When Brent Pease kicks his offense into high gear, confusing opposing defenses with various formations, motions and shifts, Trey Burton and Omarius Hines are expected to present some of the biggest problems.
The question defenses will have to answer isn’t simply, “Where will they line up?” It’s, “What are they?”
“That’s where you have some issues from a defensive standpoint: How do you count this guy?” coach Will Muschamp said of Burton and Hines. “Is he a back? Is he a receiver? Is he a fullback? Is he a tight end? He’s going to line up in all the places, so it’s very difficult for a defense to look at.”
The possibilities are exciting for Pease, who admits that in six years at Boise State, “we didn’t have players like that.”
Deciphering Pease’s offense was always going to be a chore for defenses because of how difficult it can be to identify how various shifts change the formation.
Knowing that the Gators have players in Burton and Hines who can be effective at multiple spots only adds to the challenge.
“They do create mismatches,” Pease said. “We will get them the ball, now they have to make plays.”
That was much easier said than done last season. Burton caught 19 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown and carried the ball 37 times for 155 yards and three scores. Hines notched seven catches for 106 yards and had one carry for 12 yards, failing to find the end zone all year.
Still, the optimism surrounding the 6-foot-3, 228-pound Burton and 6-foot-2, 217-pound Hines is understandable.
Along with 6-foot-3, 243-pound tight end Jordan Reed, Burton and Hines fit into the category of players who are simultaneously too quick for linebackers to contain and too big for corners and safeties to cover.
“You’ve got a guy whose got speed and ability to run vertical and snap routes, you’re matched up on linebackers,” Pease said. “Somebody like Jordan, who’s got really wide receiver ability but in a body like his, he’s a nightmare for defensive coordinators.”
The Gators are hoping Hines can join that cast of nightmares not just because of his versatility, but because of his big-play ability.
Hines averaged 14.8 yards per touch in his limited action last year, including a long of 39, and ripped off a 61-yard touchdown run in Friday’s scrimmage.
“When the ball is in his hands, he can go the distance,” Pease said. “He can create the huge, explosive plays. He can go 75-80 yards, because he’s got the other gear. He’s got the ability to catch. He’s got the ability to run. He’s got strength.
“He’s an incredible talent, so you just have to use him the right way.”
So far, it appears the Gators think every way is the right way to use Hines.
While his 61-yard touchdown came as a running back, Hines said he’s also lined up at wide receiver, tight end and fullback.
Although learning to play every position is a difficult adjustment, Hines has been putting in extra time with coaches to make sure he’s up to speed at every position.
“At first, it was a little overwhelming,” Hines said. “It’s been a long journey, man. From playing receiver to going to tight end, and now, doing pretty much doing everything. I love it. I’m enjoying it.”
Hines agreed with a reporter’s assertion that he could be “Trey Burton 2.0,” saying he was “stronger and faster” than his versatile counterpart.
Pease has been careful not to overload Hines mentally, and if UF’s jack of all trades can pick up the offense as well as Pease says he has, it could be a long year for opposing defenses.
“He’s done a good job,” Pease said. “He is a very smart kid on the field. He’s good. He understands things, and he wants more. He’s always, ‘Hey, can I do this play? Can I do that play?’ He’s a threat. He’s a weapon.”
Contact Greg Luca at gluca@alligator.org.
Omarius Hines (20) runs the ball during a drill on Saturday during open practice at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
