With two open practices are in the books for Florida including one with full pads, it’s time to do a quick rundown of what we’ve learned after two days.
Quarterbacks
Coach Will Muschamp has been on the record multiple times saying he doesn’t know who his backup quarterback will be, and that Jeff Driskel is the clear No. 1 signal caller. Both things are very apparent. Of the new arms Florida will be entering the season with, Treon Harris seems to be a major work in progress up until this point, and the much-hyped Will Grier has showcased a delivery that isn’t very repeatable. That causes the ball to look differently coming out of his hands every time. On the upside, Jeff Driskel has looked very consistent in the two open practices, throwing a ball with good zip on it and solid accuracy, his throwing motion seems a bit more compact than it was last season.
Running backs
Matt Jones looks 100% and ready to dish out some powerful runs. Thursday night, safety Keanu Neal put him on his backside with a punishing hit, and Friday, Jones returned the favor by trucking Neal with a dominant shoulder instead of running out of bounds. Sophomore Kelvin Taylor has his trademark shiftiness with efficient cuts and solid acceleration as well.
Tight Ends
Transfer Jake McGee has had some nice catches especially in traffic, his hands are as good as advertised, and McGee had a nice touchdown catch in Thursday’s practice. Freshman DeAndre Goolsby has struggled a bit getting out of breaks while running routes, and will have to be more efficient with that if he hopes to play this season with a depth chart that seems wide open behind McGee at this position. Goolsby also exited the field halfway into practice and did not return. He walked out under his own power while a trainer held his helmet in her hand.
Wide receivers
After a shaky beginning to the day, sophomore Demarcus Robinson rebounded to have a few very nice catches towards the end of practice. Quinton Dunbar has also shown himself to be consistent and reliable with a nice catch Friday evening on the sideline. Sixth-year senior Andre Debose sat out the end of practice with ice on his left knee — the same knee in which he tore his ACL in fall camp last year — but was walking around fine, and the ice appeared to be strictly precautionary.
Offensive line
Besides the general hilarity of watching Trenton Brown performing a pull block, the offensive line continues to mesh as a unit with its starting platoon featuring three players in new positions. Roderick Johnson has showcased some good athleticism in the early going and should definitely be in the mix for the right tackle position if Chaz Green were to be sidelined with another injury.
Defensive Line
Dante Fowler, Jr. is predictably standing out at his BUCK linebacker position with his hand in the ground performing as a defensive end. In a one-on-one pass-protection drill Alex Mcallister showed good elusiveness beating Roderick Johnson to get to the quarterback.
Linebackers
Michael Taylor — recovering from an MCL injury — looks like he’s moving effectively and even looks like he’s gotten a quicker first step as well. Antonio Morrison — who’s typically very guarded with the media — bounces around a ton during practice and is very vocal, perhaps asserting himself as a leader after a tumultuous sophomore year.
Defensive backs
Vernon Hargreaves III is sidelined with a bruised knee sustained Thursday, so other defensive backs had to step up. Freshman Duke Dawson snagged an interception, and Keanu Neal flew around the field. Veteran Marcus Maye took a hard fall on the turf at one point and after being looked at by the trainers returned to practice.
Jeff Driskel attempts a pass during the Orange & Blue Debut on April 12 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
