For the first time in five months, questions will turn into answers for the Gators.
After spring practice, player-run summer workouts and fall training camp, Florida will finally release a depth chart on Monday.
The Gators held an open practice on Saturday and a lengthy controlled scrimmage on Sunday. Gators coach Will Muschamp called this past weekend a critical time for his players.
"We've got to start figuring out where these reps are going," Muschamp said. "That includes special teams, offense and defense."
The coaching staff held a longer meeting than normal on Sunday to discuss where the team stands two weeks from the season opener against Bowling Green. Florida starts preparation for the Falcons on Thursday.
Although the coaches didn't announce any depth chart decisions, the Sunday night meeting wasn't for show.
"More than anything narrowing down our who is getting reps and then, talking in terms of special teams, who are the guys that we need to be stepping up on special teams for us, especially some of the younger players," he said. "Where are they figuring in as far as snaps and things are concerned? So we feel pretty confident as far as where we're headed in that direction."
The direction Muschamp is heading with the starting quarterback job, however, remains unclear. Sophomores Jacoby Brissett and Jeff Driskel haven't separated themselves since spring. Muschamp called the battle the closest one in camp.
"At this time, we'll see what happens. I'm not ready to comment on that," Muschamp said. "I think we have a press conference Monday of game week. We'll see Monday. I don't know. I'll make a decision. I'm sitting on some things right now. We still have some time."
Muschamp stressed one message to his players concerning a starting lineup, and they've listened.
"We're reminded every day that there is no depth chart," junior defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd said. "There are no starters. There is no second-string. [We're] just out there competing with each other and we're out there playing as hard as we can and fighting to get better, more physical and more mentally strong."
Still, position battles are being fought at many key positions.
The four players competing for the left and right cornerback spots: Marcus Roberson, Jaylen Watkins, Loucheiz Purifoy and Cody Riggs know they'll get to play a considerable amount this season regardless of how the depth chart shakes out. Florida used its nickel package with five defensive backs on 70 percent of its snaps last season.
Neiron Ball and Darrin Kitchens are working at first-string SAM linebacker alongside Jon Bostic and Jelani Jenkins.
Six running backs have split reps as Mike Gillislee's backup.
These types of decisions will likely be easier for Muschamp and his staff to make thanks to a larger sample of practice reps.
Florida eclipsed 130 snaps in its last scrimmage, while injuries and a lack of depth limited the team to, at most, 80 in 2011.
"I remember last year I set all the practice schedules before camp, and then you adjust as it goes based on your numbers, how the team is doing, fatigue, whatever the issues are," Muschamp said. "I've had to adjust very little this year as opposed to last year. I had a lot of red ink on the practice schedules."
No matter whose name sits in the top slot for a position, junior center Jonotthan Harrison can't wait for these "competitions" to end and the Sept. 1 opener to start.
"I'm real excited for it to come," Harrison said. "I'm not going to talk about the depth chart or anything like that. But Iím really excited for this game to come around. I feel like everything is going to mesh together real well."
Contact Adam Pincus at apincus@alligator.org.
Coach Will Muschamp watches over practice while quarterback Jacoby Brissett (12) passes the ball and Jeff Driskel (6) waits his turn.
