2013 Florida Gators Preview - Offense

Jeff Driskel attempts a rare pass with no opposing defenders in sight.  I'm guessing Tennessee was the opponent.


   

There's no need to sugarcoat it.  UF's offense flat out sucked last season, finishing 12th in the SEC in passing offense and dead last in total offense.

But that was last year; brighter days are ahead. 

In my less than expert opinion, here's a breakdown of UF's 2013 offense by position.   

Quarterback:

Against Tennessee last season Jeff Driskel looked like the second coming of ol' what's his name currently playing for the New England Patriots (soon to be the Saskatchewan Roughriders).  Little did we know at the time Tennessee fielded its worst defense since man discovered fire.  Against legitimate competition Driskel looked lost at times...locking onto primary receivers, waiting until they were open instead of throwing to a spot, not sensing pressure worth a damn and for whatever reason REFUSING TO THROW THE BALL AWAY...WHAT THE F**K JEFF?!?!  WHY DO YOU HATE AMERICA?!?!?

Good news is Driskel's a year older, he doesn't have Jamarcus Briskett breathing down his neck for playing time, and he's shown a greater command of the offense.  For the first time in his UF career he's got the same offensive coordinator two years in a row, and thankfully his last name is not Addazio. 

UF sinks or swims with Jeff Driskel, and Lord help us all if he gets injured.

  

Running Back:

Matt Jones has dreadlocks, a beard and gold teeth...all of which are essential for long-term success in major college football.  Unfortunately he also has a nasty viral infection keeping him sidelined indefinitely. 

UF legacy Kelvin Taylor looked to be the heir apparent, but according to Coach Muschamp he's currently FOURTH on the depth chart behind Mack Brown, Charlie Brown and Bobby Brown.  Hopefully this is all a motivational ploy by the coaching staff, because I'm not convinced anyone named Mack Brown can take a program to the next level, let alone keep it there (like that other Mack Brown in Austin). 

Please get well soon Matt Jones...please?

Wide Receiver:

Ike Hilliard and Reidel Anthony aren't walking through that door.  However Quinton Dunbar and Solomon Patton are back, in addition to heralded freshmen Demarcus Robinson and Ahmad Fulwood.  Robinson has been tearing it up at practices and scrimmages, and barring injury it's a safe bet he'll start every game of his UF career.  Fulwood comes to us from high school football powerhouse Bishop Kenny in Jacksonville, where eViL G graduated around the time Thomas Edison invented the light bulb. 

Loucheiz Purifoy and Latroy Pittman should provide much needed depth.  More on Purifoy later...

I'm torn on the loss of Andre Debose.  Coming out of high school five years ago, just about everyone compared Debose to Percy Harvin, and Debose absolutely hated the comparison.  Now we understand why.  I hate to bang on a kid who blew his knee out before getting a final chance to silence the critics...but damn Andre, you only had three more catches than my grandmother last season, and that lazy work ethic drove the coaching staff crazy.  Here's hoping rehab goes well and he's on schedule to graduate.  And if Debose decides to come back for a 6th year to make me eat my words, I'm cool with that too.

Robinson and Fulwood give Joker Phillips all the job security he needs.  Throw in recent verbal commitments from some stud WR recruits, and the future is extremely bright, with or without Debose.

Tight End:

Jordan Reed's departure is arguably the Gators' biggest loss on offense.  Clay Burton is currently listed as the starter, which brings a smile to opposing defensive coordinators across the country.  Burton is a decent enough blocker, but he's got banana fingers as a receiver.  Colin Thompson and Kent Taylor are also in the mix; one is a better receiver than blocker, the other is a better blocker than receiver. 

BIG dropoff at this position relative to 2012.

Trey Burton:

Back for his 9th and final year of eligibility, Trey is too versatile to be mentioned under one particular skill position.  He'll play anywhere from fullback to slot receiver to wildcat QB, and Tennessee's defense will no doubt find some new and creative way  for Trey to score multiple touchdowns.  Hell he might even complete a pass to his brother.  We can dream right?

Offensive Line:

Jeff Driskel got sacked once every seven pass attempts last year, which sounds worse than it is when you consider Driskel's internal clock was stuck on snooze when dropping back to pass, and in at least five games it seemed like UF didn't attempt seven passes. 

With the "loss" of Xavier Nixon and addition of transfers Max Garcia and Tyler Moore, UF's offensive line might be one of the more underrated units in the SEC.  Chaz Green, Jon Halapio, Jon Harrison and future star D.J. Humphries are all back. 

I'm expecting great things from this bunch.

Offensive Outlook:

The loss of UF's leading rusher and receiver should be a cause for concern.  The silver lining is Brent Pease's return as offensive coordinator.  UF hasn't had a competent offensive coordinator stick around for consecutive years since Dan Mullen.  Pease earned his paycheck last year, and he'll do it again this year. 

Demarcus Robinson replaces Jordan Reed's production, a healthy Matt Jones/Kelvin Taylor combo surpasses Mike Gillislee's production, and Jeff Driskel figures out how to read a corner blitz before half the stadium sees it coming.

UF is a year away from being downright dangerous on offense.  This year we'll see steady improvement as the young receivers develop.

Matt Jones, please get well soon. 

-eG