As season starts, Mullen has questions to address
Florida head football coach Dan Mullen will answer questions today at Florida Gators’ Media Day, the unofficial start of the 2018 season.
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 some questions 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.
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.
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.
4. 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.
A shoulder injury suffered by Jefferson in the spring game was a setback. The senior pass rusher and the Gators are transitioning to a 3-4 scheme under new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. Given Jefferson’s experience, though, he is sure to catch up quickly.
Davis and Heggie are coming off major knee injuries, but each was back during offseason conditioning. Whether that means either is ready for contact drills remains to be seen.