EARLY BIRD 2006 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED THANKSGIVING 2005
FLORIDA GATORS
OFFENSE - 6
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 6
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Randy Hand-OT, Tavares Washington-OG, Mike Degory-C, Lance Butler-OT, Chad Jackson-WR (NFL), Skyler Thornton-RB (transferred), Josh Portis-QB (transferred)
DEFENSE: Jeremy Mincey-DE, Todd McCullough-SLB, Vernell Brown-CB, Jarvis Herring-SS, Demetrice Webb-CB (NFL)
Receiver

The Sunshine State has never been short on skill players and the Gators have grabbed their share. The only problem is a good one – when all are 100% healthy, are there enough balls to go around.

Offensive Line

The OL is going to be a reconstruction process for this offense under Urban Meyer. The running game cannot improve without new faces stepping up to block. Mobile linemen in their spread offense will be key.

WR Chad Jackson
 
LB Brandon Siler
 

* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2006 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
FLORIDA 2006 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Chris Leak-Sr ..
RB DeShawn Wynn-Sr Markus Manson-So
WR Dallas Baker-Sr Kestahn Moore-So (RB)
WR Jemalle Cornelius-Sr ..
WR Kenneth Tookes-Sr Andre Caldwell-Jr
WR/TE Tate Casey-Jr ..
OT .. ..
OG Jim Tartt-So ..
C .. ..
OG Steve Rissler-Sr Drew Miller-Jr
OT .. ..
K Chris Hetland-Sr ..
DEFENSE
DE Joe Cohen-Sr Ray McDonald-Sr
DT Marcus Thomas-Sr ..
DT Steven Harris-Sr ..
DE Derrick Harvey-So Jarvis Moss-Jr
SLB .. ..
MLB Brandon Siler-Jr ..
WLB Earl Everett-Sr ..
CB .. ..
CB .. ..
SS Tony Joiner-Jr ..
FS Kyle Jackson-So Reggie Nelson-Jr
P Eric Wilbur-Sr ..
QUICK ANALYSIS

Many will call Urban Meyer’s initial efforts in Gainesville a bust since he did not have the instant success he found at Bowling Green and Utah. But students of the game know he lost three in each of his two years at BGSU, so losing that many yet remaining competitive in the SEC doesn’t look too bad to us. How could the rising genius not win them all with even more talent than at either of those past two stops? The answers lie across the line(s) of scrimmage – SEC foes can make up for being spread out with their superior size and speed. Meyer now knows why this is the nation’s toughest conference, with many lessons he won’t soon forget as he revamps his schemes this offseason. Now, what that equals with a totally revamped group of starting OLmen is another question. Answers here will bring more mobility than the lumbering giants he inherited, and quick bigmen are the key for his offensive ideals to become point-scoring realities. We expect a few more conservative formations, a move that actually creates more options for which foes to have to prepare. All talent positions back equals senior leadership out the wazoo. The Gator D finds all areas holding secure as a majority of starter (seven also on defense come back) in each unit return. The line looks to return strongest, while the secondary has the most youth and will need the most attention. ‘Bama-LSU-Auburn-UGA sequence will define 2006, though, three are at home (if you count Jax – an hour away). Western Carolina won’t have UF topping any strength-of-schedule lists, either. The right balance is there for the Gators to do better…as long as Urban K.I.S.S.-es their schemes for SEC play (Keep It Simple, SIMON).

 

2006 SCHEDULE

9-2 Southern Miss
9-9 UCF
9-16 @ Tennessee
9-23 Kentucky
9-30 Alabama
10-7 Louisiana State
10-14 @ Auburn
10-28 vs. Georgia @Jacksonville, FL
11-4 @ Vanderbilt
11-11 South Carolina
11-18 Western Carolina
11-25 @ Florida State