AlligatorSports continues its position breakdown by looking at Florida’s offensive line.
The UF offensive line was marred with injuries in 2013, resulting in shifts along the line throughout the season and forced some players to play positions that weren’t naturally theirs.
However, with some veterans fully healthy, some talented junior college transfers and a new offensive line coach, the unit should be much improved for 2014.
New offensive line coach Mike Summers, who was hired from Southern California, takes over a group of players that have years of experience on the field.
Summers’ toughest project may be molding redshirt senior Max Garcia into a reliable center. With the departure of four-year starter Jonotthan Harrison, Garcia takes over at the position. The Norcross, Ga., native played left guard and left tackle in all 12 games for Florida last season.
Garcia has never played center in his career, and he had some shaky snaps throughout the spring.
Garcia — who was recently named to the Rimington Trophy watch list for the best center in college football — should get the kinks out by the time fall camp rolls around in the next three weeks.
Two linemen who come back this fall following season-ending injuries are Tyler Moore and Chaz Green.
Green, who was positioned at right tackle, tore the labrum in his shoulder before the 2013 season began, which forced Moore to move from left guard to right tackle in Green’s place.
With Green back fully healthy at right tackle, Moore can move back to his natural position at left guard. Moore suffered a season-ending injury following a scooter accident late last season.
Junior D.J. Humphries will start at left tackle. He started in six of the seven games he played in as a sophomore before his knee injury in 2013. Now healthy, Humphries can play to his full potential this fall. Expectations remain high as Humphries was recently added to the 2014 Outland Trophy watch list, which is an honor awarded to the nation’s best interior lineman. He came in as the No. 1 tackle in the 2012 recruiting class, per Rivals.com.
Starting at right guard will be senior Trenton Brown, who played in all 12 games last season and started in Moore’s spot at right tackle in UF’s last five games. Brown came to Gainesville last season as a JUCO transfer.
Given the experience that this unit has, the offensive line is capable of being very successful under Summers. Staying healthy will be critical to protect quarterback Jeff Driskel and execute the run game led by Florida’s deep running back corps.
Follow Morgan Moriarty on Twitter @Morgan_Moriarty
Max Garcia (76) runs at an opposing player during Florida’s 30-10 victory against Arkansas on Oct. 5, 2013, in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Garcia moved from guard to center during spring practice.
