The 2006 UF defensive line will probably be best remembered for chasing Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith all over the field in the BCS National Championship Game.
Many of the 2007 line watched those moments unfold on television.
Six true freshmen are competing for playing time in the front four, a stark contrast to last year's experienced unit.
"This might be one of the youngest groups I've ever worked with," UF co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Greg Mattison said. "I can't ever remember going into a meeting room where there were so many young kids that we were counting on. The good thing is that I don't know if I've ever been in a room where there is that much talent, either."
UF signed six defensive line recruits last year. Scout.com rated four of them as five-star players.
Freshman defensive tackles John Brown and Torrey Davis œ two of the best in the nation at their position in high school œ will likely see action as backups this season, while classmates Justin Trattou, Carlos Dunlap, Duke Lemmens and Jaye Howard could all play significant roles at defensive end.
The player charged with directing the inexperienced line is defensive end Derrick Harvey, who led the team in sacks last season as a backup.
Harvey is the only sure starter so far, and the defense?s success will rely heavily on his performance.
"My expectations are as high as his are, and so are our defensive coaches'," UF coach Urban Meyer said. "Derrick is above and beyond where we thought he'd be as a leader and a football player. He goes as hard as he can and he's got a tremendous future."
Jermaine Cunningham seems to be the favorite to start opposite Harvey and will need to emerge as a playmaker, because teams will likely key on Harvey throughout the season.
Trattou and Dunlap are probable second-stringers, and both have unlimited potential.
Dunlap's size œ 6-foot-6, 240 pounds and growing œ and tremendous speed make him a scary prospect, and he will have the chance to learn from Harvey, a preseason All-Southeastern Conference selection.
At tackle, Brandon Antwine and Lawrence Marsh have an edge on their competition, but Marsh can also play end, making him a valuable part of the squad.
Clint McMillan and Javier Estopinan œ who started two games last year and is coming off of his third knee surgery œ add some depth to the position, with Davis and Brown situated behind them on the depth chart.
While there is enough talent to go around on the defensive line, it will be hard to overcome the lack of experience and replace a unit that provided a steady four-man rush and anchored the nation?s sixth-best defense in 2006.
"All we have to do with this group right now is getting them to understand that you have to take every play one at a time and you have to play as hard as you can play," Mattison said. "If that happens, we are going to be fine."
