As the season creeps closer, questions are beginning to be answered.
With injuries keeping left tackles Xavier Nixon (knee) and Matt Patchan (wrist) out of Florida’s season opener, offensive coordinator Steve Addazio revealed the team’s plans to fill those voids.
Senior Mike Pouncey said he was ready to move to right tackle if necessary, but UF decided to keep the Rimington Trophy hopeful at center.
The rest of the offensive line will feature seniors Marcus Gilbert (left tackle), Maurice Hurt (right tackle) and Carl Johnson (left guard). Also, junior James Wilson will line up as the right guard.
With quarterback John Brantley starting his first game against Miami (Ohio), the offensive line will be looked upon to provide leadership.
“I like the experience, and that’s where we are right now for a lot of reasons,” Addazio said. “It’s worked out great, we’re excited about it.”
Nixon and Patchan’s availability for the second week of the season is unknown.
‘I don’t care’: Last year’s starting middle linebacker, Brandon Spikes, stood at 6-foot-2, 243 pounds.
Those dimensions could shrink to 6-foot-1, 223 pounds this season if redshirt freshman Jelani Jenkins starts at the position.
Some are concerned with the 18-year-old’s size, but Teryl Austin isn’t.
“I don’t care what they think,” he said. “I know what he does for us and I could care less what anybody else thinks.”
Instead, Austin believes Jenkins’ smaller frame could help him. When asked what sets Jenkins apart from UF’s other linebackers, Austin gave a quick response: “He runs like crazy.”
Keeping it in house: The Miami Herald reported freshmen Matt Elam and Solomon Patton were arrested for possession of alcohol under the age of 21 this summer.
Elam was found with a Four Loko and Patton had a drink that contained vodka, according to the Herald.
But coaches did not disclose the punishments the two players received.
“That’s something we handled internally,” Austin said.
Three Gators have been arrested for alcohol-related violations since June.
Elam and Patton are expected to be available when UF takes on Miami (Ohio) on Saturday.
Team captains: With the loss of Tim Tebow, Maurkice Pouncey and Spikes, coaches have been looking for players to separate themselves as leaders.
On Saturday, five players did that.
The team voted seniors Ahmad Black, Justin Trattou, Duke Lemmens, Mike Pouncey and A.J. Jones as the team captains.
