The 2015 Orange and Blue Debut kicks off this Saturday afternoon at 12:30. Here are five players to watch for as the Spring football season concludes.
Quarterback Will Grier
Grier redshirted last season but has set himself apart from sophomore Treon Harris, who started in the final six games of last season.
Harris missed a few days of practice due to a family matter, giving Grier the opportunity for more first-team reps.
Grier, being more of a pro-style quarterback, may fit better in Jim McElwain’s offense, but McElwain has yet to name a starter at this point.
Tight end DeAndre Goolsby
With redshirt senior Jake McGee out from live contact drills for Spring, Goolsby has taken most of the first-team reps at tight end. He missed some practice time last week with a minor knee injury, but is expected to be full-go on Saturday.
McElwain likes to use multiple tight end sets in his offense, so Goolsby, along with McGee, could fill those roles this Fall. Last year Goolsby played in seven games as a true freshman but didn’t have any catches.
Defensive lineman Alex McCalister
Dante Fowler Jr.’s departure for the NFL Draft left a hole at the Buck linebacker spot — a hybrid linebacker/defensive end position — but McCalister has stepped into the roll this Spring.
Last season, McCalister was a valuable part of the defensive line rotation, playing in all 12 games. He finished second on the team in sacks with six.
You don’t replace a talent like Fowler, but having McCalister to take over at the spot isn’t too bad of an alternative.
Linebacker Alex Anzalone
The linebacker depth is razor thin for the Gators this Spring, allowing less experienced players like Anzalone to see significant playing time with the first team.
Anzalone had 14 tackles as a backup last season and saw action in 10 games as a true freshman in 2013.
Don’t be surprised if Anzalone retains the starting role at the Sam linebacker spot this Fall after getting valuable experience as a starter this Spring.
Wide receiver Ahmad Fulwood
Outside of Florida’s best receiver Demarcus Robinson, Fulwood is arguably the most talented wideout on the Gators’ roster.
At 6-foot-4, his height creates some matchup problems for defensive backs when matched up in one-on-one coverage.
Although he has the size, Fulwood’s career stats aren’t much. He has just 29 catches for 326 yards along with two touchdowns.
One of those touchdowns came on an 86-yard heave from Harris in the Birmingham Bowl on Jan. 3.
Florida desperately needs playmakers to step up at wide receiver.
Fulwood could be one of those to make the leap.
Follow Morgan Moriarty on Twitter @Morgan_Moriarty
Will Grier warms up prior to Florida's game against Vanderbilt on Nov. 8 in Nashville, Tennessee.
