Last year, fans envisioned a dominant pass rush bolstered by a trio of blue-chip recruits. For one reason or another, those dreams simply didn’t materialize.
Dominique Easley, Sharrif Floyd and Ronald Powell were all ranked among the top-10 prospects in the nation by Rivals.com when they signed with the Gators in 2010, but the three combined for just one sack in their first year. Collectively, Florida’s pass rush registered the second-fewest sacks in the Southeastern Conference with 21, the fewest at UF since 2002.
The Gators are back in training camp, again. And, again, the expectations have been cranked up. The trio is more mature on the field, according to several teammates, and the team chemistry as a whole has improved.
But, like last season, it might be wise for fans to curb expectations.
“We need to play better up front,” coach Will Muschamp said after a team practice last week. “We’re not where we need to be, as far as our pad level, getting off blocks, shedding, making plays. I just feel like we can play better, can get more out of our players at that position.”
Muschamp, of course, brought a new defensive scheme to Gainesville when he came in December. He wants the Gators to run both 4-3 and 3-4 fronts this year, meaning the defensive linemen have to be comfortable playing two different roles by the time the season starts against Florida Atlantic on Sept. 3.
Since the spring, much has been made about Powell’s role in the Buck, a hybrid position in which he plays end in 4-3 schemes and outside linebacker in the 3-4. Floyd has also had to make an adjustment, shifting to defensive end for the first time in his life.
Floyd said he and his fellow linemen have spent too much time during scrimmages trying to understand all of their assignments instead of playing full speed and reacting to the offense.
“The main thing is we got to stop thinking,” he said.
Another issue for the group has been consistency, something that seems to be plaguing many underclassmen at camp this month. Muschamp pointed out that veteran players are generally better at playing through pain in the August heat.
Said junior middle linebacker Jon Bostic: “We just got to have guys coming out day after day with their assignments. We can’t come out one day, be a dominant pass rusher; the next day, not be a dominant pass rusher. We need the whole front seven up there — even the safeties coming on blitzes — everybody’s got to be able to get home.”
Contact Tyler Jett at tjett@alligator.org
WHERE THEY’RE
LINING UP
DT
Jaye Howard, RS senior
Omar Hunter, junior
Dominique Easley, sophomore
DE
Sharrif Floyd,
sophomore
William Green, senior
Earl Okine, junior
Buck
Ronald Powell,
sophomore
Lerentee McCray, junior
Defensive end Sharrif Floyd and the rest of the front seven hope to improve upon 2010’s lackluster pass rush this season.
