Last year, Florida’s offensive line was simply trying to tread water.
Significantly depleted by injuries and departures to the NFL, the Gators entered Spring practice in 2015 with just six healthy scholarship linemen, many of whom hadn’t started a collegiate game.
They were able to bolster their depth somewhat by adding a few freshmen to the mix by the start of Fall camp, but the limited numbers and lack of experience held the unit back.
First- and second-year players who were already faced with learning a new offense were thrust into significant roles, adjusting to both the new scheme and the speed of the Southeastern Conference while receiving little to no respite from the bench.
Even with all that taking place, the team was still able to win 10 games and reach Atlanta, a testament to how well the unit was able to sustain success while learning on the fly.
But to reach the next level, the men in the trenches know they can’t be the weak link.
"We’re the defending East champions and we’ve got to hold a standard to that," offensive lineman Antonio Riles said. "We know last year that we were the primary position to blame, so we’ve just got to step up and make that happen."
A year later, the picture is much different. The Gators have a full unit of linemen at their disposal, allowing players to compete and push each other in practice. The coaching staff doesn’t have to alter its practice plan based on only having a handful of healthy players — everything is on the table.
"I tell you what, it beats seven people last year," offensive lineman Cam Dillard said. "Golly. It’s a lot better."
Aside from seniors Trip Thurman and Mason Halter, the rest of the starters and players who were heavily involved in 2015 return this season, all with the experience they gained from being thrown into the fire.
"We’re way ahead of where we were last year at this time," Dillard said. "Over the offseason we’ve been doing individual stuff and just putting in that extra work that we hadn’t last year."
That continuity has helped with their communication, and it’s also allowed them to focus on improving physically instead of spending so much time trying to get up to speed.
Even the UF defenders have taken notice.
"You can look at those guys, they’re big as hell," defensive lineman Caleb Brantley said. "They’re stronger. They’re more in unison. It’s just a better group overall together."
Contact Graham Hack at ghack@alligator.org and follow him on Twitter @graham_hack24.
Cam Dillard jogs off the field after Florida's 41-7 loss to Michigan on Jan. 1, 2016, in the Citrus Bowl.
