John Brantley (QB, Graduating)

Returning

 

Jacoby Brissett (QB, SO)

Jeff Driskel (QB, SO)

Tyler Murphy (QB, RSO)

Scout

 

Chandler Carr (QB, JR)

Ryan Parrish (QB, JR)

Christian Provancha (QB, JR)

Ryan McGriff (QB, SO)

Commits

 

Skyler Mornhinweg (QB, E: 19, R: NR, S: 61)

Targets

 

Jacob Guy (Med, QB, E: NR, R: NR, S: NR): 1) UF, 2) FIU, 3) FAU

Notes

 

We have all heard about the upcoming battle between Brissett & Driskel (1a & 1b). I still believe that Jeff Driskel will win the job back in the spring. With that said, I'm very concerned about the possibility of one, if not two, of the backups transferring before or during the season.

 

Four-star recruit Skyler Mornhinweg committed to the Gators this past weekend, as he switched from his soft verbal commit to Penn State. In turn, Jacksonville native Paxton Lynch visited Memphis and made his commitment there. Also, there has been some buzz about the recruitment of Dade City native Jacob Guy. It is believed that they may receive a preferred walk-on spot, similar to Ryan McGriff.

 

 

Chris Rainey (RB, Graduating)

Jeff Demps (RB, Graduating)

Phillip Bellino (Scout, Graduating)

Jason Traylor (Scout, Graduating)

Returning

 

Mike Gillislee (RB, SR)

Mack Brown (RB, RSO)

Trey Burton (RB/FB, JR)

Hunter Joyer (FB, SO)

Jesse Schmitt (FB, JR)

Scout

 

Ben Sams (JR)

Commits

 

Matt Jones (RB, E: #11, R: #15, S: #16)

Targets

 

None

Notes

 

Did you also have a double-take when you read (SR) next to Mike Gillislee's name? The Gators lose their top two running backs from the last few seasons in Rainey & Demps. This should signal the end of the era of small uber-fast running backs in Gainesville. I'm looking forward to seeing if Mack Brown finally sees some legit playing time. Commit Matt Jones may see the field during his freshman campaign if Trey Burton starts to get utilized elsewhere.

 

As for full backs, Hunter Joyer was a breath of Billy Latsko-fresh air during his freshman season. Looking forward to seeing how the new OC uses him.

 

 

Deonte Thompson (WR, Graduating)

Solomon Schoonover (Scout, Graduating)

Returning

 

Frankie Hammond Jr (WR, RSR)

Omarius Hines (WR/TE, RSR)

Andre Debose (WR, RJR)

Stephen Alli (WR, RJR)

Solomon Patton (WR, JR)

Quinton Dunbar (WR, RSO)

Ja'Juan Story (WR, RFR)

Scout

 

Michael McNeely (SO)

Commits

 

LaTroy Pittman (WR, E: #24, R: #33, S: #47)

Raphael Andrades (WR, E: #152, R: #99, S: #159)

Targets

 

Stefon Diggs (High, WR, E: #3, R: #2, S: #2): 1) UF, 2) Aub, 3) OSU

Notes

 

Recently, this group has been a thorn in the side of the Gators, who have a storied history at the position. Remember, since the Spurrier era began, Florida provided the NFL with Willie Jackson, Jack Jackson, Chris Doering, Ike Hilliard, Reidel Anthony, Jacquez Green, Travis McGriff, Travis Taylor, Darrell Jackson, Jabar Gaffney, Reche Caldwell, Taylor Jacobs, Chad Jackson, Kelvin Kight, Dallas Baker, Andre Caldwell, Percy Harvin, Louis Murphy, Riley Cooper, & David Nelson.

 

Bringing in a good class of receivers is crucial, as Deonte Thompson left this year, and Frankie Hammond & Omarius Hines leave after next season. I expect Andre Debose to continue to develop into that game-changer we expected upon arrival. Also, we'll be welcoming last year's highly touted redshirt Ja'Juan Story. If the Gators can secure Diggs and/or Agholor along with the Pittman commit, we should be in great shape.

 

 

William Steinmann (Scout, Graduating)

Gerald Christian (TE, Transferring)

Returning

 

Jordan Reed (TE, RJR)

AC Leonard (TE, SO)

*Clay Burton (TE/DE, RFR)

Scout

 

None

Commits

 

Colin Thompson (TE, E: #2, R: #8, S: #2)

Kent Taylor (TE, E: #4, R: #1, S: #1)

Targets

 

None

Notes

 

According to the recruiting services, it appears that we secured the top TWO tight ends. This should be interesting as both Jordan Reed and AC Leonard have very good talent and have been used extensively in this offense. It's possible that someone redshirts if Hines plays more TE, but given the low numbers and the level of talent incoming, it's doubtful. Gerald Christian was playing well when, out of the blue, he decided to transfer.

 

Clay Burton was injured for most of the year, after switching from defensive end. He should receive a medical redshirt. I doubt he goes back to that position this season as it is loaded with talent with the incoming recruiting class. I'm not really sure how he fits in to our long term plans, unless the coaching staff plans to move him back after next year.

 

 

Dan Wenger (C, Graduating)

James Wilson (G, Graduating)

David Young (G, Graduating)

Returning

 

Sam Robey (C, RSR)

Xavier Nixon (T, SR)

Matt Patchan (T, RJR)

Jon Halapio (G, RJR)

Jonotthan Harrison (G, RJR)

Kyle Koehne (G, RJR)

Nick Alajajian (T, RJR)

Cole Gilliam (G, RJR)

Chaz Green (T, RSO)

Ian Silberman (G, RSO)

Tommy Jordan (G, RFR)

Trip Thurman (G, RFR)

Scout

 

None

Commits

 

DJ Humphries (OT, E: #1, R: #1, S: #3)

Jessamen Dunker (OT, E: #4, R: #16, S: #12)

Targets

 

Notes

 

This was probably the weakest part of the entire team last season. Coach Muschamp said on multiple occasions that the SEC is a line of scrimmage league and Florida simply didn't have the numbers to compete, not to mention all of the injuries added into the mix. Of the three graduating linemen, only Dan Wenger got a tremendous amount of playing time. Only two linemen (Sam Robey and Xavier Nixon) will be graduating following next season. Furthermore, this year we will gain two medical redshirts in Jordan & Thurman. So bringing in a large offensive line group this season may set us up for long term success at the position.

 

We currently have two of the top 15 OL recruits committed, and it wouldn't be a stretch to sign another from the group of Young and Meador. Getting the numbers up to 16 would be right where the coaching staff desires. I wouldn't really expect us to redshirt anyone unless we get lucky with injuries (unlikely).

 

 

Jaye Howard (DT, Graduating)

William Green (DE, Graduating)

Lynden Trail (DE, Transferring)

Returning

 

Omar Hunter (DT,RSR)

Earl Okine (DE, RSR)

Kedric Johnson (DE, RJR)

Sharrif Floyd (DT,JR)

Dominique Easley (DT,JR)

Ronald Powell (Buck, JR)

Leon Orr (DT,RSO)

Tevin Westbrook (DE, RFR)

Scout

 

Gerry Marseille (JR)

Evan Holmes (SO)

Commits

 

Damien Jacobs (DT, JUCO)

Jonathan Bullard (DE, E: #4, R: #3, S: #4)

Dante Fowler (DE, E: #10, R: #2, S: #11)

Dante Phillips (DT, E: #12, R: #18, S: #19)

Jafar Mann (DT, E: #30, R: #39, S: #39)

Quinteze Williams (DE, E: #20, R: #22, S: #36)

Alex McCalister (DE, E: #32, R: #27, S: #55)

Bryan Cox Jr (DE, E: #62, R: #36, S: #79)

Targets

 

Junior Gnonkonde (Med, DE, E: #120, R: #39, S: #106): 1) LT, 2) UF, 3) UCF

Notes

 

The other side of the line of scrimmage is just as valuable to Will Muschamp, especially with defense being his strong suit. We lose four year contributors Howard & Green to graduation, and athletic freak Lynden Trail to a transfer. That leaves us with only eight players returning on a line that got banged up quite a bit. We'll have two seniors and four juniors next season. In addition, I wouldn't be surprised if Powell, Floyd, and/or Easley jumps to the NFL following next season.

 

Therefore, to no one's surprise, the Gators are working overtime to land a ton of big recruits at both positions. We've brought in a JUCO transfer in Jacobs who should be able to make an immediate impact. Commits Jafar Mann & Quinteze Williams will bring in needed depth. I've moved Dante Phillips to the defensive line list, even though he is ranked as an OT.

 

The Gators received a huge catch in five-star DE Jonathan Bullard at the Army All-American game. Gator fans should all be salivating over the prospect of bringing in a few of the big time DL targets, including McCalister, Williams & Hamilton. Coaches Muschamp & Quinn are licking their chops getting ready for next season.

 

 

Mitch Minchin (Scout, Graduating)

Dee Finley (OLB, Transferring)

Returning

 

Lerentee McCray (OLB, RSR)

Jonathan Bostic (ILB, SR)

Jelani Jenkins (OLB, RJR)

Darrin Kitchens (OLB, JR)

Michael Taylor (ILB, RSO)

Gideon Ajagbe (OLB, RSO)

Graham Stewart (ILB, SO)

Chris Johnson (OLB, SO)

Scout

 

Scott Peek (RSR),

Hygens Succes (SR)

Commits

 

Jeremi Powell (OLB, E: #26, R: #17, S: #26)

Antonio Morrison (ILB, E: #39, R: #10, S: #20)

Targets

 

Deaysean Rippy (None, LB, E: #32, R: #21, S: #17): 1) Col, 2) UCLA, 3) WVU

Notes

 

The Gators were a bit thin at the position last season, but we played well with what we had. Jon Bostic had another outstanding season, and Jenkins & McCray really held up well. I was really impressed by Michael Taylor in his time on the field, and Darrin Kitchens played well before his frightening late season injury.

 

The Gators only lost Dee Finley from last year's team, who transferred. He was a natural safety anyways and had struggled to learn the position. Bringing in commits Powell & Morrison will only help bolster the corps. Josh Harvey-Clemons one of the consensus top linebackers in the class, and from all reports, Florida is at the top of his list. A big signing like him would be huge following losing starters Bostic & McCray following next season due to graduation.

 

 

Moses Jenkins (CB, Graduating)

Brian Biada (Scout, Graduating)

Newton Lizima (Scout, Graduating)

Joshua Shaw (S, Transferring)

Returning

 

Josh Evans (S, SR)

Jeremy Brown (CB, RJR)

Matt Elam (S, JR)

Cody Riggs (CB, JR)

Jaylen Watkins (CB, JR)

DeAnte Saunders (CB/S, SO)

Marcus Roberson (CB, SO)

Loucheiz Purifoy (CB, SO)

Jabari Gorman (S, SO)

Valdez Showers (S, RFR)

Scout

 

Tim Clark (RJR)

Ben Peacock (SO)

Commits

 

Brian Poole (CB, E: #7, R: #8, S: #2)

Willie Bailey (CB, E: #24, R: #40, S: #34)

Marcus Maye (S, E: #8, R: #4, S: #7)

Rhaheim Ledbetter (S, E: #9, R: #29, S: #12)

Targets

 

Notes

 

Heading into last season, this was the youngest group on the field, including a stellar recruiting class. They excelled on the field and continued to grow throughout the season. Matt Elam stepped up and became an All-American candidate, while Pop Saunders & Marcus Roberson had a ton of big time PT as freshmen.

 

From the looks of the Under-Armour High School All-American game this past week, it looks like the Gators are primed to bring in another incredible secondary. Brian Poole returned an interception for a touchdown and Marcus Maye recovered a fumble. If the Gators can bring in cornerback Tracy Howard, we would solidify our secondary for the next three years.

 

 

Zack Brust (K, Graduating)

Cody Hampton (LS, Graduating)

David Lerner (P, Graduating)

Returning

 

Caleb Sturgis (K, RSR)

John Crofoot (K, RJR)

Christopher Guido (LS, RJR)

Brad Phillips (K, JR)

Kyle Christy (P, SO)

Todd Fennell (P, SO)

Kyle Crofoot (LS, SO)

Scout

 

Drew Ferris (JR)

Francisco Velez (JR)

Commits

 

Austin Hardin (K, E: #1, R: #10, S: #5)

Targets

 

None

Notes

 

Caleb Sturgis was finally healthy enough to back up his high recruiting ranking, as he was a finalist for the Lou Groza award. Because of his past injury history, he'll have another season in Gainesville. The Gators lost former Ray Guy award winner Chas Henry to graduation before last season, and struggled early in the year with David Lerner taking over the position. Halfway during the season, Muschamp made the switch and freshman Kyle Christy took over. He showed that he could be the guy, but will need to work on his consistency. He'll be pushed by fellow sophomore punter Todd Fennell.

 

We will be bringing in kicker Austin Hardin. After watching his shaky performance in the Under-Armour game, I'm happy he's gonna have a year to study under Sturgis. He could redshirt barring a Sturgis injury, but more than likely he'll be used on kickoffs starting this season. With this signing, we'll be secured at kicker through 2015 and punter through 2014.