UF enters
its 3rd season under Jim McElwain with high hopes and comes in at No. 18 in the Sentinel’s college football rankings.
Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel ranked all 130 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country entering the 2017 season. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 130 to our projected No. 1 team. Today at No. 18: Florida Coach: Jim McElwain (19-8, entering third season; 41-24 overall)
2016 record: 9-4 overall, 6-2 Southeastern Conference; first in East Division Look back: The Gators defended their SEC East title, but not without plenty of suspense.
A second-half collapse in September at Tennessee ended the Gators’ 11-game win streak in the series and left them playing catchup in the division race. But other than a stunning 31-10 November loss at Arkansas, McElwain’s team responded while the Vols stumbled badly. UF ended SEC play with a goal-line stand during a 16-10 upset win at LSU — in a make-up game caused by Hurricane Matthew — to lock up the East crown.
But for the second consecutive season the Gators let off the gas, losing at Florida State and against Alabama in the SEC title game by
a combined score of 85-29.
Offensive starters returning: 9 Offensive starters lost: 2 Defensive starters returning: 3 Defensive starters lost: 8 Key losses: LB Jarrad Davis, CB Jalen Tabor, CB Quincy Wilson, S Marcus Maye, DT Caleb Brantley, DT Joey Ivie, LT David Sharpe
Top returnees: WR Antonio Callaway, RB Jordan Scarlett, LT Martez Ivey, RT Jawaan Taylor, C T.J. McCoy, TE DeAndre Goolsby, DE CeCe Jefferson, DE Jabari Zuniga, CB Duke Dawson, DB Chauncey Gardner, K Eddy Pineiro, P Johnny Townsend
Strengths: The Gators must replace eight starters on defense, but the unit still boasts many talented, promising players.
DE CeCe Jefferson, who combined for 15 tackles for loss during his first two seasons, looks to become the unit’s next star. Quick, powerful and versatile, the 6-foot-1, 261-pound Jefferson will move along the line to create mismatches. Redshirt sophomore DE Jabari Zuniga might have even more upside. Zuniga was second on the 2016 Gators with 8.5 tackles for loss and garnered high praise spring drills. Senior Jordan Sherit is relentless off the edge, while 6-foot-3, 250-pound sophomore pass rusher Antonneous Clayton is long and cat-quick.
Three members of last year’s secondary were selected in the second round of the NFL draft. Big things are expected this year from fifthyear senior Duke Dawson, who moves to cornerback a season after leading UF with seven pass breakups from the nickel back position. Sophomore Chauncey Gardner is a rising star who totaled 17 tackles during the final three games and won Outback Bowl MVP honors after intercepting two passes, returning one for a score.
With nine starters back, the Gators’ embattled offense returns many of the pieces needed to vastly improve a year after finishing last in the SEC in total offense.
WR Antonio Callaway, WR Tyrie Cleveland and TB Jordan Scarlett all have playmaking potential. But the key to the offense’s success will be up front. UF returns four starters led by All-SEC preseason pick Martez Ivey. McElwain believes the unit will go from a weakness to a strength.
No team can match the Gators’ 1-2 punch in the kicking game. Eddy Pineiro tied for third in SEC with 21 field goals in 2016, while Johnny Townsend led the nation in punting (47.9 yards per punt).
Weaknesses: For the third consecutive spring, the quarterback competition seized center stage. The offensive-minded McElwain is under increasing pressure to identify the right QB to lead his attack. It shapes up to be a three-man race among Notre Dame graduate transfer Malik Zaire, redshirt freshman Feleipe Franks and Luke Del Rio, the starter to open 2016.
The nation’s fifth-ranked defense last season looks to replace both tackles and both linebackers with some promising, experienced reserves.
Outlook: McElwain’s teams have overachieved much of his two seasons but also underwhelmed too often. The 2017 Gators expect to improve on offense, but are likely to drop off a bit on defense. Playing well on special teams and limiting turnovers and penalties could be the difference against such a demanding schedule.
The Gators open against Michigan and face LSU, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida State. Two seasons after he was named SEC Coach of the Year, McElwain still has much to prove.