The offense proved to not only be
fine, but potent. It is loaded with firepower
that will operate behind an experienced
offensive line. The front five lost one starter, so
senior guard Drew Miller moved to center.
After struggling in the first few weeks of
practice, Miller had the role down by the
Orange and Blue Game.
At receiver, senior Andre Caldwell
returned for his senior season and has been
moved to the outside after lining up in the
slot. Sophomore Percy Harvin takes over the
slot role, and will be the go-to-guy. Junior
Cornelius Ingram proved this spring that he
can be a big-time SEC performer. The
converted quarterback to tight end showed
he’s more comfortable with his role.
Wideouts Louis Murphy and David Nelson also emerged as strong options for the
Gators, and early entrant Aaron Hernandez,
who was the top high school tight end last
year, also had a great spring.
After Chris Leak’s departure, Tebow
eagerly stepped in as the leader of the offense
and proved he can be the dual-threat
quarterback that everyone expected him to
be. He completed 17-of-27 passes for 216
yards in the spring game while tossing three
touchdowns.
In the end, the only true problem for
the Gator offense is in the backfield.
Sophomore Mon Williams emerged as an early
favorite, but suffered an ACL tear in his knee
that will sideline him in 2007. Junior Kestahn Moore became a more powerful back and
showed that his field vision has improved and
is the frontrunner for the starting job.
The defense improved during the
spring, but there is still a long way to go. On a
positive note, the line returns junior Derrick Harvey at defensive end, who put up huge
numbers in the BCS title game against Ohio State. Sophomore Jermaine Cunningham
solidified the other end spot, and redshirt
senior Clint McMillan and redshirt junior Javier Estopinan will fill the middle with sophomore
Brandon Antwine.
The linebacking corps is completely
new, but highly regarded. Sophomore
Brandon Spikes takes over the Mike spot left
vacant by Brandon Siler. Spikes is a big,
physical player who will eventually take over
the leadership role on defense. Redshirt
sophomore Ryan Stamper came into his own,
earning a starting spot and sophomores
Dustin Doe and redshirt freshman A.J. Jones
will also contribute.
The secondary has to deal with the
loss of All-America Reggie Nelson at free
safety, but strong safety Tony Joiner is back
for his senior season. Joiner has the maturity
and patience to work well with his younger
surrounding cast and with senior Kyle Jackson, the safety positions will be solid.
The cornerback position dealt with
some lingering injuries, but by the Orange
and Blue Game, a couple of players proved
they can handle the job. Redshirt junior
Markus Manson moved from tailback to
cornerback and adjusted nicely. Sophomores
Markihe Anderson and Wondy Pierre-Louis
also had strong springs, but they could be
pushed by true freshman Joe Haden.
The kicking game will feature two
new kickers, with incoming freshman Chas Henry expected to replace Eric Wilbur at
punter and several players battling for the
placekicking role.
The schedule is highlighted by a trip
to Baton Rouge to face LSU, but home games
against Tennessee and Auburn in The Swamp,
where Meyer has yet to lose a game in 14
tries, should give the Gators a legitimate
chance to defend their SEC East title and
challenge for another league crown.