It may be a little more than five months until college football season begins, but with March comes a chance for fans to get a glimpse of what their team will look like in the fall.
Spring football for the Gators kicked off Wednesday afternoon in front of a large crowd at the Sanders Practice Fields.
The 2014 Gators are putting last year’s 4-8 season behind them. That starts with switching things up offensively under new offensive coordinator Kurt Roper.
“Very fundamental in his approach,” coach Will Muschamp said.
“Certainly philosophically being on the same page with me and what we want to do, and that’s be balanced. We’re not going to get away from running the football. Different ways to run the football, but I think just a really good teacher and more than anything just a positive guy.”
The tempo of the new offensive scheme is significantly quicker than systems Florida has had under Muschamp, and the players noticed the difference in speed immediately.
Muschamp said the fast pace had some players burnt out by the end of practice Wednesday afternoon.
“You can see some fatigue at the end of practice when we had that move-the-ball period when we moved the ball down the field,” Muschamp said. “The execution on both sides really fell off. The communication really fell off. The focus. There were more busted assignments. That’s what happens when you get tired. Fatigue makes cowards of us all.”
This is the third new offense installed during Muschamp’s four years in Gainesville. He said getting the system implemented is the highest priority this spring.
“We’ll sit down and make sure we’re giving our players enough to be successful,” Muschamp said. “But we aren’t putting too much on their plate where we’re creating struggles within what we’re trying to do.”
Running backs Mack Brown and Kelvin Taylor will carry the load for the running game this spring. Junior Matt Jones, who suffered a torn meniscus last season, will be cleared after spring ball on May 1, and early enrollee Brandon Powell will be out for most of spring with a foot injury he had been dealing with in high school. Muschamp is confident with the backs fitting into the scheme.
“They are power guys, and they may elude the tackler a different way than making a move, but I feel like all the situations created in one-on-one matchups, you got to win those one-on-ones.” Muschamp said.
Roper utilized his tight ends — a much-maligned group last year — in his first practice. He lined them up outside several times.
But at this point in spring, Muschamp made it clear to not get too caught up on where personnel are placed.
“You’re really just kind of trying to teach the offense,” Muschamp said.
“Then as we move through it, then we will start narrowing down positionally of what we’re trying to do with certain guys at certain positions and what fits them best.”
Notes: Defensive back Nick Washington had solid corner coverage while taking reps with the second team, including a pick off of No. 2 quarterback Skyler Mornhinweg. ... Kelvin Taylor and Mack Brown both made talented cuts behind the line of scrimmage and hit holes well Wednesday. … Wide receiver Quinton Dunbar made catches while matching up against sophomore corner Vernon Hargreaves III and early enrollee Jalen Tabor. Tabor played mostly second-team corner but took some first-team reps with Hargreaves. … Jay-nard Bostwick took the majority of first-team reps at defensive tackle. Bryan Cox Jr. and Joey Ivie took reps for first-team defensive end.
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Will Muschamp instructs players during Florida’s first open practice on March 19 at Sanders Practice Fields.
