Mike Gillislee remembers what it was like in practice during his freshman season.
The Gators’ running back would line up in the backfield at Sanders Practice Field and try to pick up blitzes from former All-American linebacker Brandon Spikes, now with the New England Patriots.
“It ain’t go too good,” Gillislee said.
While the 5-foot-11, 201-pound senior running back has shown flashes of brilliance, as well as the potential to be the downhill style of runner the Gators want, his troubles in learning pass protection followed him into game action his first three years and limited his snaps in games.
As a junior last season, Gillislee was Florida’s third-leading rusher, but he had just 56 carries compared to Chris Rainey’s 171 and Jeff Demps’ 98. He was used predominantly in rushing downs because he was a liability in pass protection.
The hardest part, he said, was having to pick up pass-rushers and then releasing into a route.
While picking up linebackers on the blitz came easier to Gillislee, he also admitted to having trouble reading defenses before the snap and at the snap when the pass-rush was coming from other positions, like safeties and cornerbacks.
What proved even more troublesome for Gillislee, who said he never had to stay back in pass protection at Deland High, was having to switch assignments when an offensive lineman picked up his man on the blitz.
But now, as the running back atop the Gators’ spring depth chart, Gillislee said improving his pass-protection skills is his main focus heading into next season, and the additional reps early this spring have already paid dividends.
“I had a little bit of trouble (in the past), but I’m damn good at it now,” Gillislee said.
Running back by committee?: Coach Will Muschamp didn’t rule out the possibility of the Gators using a backfield by committee next season.
With Gillislee and Mack Brown providing a more downhill style of running, fullback Hunter Joyer being able to run out of a one-back set, Trey Burton serving as an all-purpose back and the additions of Omarius Hines and Chris Johnson to the backfield, Muschamp likes the options the offense has.
“We’ll see how everything goes,” Muschamp said. “We’ve got some guys with different skill sets to see where they match with what we’re doing offensively.”
Morrison impressing early: With Jelani Jenkins and Jon Bostic cemented in the middle of Florida’s defense, questions remain about who will join them at strongside linebacker with Lerentee McCray sidelined this spring with a shoulder injury.
Junior Darrin Kitchens and sophomore Graham Stewart are listed on the two-deep depth chart, but Bostic has been impressed by two other young players: sophomore Michael Taylor and freshman Antonio Morrison.
Taylor played in 12 games last season and recorded 36 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss. He also forced a fumble and intercepted a pass. Morrison, meanwhile, enrolled early in January as the No. 10 linebacker in the 2012 recruiting class, according to Rivals.com, and made a handful of explosive plays during the weekend’s open practices.
“Antonio is proving that he’s got the maturity to learn this defense and help contribute next year,” Bostic said.
Tebow’s next destination: Four-time NFL MVP and former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning was introduced Tuesday as the new Denver Broncos quarterback, signing a 5-year deal worth a reported $96 million.
Vice president of football operations John Elway said it was “possible” the Broncos would attempt to trade former UF quarterback Tim Tebow.
Multiple reports have listed the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers and New York Jets as potential suitors.
Although the Jaguars reportedly appear to be the frontrunner, general manager Gene Smith is known to be against the move while new owner Shahid Khan said last month that he “absolutely” would have drafted Tebow if he were Jacksonville’s owner during the 2010 draft.
The Jaguars drafted Blaine Gabbert with the No. 10 overall selection last season and also signed quarterback Chad Henne to a 2-year deal last week.
Contact Tom Green at tgreen@alligator.org.
Freshman linebacker Antonio Morrison goes through drills during a recent spring football practice.
