Plenty of attention is paid to UF's playmakers at skill positions, but the quarterback, running backs and receivers are not what make the Gators offense go.
Before Percy Harvin can make some poor defensive back fall out of his shoes or Tim Tebow can do something ridiculous, the big boys up front have to take care of business.
They don't get the glory that the rest of their teammates do, but the offensive linemen are the difference between UF's dynamic offense running wild or hitting the wall. This season's unit has more depth and versatility than those of previous seasons, but it has been a challenge for the group to become a cohesive line.
Small, nagging injuries plagued the position throughout the preseason, and offensive line coach Steve Addazio said the health issues led to a patchwork practice style.
Players rotated in and out of different positions as needed, which allowed backups to get more experience and learn to play at several spots. Addazio named seven linemen that could play at least two positions on the line, a trait that should help compensate for injuries throughout the season.
"We are pretty versatile, and thank God," Addazio said. "That's why you have to do it, so you're not pigeonholed in a situation when a couple of guys get hurt and you can't function."
He added that Marcus Gilbert can fill both guard and tackle spaces and Mike Pouncey can play all five slots. Couple that with the grizzled veterans that lead the group, and the line could be the most solid part of the offense.
Guard Jim Tartt and tackles Phil Trautwein and Jason Watkins are all entering their fifth seasons at UF, and the coaching staff expects them to lead the way for their younger linemates.
"When you have that group of seniors up front, they're the horse, and the carriage has to stay with them - the carriage being everybody else," assistant offensive line coach John Hevesy said. "We do that with all our seniors. They're the horse that runs, and now everyone has to go with them."
Luckily for the Gators, that carriage is filled with young talent. Sophomore Maurkice Pouncey established himself as the center early, and twin brother Mike will fill the jack-of-all-trades reserve role.
Gilbert, James Wilson, Maurice Hurt and Carl Johnson - all redshirt sophomores or younger - should get plenty of playing time as well since Addazio said he wants to have nine or 10 lineman playing consistently.
Wilson moved up the depth chart fast since he nixed a transfer away from Gainesville in the spring, but he will have to get used to live action again after injuries ended his freshman year.
But since everyone else has game experience, Hevesy expects to see big improvements this season.
"As a veteran group, the biggest thing is they can work on little things," he said. "It's not just where to go and when to get there, but it's what set or step to use because they understand what the defense is doing rather than just trying to figure out where everybody is."
