Gators’ Mullen faces key questions
The Florida Gators’ Media Day, the unofficial start of the 2018 season, kicks off with coach Dan Mullen at 11 a.m. today.
Mullen will have plenty to address, including some topics he likely would rather avoid.
Here are five question Mullen is sure to face: 1. How will he discipline his
players for their offseason shenanigans?
Mullen could receive as many questions about this as his quarterbacks, bringing an unwelcome distraction during a time he wants to focus on football. A May 28 rumble between nine Gators and a group of Gainesville locals led to bad optics nationally, six players facing student-conduct reviews and some potentially troubling questions for Mullen’s program.
Senior tight end C’yontai Lewis was friends with the leader of the other group, 21-year-old Gainesville resident Devante Zachery, known as “Tay Bang.”
Lewis described Zachery to police as a local gambler who became critical of last season’s 4-7 Gators costing him money on lost bets. Zachery also told police he gave Lewis and teammates discounts
while working at Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
Gambling ties and possible impermissible benefits to players are potential NCAA violations.
Two UF players, Kadarius Toney and Kyree Campbell, brandishing Airsoft rifles that resembled assault rifles is another red flag.
Charges have not been filed against UF players.
2. What is Mullen’s timetable to name a starting quarterback?
Someone is going to take the first snap on Sept. 1. The question is whether it will Feleipe Franks or Kyle Trask, a pair of redshirt sophomores with a lot to prove.
Franks has the edge in experience and athletic ability while Trask is the better pure passer. Mullen runs a scheme suited to a dual-threat quarterback, but each is more of a pocket passer.
Franks appears to the better runner, but Trask is not a statue. Mullen said he more wants a “willing runner.” The most important quality will be decision-making and accuracy, two areas where Franks struggled with last season.
3. Why is UF’s recruiting lagging so badly behind its top competition?
To put it mildly, the Gators are struggling during Mullen and his staff’s first full season on the recruiting trail. UF currently ranks 39th in 247 Sports team rankings.
Nine SEC schools are well ahead of the Gators, including SEC East foes Georgia (No. 2), Tennessee (No. 14) and South Carolina (No. 17). Mississippi State, Mullen’s former school, is No. 19. Annual crossover opponent LSU is No. 7.
Florida State, another state power with a firstyear coach, is No. 9. Miami is No. 18.
UF has commitments from just 11 players, at least five fewer than any of those schools. The ranking will rise as the class size grows. Yet the Gators also secured just one signee, Clewiston athlete Ja’Markis Weston, following last week’s Friday Night Lights event.
The Gators also do not have single commitment from a player ranked in the top 200. Meanwhile, Georgia has commitments from five five-star recruits.
There is time to catch up and put together a solid class, but UF is digging a deep hole.
4. Does Mullen expect transfer wide receivers Van Jefferson and/or Trevon Grimes to be eligible this season?
Both players and UF’s wide receiving corps are scheduled to meet with reporters Saturday. According to a UF spokesperson, this is not an indication either is eligible to play rather than sitting out a season per NCAA transfer rules.
5. Are CeCe Jefferson, Malik Davis and Brett Heggie on track to play in the season opener?
All three could be limited during preseason camp, but each is an essential piece of the 2018 Gators. Jefferson led last year’s team with 13.5 tackles for loss, Davis was the team’s most explosive running back and Heggie its most consistent offensive lineman.