2007 Statistics

- Contributing writer Gene Rice

For those of you who still don’t know the name Dan Mullen, you haven’t figured out the ‘other guy’ who pulls the offensive string with Urban Meyer. He’s been with Meyer for the last four stops, so their bond is tight, and the ability for that to translate into on-the-field results happens in a way few can match. Last year, they produced their first Heisman winner, and with possibly the highest level of offensive talent in the nation from top to bottom, the experience they bring back makes them an automatic contender for any/everything the Gators are up for. This is ‘Spread Football 101’ being taught in Gainesville. Speed and execution is key, and they will have way too much of each.

QUARTERBACK
Back for sure since he will be a junior, Tebow is the consummate hurler who can run both over and by you, or just hit a target dead-on 30 yards downfield. Tebow was second in efficiency as he set the all-time NCAA record for most TDs (responsible for) in one season, 55 (32 passing and 23 rushing). His feet are always moving when he has the ball; well, every now and then, he stands in the pocket and delivers in the traditional QB style. Otherwise, the lateral fakes and multiple developments in each play have been mastered by the Philippine-born giant since his first championship-winning season. He throws on the run well and makes good decisions when things get hairy – he knows when to call his own number and just hit a visible hole. Tebow’s first steps when he hits the hole are deceptively quick; you see guys just missing him and/or being run over by his fullback running style all of the time (benches 400+). To touch on backup QB Cameron Newton, it is a shame he is behind the best in the land, but he is ready to show of his similar talents (in other words, the offense skips no beats when he is inserted).

RUNNING BACK
The Gators still run a bastardized (but worthy) version of the running option, too. This is where we introduce you to Percy Harvin and Brandon James, two Preseason All-Americans we feel will keep defenses from cheating on Tebow, which just helps everyone else, accordingly. Either Harvin or James can be found any/everywhere when the Gators come up to the line of scrimmage. Harvin was the top recruit for the entire nation (Rivals), and his 4.35 speed works in pads. He finished second on the team in rushing in ’07 despite having 21 less carries than true RB Kestahn Moore. Also a junior, James hides behind his beefy linemen (5’6) and suddenly breaks out of the pack. Like Harvin, he is a recipient of those crazy pitches from Tebow when the option is run…but James needs more touches than the mere 32 he got on offense last year. If there is one critique we stress for Meyer/Mullen on offense, it is that they need to keep all of the talent they have busy with enough reps/touches so defenses are always guessing. The combo of Tebow/Harvin/Caldwell (now departed WR) was most of what was employed for ball-handling in ‘07, and the better defenses that knew this fact stopped the Gators more consistently and won their contests. Names like little Chris Rainey (156lbs of lightning), USC-transfer Emmanuel Moody (Freshman All-American and Pac Ten Offensive Freshman of the Year – Sporting News) and Jeff Demps (No.1 Home-run threat – Rivals) mean spreading the rock around is a must.

RECEIVER
The receivers feature Louis Murphy now that stalwart Caldwell has finally departed (all-time career leader in receptions, which is no small claim here). A favorite of Tebow’s since both were fresh-faced in 2006, Murphy is a senior leader, and Riley Cooper will soon have a prominent role, also, after his 22.8 ypc average and three TDs in just eight total catches proved he is a must as (at least) a third receiver. Ex-QB Jarred Fayson left in the off-season. Aaron Hernandez (TE) and David Nelson (great downfield blocker) also have a place in their multiple-WR sets, but the two new guys to look out for are RS frosh Deonte Thompson, reported to be the fastest of all the fleet-footed Gators (three-straight 4.28 second 40-yard times at Scout.com combine) and big Carl Moore, a five-star JUCO-transfer who was the No.2 overall small-school player available at any position. Also on the track team, Thompson figures to find a prominent place amongst the swamp of talent. As if it isn’t enough for defenders to have to deal with, Cornelius Ingram is their senior tight end who finished with the highest yards-per-catch average for Gators with at least 10 catches. It’s just too much for opponents to mark every possible serious weapon.

OFFENSIVE LINE
All that is needed is a solid line to make it all work. The left side looks solid with Jim Tartt at guard and Jason Watkins at tackle – Watkins started all 13 games last year and knows the ropes, as does all-conference Tartt and his 29 career starts. But these seniors are the old, respected echelon…the new blood Meyer has attracted will make this offense really hum. Maurkice Pouncey started enough as a true freshman that his trial-by-fire will pay dividends at right guard. Mobile soph Marcus Gilbert is the logical starter at right tackle, a vaunted spot since Tebow is a lefty. That leaves the vacancy at center – big Carl Johnson has a lock on it if they want him to, but the “Pancake Man’s” ability to play any position along the line might preclude him from staying there for long if there are injuries. Mike Pouncey (Maurkice’s twin) is also slated to get a look there after playing DT last year, but rumors in spring have it that Maurkice may be the choice at center. Whoever winds up playing OL, this will be the best the Gators have looked up front in 10 years.

In an off year, UF still led the NCAA in third-down conversion percentage (53.4) and they were T-4th in sacks allowed, not bad for the former champions. If Florida can build even slightly on 2007’s strong offensive results, they should have an unstoppable force by mid-season that will keep defenders looking silly as the Gators out-scheme and out-play them.

The reason Florida did not repeat as champions was because of the nine new starters on this side of the ball last year. The results suffered due to inconsistency in their group efforts, though, individual development was immense and national statistical rankings prove that eight returning starters will make this a feared unit once again. If the Gators could finish 10th in rushing D with three new linemen and all new linebackers, just imagine how good they can be with two DLmen returning and all of the starting LBs also back…wow!

DEFENSIVE LINE
Jermaine Cunningham is the senior cornerstone for reconstructing the front four. Can he replace the production of Harvey? Well, he had 15 more tackles than the early departee (NFL), nearly as many sacks (6.5 for Cunningham and 8.5 for Harvey), and he even had an interception. He can handle the wear-and-tear of starting every game and playing almost every snap. Cunningham’s 17 tackles against LSU show he is a big-time player. The new end looks to be either Carlos Dunlap, a soph who was the No.1 weakside DE in 2006’s class (Rivals) and/or Justin Trattou, who started in the Capitol One Bowl for UF and had huge numbers in his limited reps last campaign. The ends don’t go as deep as other positions do here, but if these three (or even just two) can stay healthy, this area will not lower the bar of expectations for Meyer. Inside, the ever-tough Javier Estopinan is but again trying to rehab from an ACL (three in three years since arriving); he sat out spring, but Meyer is confident that if anyone can return from being dealt this much bad luck, it is the South Miami product. He would be nice to have, but we think there is enough talent otherwise to construct a killer group. Torrey Davis is the former No.2 DT recruit, while Buford’s (GA) Omar Hunter is this classes’ No.2 guy for the position. Davis played and had three TFLs in his eight tackles, promising numbers to say the least. Hunter arrives this fall, but he is projected to play as a true frosh with his amazing speed for his size (4.7 in the 40). John Brown, who red-shirted, should emerge into the two-deep, and Brandon Antwine will create a solid rotation that will not lack after it is broken-in. This line will have the kind of speed seen here when the Waterford Crystal Trophy resided on campus.

LINEBACKER
The linebackers will pick up where they left off, intimidating opposing QBs and flanking out onto extra receivers to great effect. Monster Brandon Spikes has moved into his MLB slot so well that he is a Second Team All-American for us this preseason. Spikes is the heart and soul of the defense. His ability to read plays and get to ball carriers is innate and superior, and is why he had 81 solo tackles (T-8th nationally). Classmate Dustin Doe was the best freshman Gator (most tackles) on D in 2006; all he has to do is step up a little bit and he will be at the same high caliber as Spikes. A.J. Jones is the incumbent at the other spot, but Brandon Beal, an early enrollee and this classes’ No.6 prospect (4.3 GPA), and rush end-LB hybrid William Green, the No.7 prospect, will be breathing down his neck with many others if Jones cannot produce like a Gator LB should. Ryan Stamper, John Jones, Jerimy Finch and Brandon Hicks are the first in line to see the field on game-days, though, since they were oft-used reserves in last year’s alignments. This corps will be one the Gator LB ghosts would be proud of – quick, smart and able to move as an effective unit together.

DEFENSIVE BACK
The starters at corner for this secondary had many tough days last year since the Gator run stopping did its job so well. The best corner will be starter Joe Haden, a lock-down type who led the team in passes broken-up (12). Wondy Pierre-Louis seemed overmatched at times, leaving us to think guys like Jacques Rickerson, Janoris Jenkins, Ahmad Black and Jeremy Brown might possibly take his starting slot. Our insiders say Jenkins will be the man. The wealth of amazing possibilities at safety is great. Replacing Joiner has many fans happy since he was often a marginal liability. Major Harris won the starting spot over senior Kyle Jackson and promptly won (true) Freshman All-American honors from everyone. Dorian Munroe made the academic honor role and plays just as smart, but the odds of him holding off the nation’s No.1 athlete in this year’s class, Will Hill, are slim if Hill is everything they say. New safety coach Chuck Heater should help turn the DBs up a notch. The DL getting to the opposing QB a second faster this year will help the secondary’s results directly, and once the back seven fills in with any new faces, this group will stop the pass nearly as well as they did in the BCS title year (4th in pass efficiency defense in 2006). UPDATE: Safety Dorian Munroe has been lost for season after tearing his ACL in right knee.

Areas needing attention are third-down conversions allowed (41%) and, if the LSU game is something fans can finally deal with, fourth-down conversions (Tigers went 5-for-5 and won the game this way). Speed like this, from top to bottom, isn’t found in many other schools, if any. If injuries keep them deep, this D could be the best in the nation.