HOOVER, Ala. — When the Gators host their annual media day today, they will face many questions. However, not until they hit the practice field Aug. 3, will they begin to work on finding the answers.
Florida faces uncertainty at quarterback, a new offense and a need for playmakers in wake of the departures of running backs Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey among other areas of concern heading into this season. After a 7-6 record in 2011, coach Will Muschamp is ready to get the 2012 campaign started.
“Really excited about August 3 when we report after a very frustrating, disappointing first year,” Muschamp said at Southeastern Conference Media Days last month.
“We did not get the results we wanted on the field (in 2011). I feel like in the locker room, the weight room, the attitude of our football team, the discipline of our team, we’re headed in the right direction.”
Naturally, the Gators head into fall camp with a different team than last season. Some departures — Rainey, Demps and quarterback John Brantley — were expected. Other exits — transferring tight end A.C. Leonard — were unforeseen. Muschamp described the parting as “mutual.”
“Every decision I make is for the long-term success of our program,” Muschamp said last month. “As I said plenty of times, we’re building a program, not a team. That’s where we are right now.”
Some players will shoulder more pressure due to lost starters, but senior running back Mike Gillislee looks to do more than just simply take on extra carries in 2012. He even set lofty yards and touchdown goals that would etch his name in the UF record books.
“It’s not any more difficult,” Gillislee said of his increased role this season at SEC Media Days. “I am a senior, so I also have to be a leader more than anything by keeping my team up and keeping them going. There is no feeling like that.”
Muschamp anticipates a strong meshing of returning veterans and talented incoming freshmen. Florida will look to get early contributions from its third-ranked recruiting class.
“I think our depth will help us,” Muschamp said. “We’ve recruited well at those positions and have more guys with more game experience that I think are more game-ready.”
Last season, the Gators’ 7-6 record was their worst mark since 1987. Five SEC losses marked the most conference games Florida has dropped since losing six in 1979. League foes outscored UF 72-22 in the fourth quarter last season.
Florida begins to move on today. The Gators have been a staple in the SEC East race for the majority of the last 20 years, and they are eager to return to that level.
UF achieved a strong 4-0 start last season, but crumbled down the stretch with a 2-6 finish.
“We are going to start fast, and we are going to finish,” Gillislee said.
“We are going to be more physically and mentally tough. That’s what we have been doing. We work out to reach through adversity and the leaders are keeping everyone going. We are just focused on finishing.”
Contact Joe Morgan at joemorgan@alligator.org.
Senior running back Mike Gillislee runs the ball in a 48-10 win against Kentucky on Sept. 24, 2011. At the 2012 SEC Media Days in July, Gillislee predicted he would run for 1,500 yards and 24 touchdowns this season.
