans back there can make an impact on the younger players this spring and on the next wave of talent that arrives this summer when cornerbacks Marco Wilson and C.J. Henderson, safety Donovan Stiner and versatile defensive backs Brad Stewart, Shawn Davis and Brian Edwards join the mix.
“I think Duke and Marcell both, man, that’s huge for us. As it was a year ago kind of with Marcus, you know,” McElwain said. “It has as much to do with their investment and showing the young guys this is how we go about it here and this is part of you being part of this legacy. What is their legacy going to be handed down to these young guys? And I think that’s really good.”
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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2017 18:34:00 GMT -5
2.27.2017 We'll know a lot more about our two RSFR QBs when spring ball is over. I expect one to come out a clear leader. This from the Gainesville Sun: www.gatorsports.com/article/20170227/articles/170229959?p=1&tc=pgFeleipe Franks is 6'6"/219 and Kyle Trask is 6'4"/238. Franks has been likened by some to Rex Grossman as he is a confident gunslinger. Trask has been likened to Danny Wuerffel in that he is the most accurate passer on the team and he picks everything up correctly the first time. My preference for 2017 is for one of the two redshirt frosh QBs to separate from the pack that includes Luke Del Rio returning in the summer. Del Rio lacks mobility and is short, around 6'0" to 6'1" depending on who you want to believe. He is the most knowledgeable of the group, but he lacks the physicality and talent to take UF to the top.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2017 9:26:26 GMT -5
Good article on Duke Dawson from Gator Country:
Written by Nick de la Torre, February 28, 2017
Duke Dawson takes a look around the locker room just minutes before his fourth and final spring football camp with the Florida Gators. He’s taking it all in because a few short months ago he didn’t think he’d be here.
Dawson was the first player to commit to the Gators in 2014 and he enrolled early that spring semester. He came in with Jalen Tabor and Quincy Wilson soon followed. The three of them helped continue the “DBU” tradition at Florida and, if they were all being honest, would say they all expected to play three years at UF before heading for the NFL. Tabor and Wilson made that move after the season.
“Coming in, I knew Teez was a top recruit, Quincy was a top recruit, we all were top recruits but when you come in with guys like that you have to compete everyday. There’s no day that you can really take off,” Dawson told Gator Country in an exclusive interview. “With us three, we always pushed each other harder to do this or do that. We see differences in each other, things that we needed to work on with each other. It was just that brotherhood that we had and that really played a huge part in what we had going on here.”
Making a decision to leave school early can’t be based on what your teammates and friends do. It’s a personal decision that a player must make with their family and for themselves. With that being said, Dawson came into his junior season knowing that it was a strong possibility for him.
Dawson burst onto the scene in his first career game with a 36-yard interception return for a touchdown. He played in 11 games as a freshman during the 2014 season but the coaching staff bounced him back and forth between corner, nickel and safety. He ultimately settled in at safety but when Will Muschamp was fired, Jim McElwain and his coaching staff didn’t view Dawson as a safety. He returned to nickelback but was stuck behind Brian Poole. Dawson played in every game but in a limited role. When Poole graduated he knew the 2016 season would be his opportunity to prove himself.
That started in the spring game last year. Dawson intercepted Feleipe Franks and returned it for a touchdown. He stepped into the starting role at nickel and led the team with seven passes broken up. He intercepted one pass that he returned for a touchdown. All-in-all it was Dawson’s most productive season in Orange and Blue.
“The only bad part of the season I had was against Tennessee, everything else was fine for me,” he said of his junior season. “I mean everyone is going to have those games. I didn’t let that hinder me or put me down in a hole. I just pushed forward and kept a level head.”
As the season came to an end Dawson submitted paperwork to the NFL to see where he would be projected in the upcoming NFL Draft. He played in the Outback Bowl and then sat down with his family and the coaching staff. Dawson was given a mid-round grade, which he could improve on with a good senior season. However, Dawson also watched Poole earn a starting role with the Atlanta Falcons and go on to start in the Super Bowl as an undrafted free agent.
“It came back good but not as good as I wanted it to be and I felt like I was better than what I was predicted,” Dawson told Gator Country about his draft grade. It was a hard decision, one he needed to rely on those closest to him to make.
“It came back good but not as good as I wanted it to be and I felt like I was better than what I was predicted so this offseason, I’m going to train hard and I know there’s going to be good things ahead of me,” Dawson said. “I really didn’t look at it any other way. I know that I can improve a lot on my game as well and I feel like that’s something that I’m really going to do.”
His decision to come back to Florida wasn’t just about his draft grade. Coming back to Florida will open the opportunity for Dawson to become a leader and, finally, the face of the Gators’ defense. He’s one of a handful of seniors that will return to the team in 2017 and the most proven of the bunch. He’ll also get the opportunity to continue showcasing his versatility, something that will help make him valuable to NFL teams in 2018.
“The only thing I really need to put on tape is outside,” Dawson said of his desire to showcase more of what he can do. “(NFL teams) have seen that I can play inside and safety. That’s something that is already sealed. That’s something that I want to do outside. I need to work this offseason to perfect my craft on being that elite corner.” Dawson will get that opportunity right away. McElwain plans to utilize Dawson’s experience and skillset outside right away as the Gators get spring camp underway.
“He’ll be corner full-time,” McElwain said of Dawson. “Obviously his ability to play nickel is only something that is not only going to help us but help him in the future as it did Brian Poole. I think his ability to be able to show all that stuff is going to do nothing more than strengthen our depth, help the Gators get better and help him personally.”
Dawson is a quiet person. He’s not a vocal leader but he leads by example and he tries to take younger players under his wing privately. Dawson recalled talking with Chauncey Gardner. He recognized the freshman’s ability early on. He also, as everyone has, heard Gardner, who is one of the more outspoken players on the team. He implored Gardner to listen to the older players, listen to his coaches and take to heart what they’re saying to him.
“I sat Chauncey down and we talked and I just told him the only thing you have to do is listen,” Dawson told Gator Country. “If you listen, it will take you a long way and do less talking and that’s what he did and you see him shine in the bowl game.”
Taking that kind of mentorship role is something Dawson takes pride in. he genuinely wants the younger players to succeed and he wants to be a part of their success. He also has goals for his senior year. Dawson wrote them out on a piece of paper that hangs on the wall in his room. It’s a daily visual reminder of what he wants to accomplish and the magnitude of the goals ensures that he gives his all in every aspect of training and school.
“First off, I want to get my education,” he said. “Then I want to be a first team All-American and first rounder. Those are my personal goals. I want to lead people the right way and I want to show people the ropes.”
Dawson spent his first three seasons in the shadow of players like Tabor, Wilson, Poole, Marcus Maye, Keanu Neal and Vernon Hargreaves. This season, his final in Gainesville, won’t be the same. He’s the face of a defense that has been one of the best in the country for the better part of the decade and he’s ready to leave his mark on the program.
“A lot of people don’t really look at it and take advantage of the opportunities they have,” he said. “I have laid down in bed and thought, dang man, the Michigan game is in less that four months. It’s really coming fast right now. I just want to cherish every moment and enjoy my senior season.”
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2017 9:42:53 GMT -5
2.28.2017
Bold headline by Zach A. at SEC Country - hope he is right - UF has the track team to fulfill Schwartz's 2 sports needs:
WR Anthony Schwartz dazzles at The Opening Regional, wants to be 2-sport athlete at Florida Zach Abolverdi SEC Country Staff
As Jim McElwain tries to rebuild Florida football into a championship program, one of his mottos is “recruit daily or die.” Join us here on SEC Country for a daily recap of the latest UF recruiting news, tales from the trail and perspective on what it all means for the Gators.
Blazing speed
Anthony Schwartz was a standout performer Sunday at the Miami regional for “The Opening,” an annual combine for the nation’s top recruits at Nike world headquarters in Oregon.
The 4-star wide receiver from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., earned an invitation the big event after winning the fastest man competition and producing the highlight of the day during 1-on-1 drills.
“It feels great that they recognized me as one of the top football players down here,” Schwartz told SEC Country. “I just wanted to come out, run a fast 40 and do good in 1-on-1’s. South Florida has the best football, so to know that I’m one of the best is just an amazing feeling.”
Despite having a track meet the day before, Schwartz posted a time of 4.34 seconds in the 40-yard dash Sunday. He also ran the 400 meters Saturday in 51.77 seconds, which was a personal record.
“That’s expected,” Schwartz said of his weekend results. “This 4.34 is the best laser time I’ve had and that’s after a track meet, too. So hopefully at The Opening I can get in the 4.2 range.”
The 2017 track season began for Schwartz this month. In his first meet of the season Feb. 18, he ran the 100 meters in 10.54 seconds with the wind at -2.1. His best time in the 100 is 10.26.
“God blessed me with speed,” Schwartz said. “When I started doing track in high school, I just got faster and dropped my times. I use speed to my advantage and that’s a big part of my game.”
Two-sport athlete
The 6-foot, 172-pound prospect currently has 18 offers with Florida and Miami leading the pack.
Schwartz wants to play football and run track in college, and UF is one of the schools that will allow him to do both. He mentioned Miami, Notre Dame and Virginia as the others.
“I think Florida has a great track program,” Schwartz said. “They won outdoor nationals last year and all the great athletes come out of Florida. They have great coaching and it’s just a tradition.”
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2017 14:57:07 GMT -5
Gator Feleipe Franks’ former coach confident QB will win over UF fans
UF quarterback Feleipe Franks is the favorite to win the Gators' starting job despite a bumpy 2016 spring game performance. (AP File)
Edgar ThompsonContact Reporter Orlando Sentinel
GAINESVILLE — Scott Klees is quick to admit he is biased about his former quarterback, Feleipe Franks.
Klees knows some Florida Gators’ fans probably are, too, after Franks’ 2016 spring game.
Klees, who coached Franks for four seasons at Wakulla High School in Crawfordville, believes the 19-year-old will bring playmaking and stability to the quarterback position at UF.
Fans know only what they saw during last April’s Orange and Blue Debut. Franks threw three interceptions on his first four pass attempts during one of the more cringe-worthy spring game performances in recent memory.
“You can’t judge him from that,” Klees said. “As with any young quarterback, there’s going to be a learning curve. The Gator fans are going to be happy. “When the finished product is done, he’s a special kid and special athlete.”
Klees bases his opinion against a much, much larger body of work than one game. Try more than 35 years.
Klees, 47, moved to the Florida Panhandle in 1980 and has coached in the area for 22 years, including the past 11 at Wakulla High, located 25 miles south of Tallahassee.
Kless said only one player in all his time has held a candle to Franks: Tallahassee Leon legend Tony Robinson, who went on to star at Tennessee in the mid-1980s. Robinson threw 75 touchdowns during three high school seasons and was a Heisman Trophy candidate prior to a knee injury in 1985 against Alabama.
“There’s never been a quarterback that has come out of here with his potential and his ability,” Klees said of Franks. “There’s no one that has even come close to him.”
The 6-foot-6 Franks threw 87 touchdowns and just 17 interceptions, kicked field goals and punted at Wakulla. He boomed a 47-yard field goal and 68-yard punt as a senior, while he produced plenty of wow moments as a passer.
The key at UF will be whether Franks can harness his arm strength and make sound decisions. Since his spring game fail, Franks has trended in the right direction.
“When you come in at first, you want to just make big plays all the time,” former UF receiver Ahmad Fulwood said late last season. “And when he realized every throw doesn’t have to be an 80-yard bomb and he started making the right reads and started making less mistakes, that was when you could see he was really improving as a quarterback.”
UF coach Jim McElwain said the quarterback race is too close to call between Franks and fellow redshirt freshman Kyle Trask.
“They're real close,” McElwain said. “There's probably about a half-inch difference between them, I think.”
Yet Franks is the presumed front-runner entering spring practices, given he served as Austin Appleby’s back-up the final two months of last season and has much more playing experience than Trask.
While the 6-foot-4, 228-pound Trask appeared to be the best natural thrower among UF’s four QBs in 2016, the Houston native played for a spread team in high school and served as his team’s back-up.
From now until the April 7 spring, McElwain will look for a quarterback to assume ownership of the position.
“The biggest piece we're looking for first and foremost is somebody to step up and say, 'You know what, I'm going to take this and I'm going to lead this team and help the parts around me play better,’” McElwain said. “Now with that, it can't be forced - it's got to be natural.”
McElwain said each drill and throw during the coming weeks will be evaluated and graded.
“Every moment means something, take advantage of it,” McElwain said.
Franks squandered his chance during last year’s spring game. Klees said Franks is too talented not to seize his opportunity this time.
“He can make throws only four or five people in the country can,” Klees said. ”There’s not a throw or play he cannot make.”
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2017 17:53:13 GMT -5
2.28.2017
From SEC Country - Feleipe Franks opened as the 1st team QB:
Feleipe Franks has opened as the first-team quarterback for Florida during the Gators’ spring practice.
As witnessed by SEC Country’s Ryan Young and Zach Abolverdi, Franks lined up at the first-team signal-caller during the workout. It’s a notable development for the Gators, who went 9-4 with an SEC East title this past season. Franks is a 6-foot-6, 219-pound pro-style quarterback from Crawfordville, Fla., who was a 4-star prospect and the nation’s No. 5 pro-style quarterback for the Class of 2016. He redshirted last season.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2017 19:49:42 GMT -5
2.28.2017
First day practice report from floridagators.com - next practice on Thursday and then off next week for spring break:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The first day of the spring battle between quarterbacks Feleipe Franks and Kyle Trask is in the books. True freshman Kadarius Toney took some reps, too.
Did Florida head coach Jim McElwain see enough to anoint one of them as the future? No, that likely will not happen until Thursday. OK, not really. Kidding aside, McElwain's most decisive remark after practice was their ability to stretch the field in the passing game.
"Those guys aren't afraid to put the ball down the field,'' he said. "There's no doubt about it. We've got a couple of guys that can chase it down. I think we've got a chance to really push the ball down the field."
Redshirt freshmen who joined the program in January 2016, both Franks and Trask showed off their strong arms as Florida opened its third spring camp under McElwain. Franks connected with receiver Tyrie Cleveland for a long pass early in practice.
McElwain approved, but pointed out the safety depth on the play wasn't ideal, which is life as a coach when you are competing against your own defense.
Overall, McElwain praised the way the young quarterback trio performed as the leaders of the offense with the only quarterback on the roster to play in a game, Luke Del Rio, out this spring following shoulder surgery.
"All three quarterbacks took a bunch of reps. Threw it to our guys most of the time. Occasionally threw it to the other guys,'' McElwain said. "Overall, those guys handled what we had in. We were actually able to be a little ahead in install, so that was a good thing.
"We were able to show a bunch of different formational things and yet run the base attack. That shows me they've had a really good offseason and really an understanding coming from last fall into spring."
Franks and Trask watched from the sideline last season as Del Rio (six starts) and departed senior Austin Appleby (seven starts) directed the offense.
Now it's their turn.
Sophomore receiver Josh Hammond, a 2016 early enrollee who arrived at UF the same time as Franks and Trask, sees progress in their development.
"It's going to be a great competition,'' Hammond said. "They have both grown a lot since they got here. From high school to college is a big difference. They've had some time to get used to it and I think that really helped them grow."
Franks arrived as the more celebrated recruit, but Trask, despite serving as the backup in high school, had a better performance in last year's Orange & Blue Debut in limited playing time.
Both have made significant strides since then as they adjusted college.
"I knew they were talented quarterbacks when we first got here,'' Hammond said. "As practice started, you could tell they just needed to grow a lot and learn. I think that's what they've done over the past year."
The Florida offense has yet to fully bloom in McElwain's two seasons, which is a key emphasis heading into next season. The primary reason is inconsistency at quarterback. The Gators have used four starters in McElwain's first two seasons.
The Gators are without a large chunk of its formidable defense from his first two years, with eight starters off last year's team no longer on the roster.
However, Franks and Trask's potential, plus a talented receiving corps that McElwain considers a strength, has fans thinking this could be the year the offense outshines the defense.
Running back Jordan Scarlett is ready to play his part.
"We need to be a better offense in general,'' Scarlett said. "I honestly think our defense won't miss a beat with those guys leaving because half of them were out towards the end of the season and we did fine."
After day one, McElwain seemed to be in a good mood. That's a good sign.
As for any critical analysis, McElwain said both Franks and Trask still tend to lock in on their first options too much rather progress through their reads. That is not uncommon for young quarterbacks yet to play in a game.
"We'll keep working on it,'' McElwain said. "I thought we did some good stuff with the [run-pass-option] stuff with them today in the pass game."
The battle continues.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2017 13:34:34 GMT -5
3.1.2017
Recruiting this kid is a complete waste of time. I'd fill the slots available at RB without waiting a single second on Cook:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider recruits the way Wayne Gretzky played hockey. You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take. When Seider was hired by the Gators last month, his first phone call was to 5-star running back James Cook from Miami. “He hit me up right away,” Cook told SEC Country. “He was like, ‘I want you at Florida.’ He tells me I’m his guy and that I can build my own legacy in The Swamp. “We talk every day and I’ve know him for a pretty long time. He coached some great backs at West Virginia and he has a track record with that.” Seider is not deterred by the fact that Cook is committed to Florida State and his older brother, Dalvin Cook, just finished a record-setting college career with the Seminoles. Moreover, Cook infamously flipped from Florida to FSU on New Year’s Eve in 2013 after trolling the Gators throughout the month of December and claiming his commitment was solid. “To be honest, I don’t know what happened with him and Florida,” Cook’s younger brother said. “I’ve never asked him about it. It has no impact on me.” However, Cook has picked his brother’s brain about the overall recruiting process and how to go about it the right way. Dalvin made three verbal commitments during his recruitment. “I learned from what he went through, so it has helped me with my recruiting process,” Cook said. “He just tells me to stay focused, take every visit and listen to what every coach has to say. He’s not telling me not to go to Florida or to go to Florida State. He says do whatever fits me.” Cook told SEC Country he’s “80 percent” committed to the Seminoles and still has interest in Florida, Georgia and Miami. He plans to visit UF in the future and will eventually make a final decision in his recruitment. “I just need to make my mind up on whatever I decide,” Cook said. In his introducy press conference at Florida, Seider explained his philosophy on recruiting and the aggressiveness he’s shown with prospects such as Cook. “Like dating a woman, sometimes it doesn’t work the first time. It’s the same thing in recruiting,” Seider said. “We talk about all the time in recruiting, there are two things they can tell you — yes or no. So don’t be afraid to let a kid tell you no. But you gotta get in and dance with that kid to find out if you have a chance. I believe in that. I believe in being aggressive in everything that we do. “It’s a win mentality. I look at recruiting the same way I look at coaching. I want to win. That’s a game to me. I hate losing. I’m going to try my best to do whatever I can to win. That means being relentless and establishing a relationship not only with a player but that family and the people who impact that kid’s life. And at the end of the day, let’s make him a Gator.”
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2017 13:51:13 GMT -5
Hey Darrell, Kemore Gamble is listed by UF at 6'3"/241. It doesn't look like he's a tweener at all.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2017 18:05:25 GMT -5
3.1.2017
By Robbie Andreu Gainesville Sun Staff writer Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Had his position coach leaned on him to become a leader a year ago, Martez Ivey likely would have resisted.
He wasn’t ready. He was still feeling his way at a new position (offensive guard) and hadn’t been around long enough at Florida to feel comfortable telling his peers, some older than him, what to do.
Things are much different now. The battle-tested true junior from Apopka has a new offensive line coach (Brad Davis), is back in his comfort zone (left tackle) and is ready to accept the challenge of becoming the offensive line leader.
“It’s definitely a role I want to take on because I’ve been here for two years and have got experience,” Ivey said after UF’s first spring practice Tuesday. “Everybody looks at me to be a leader. When we’ve got a problem, they come to me for, like, being their voice and speaking up. I know they want hard for me to be a leader.”
Davis made it clear from the start that he expects Ivey to lead. Almost as soon as he arrived in Gainesville three weeks ago, he sought out the former five-star recruit. The two have had numerous meetings since, and Davis’ message to Ivey has been received -- it’s time for him to take command on the offensive line.
“I’ve really been investing a lot of time in Martez. I think he has limitless potential,” Davis said. “I don’t ask my players to lead by example; there’s no such thing. I ask my guys to set the example and hold other guys accountable to the standard.
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Now THIS here...is a member
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Post by canefan on Mar 1, 2017 20:05:47 GMT -5
Hey Darrell, Kemore Gamble is listed by UF at 6'3"/241. It doesn't look like he's a tweener at all. Cool. Keep feeding him. As I said before I hope he has a wonderful career up there.
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