Gators at a glance

LAST SEASON 9-4, 6-2 (First in SEC East) COACH Jim McElwain (19-8 in two seasons at Florida, 41-24 in five seasons overall).

RETURNING STARTERS (18): Offense 9, Defense 6, Specialty 3

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS SS Marcel Harris, CB Duke Dawson, DE Cece Jefferson, RB Jordan Scarlett, OT Martez Ivey, PK Eddie Piniero, P Johnny Townsend.

SEC TITLE SCENARIO The Gators should continue to be strong on defense and have an experienced offensive line and play-making running backs and receivers, but it’s hard to see them winning the conference championship if they don’t get improved play at quarterback. They need either graduate transfer quarterback Malik Zaire to lead the offense or for redshirt freshmen Feleipe Franks or Kyle Trask to emerge as a starter.