Gators coach Will Muschamp released the first depth chart since spring on Monday, and while there were some surprises, there’s also a catch.
Some spots are locked down, like John Brantley at quarterback, but Muschamp said things are still up in the air with the offensive line and the secondary, adding the final week of practice would determine who starts Saturday against FAU at 7 p.m.
“The bottom line with me is that you have to earn the right to start, so if a guy doesn’t practice [well], he’s not going to start,” he said. “A guy has got to get out there and practice and compete and play the right way when we start our football game.”
On the chart, freshman De’Ante Saunders is listed as the starter at safety alongside sophomore Matt Elam, and offensive lineman Dan Wenger, a sixth-year senior who transferred during the summer, is listed as the starter at left guard.
As recently as Thursday, teammates pointed to Kyle Koehne as the front-runner for the left guard position, while junior Josh Evans or redshirt freshman Josh Shaw had been expected to start at safety.
Things become even more jumbled at cornerback, as the depth chart has Moses Jenkins “or” Cody Riggs listed at one spot, and either Marcus Roberson, Jaylen Watkins or Jeremy Brown at the other, in that order.
Muschamp offered some clarity.
“All of those positions are a little bit up for grabs as far as who practices the best.”
“I’m young, but I’m old-fashioned and generally how you play is how you practice,” he said. “Nobody, in my opinion, has separated themselves to be named the starter here Monday before our first game.”
Other positions have less competition, such as wide receiver and linebacker, but Muschamp cautioned that the depth chart “certainly can change as we work through the week.”
Injury update: Florida quarterback John Brantley said the soreness and tightness in his lower back that caused him to be limited in practice last week should not be a concern for Saturday’s game.
“I’ve been feeling good lately and I’m ready to move forward,” he said. “I’m not worried about it at all.”
Muschamp confirmed injured tight end A.C. Leonard (knee) would miss the opener against FAU. Junior cornerback Jeremy Brown is questionable after missing considerable practice time with a sprained knee. Wide receiver Omarius Hines (hamstring) and linebacker Dee Finley (shoulder) are also questionable.
Assistants on field: Muschamp said offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn would be on the field for games instead of in the box.
Quinn will call the defense, and Weis will call the offense. Muschamp said he felt it was important to have the coordinators on the field to communicate more effectively with players adjusting to the new systems.
“I’ve been through it before, the growing pains of something happens on game days that you’re not prepared for,” Muschamp said. “We’ve got to get them up, we’ve got to get them calmed down. We’ve got to say this is what’s happening.”
Contact Matt Watts at mwatts@alligator.org.
Sixth-year senior Dan Wenger, who transferred from Notre Dame during the summer, is listed as the starter at left guard for the Gators’ opener Saturday.
