Florida football: 5 biggest holes to fill in the 2021 starting lineup
Florida fans have a right to leave the 2020 football season behind with a bittersweet taste in their mouth.
The Gators certainly accomplished a great deal in 2020. They wrestled the SEC East back from archrival Georgia and at full strength, were the lone team to push eventual national champion Alabama for 60 minutes, falling just short in the SEC Championship Game. Florida’s Kyle Trask also fell “just short” of the Heisman Trophy, becoming the 6th Gators quarterback to be named a finalist but likely losing it when he struggled on senior night in a disappointing loss to a middling LSU.
Florida failed to close the season strong, bookending a terrific but not quite enough performance in the SEC Championship with 2 ghastly losses, the aforementioned home stunner against LSU and a dismal Cotton Bowl defeat to Oklahoma.
Entering the offseason having lost 3 straight games for the first time in the Mullen era, the Gators face a tall task of trying to repeat as SEC East champions while overhauling, from both a personnel and schematic standpoint, an offense that was one of the most lethal in school history.
Here are the 5 biggest holes the Gators have to fill in their starting lineup in 2021. Given that Florida almost certainly wins at least 10 games with even a competent defense, it’s no real surprise the following list is offense-heavy. But we start on defense …
5. DT: Antonio Shelton/Gervon Dexter replacing Kyree Campbell
Florida’s best efforts defensively came when Campbell returned to the fold after missing the season’s first month with an undisclosed injury. The Gators were much better against the run after Campbell’s return, and when the gap-stuffing tackle opted out of the Cotton Bowl, it was a colossal loss that helped the Sooners chalk up 400 yards rushing in their rout of a short-handed Gators squad.
Campbell wasn’t the most highly coveted recruit, but he worked hard, developed and became a leader under Todd Grantham and especially under the tutelage of defensive line coach David Turner.
The Gators didn’t recruit well enough in the Jim McElwain era or early in the Mullen era to have much behind Campbell, and the more highly regarded recruit, Tedarrell Slaton, is a better NFL prospect but was never close to as consistent or productive a collegiate player. Slaton also bolted for the draft, leaving an even more significant gap for Florida to fill at tackle.
Into the void come a number of well-regarded, productive transfers, the most notable of which is classic three-technique tackle Antonio Shelton, who started 34 games at Penn State. That type of experience is tough to replicate, and Shelton should push former 5-star recruit Gervon Dexter who, like most freshmen, battled inconsistency issues. Dexter has the chance to be Florida’s most explosive tackle since Taven Bryan — but having him and Shelton, along with Auburn transfer Daquan Newkirk (more a nose tackle than a three-technique), gives Florida depth. Will that depth translate into consistent Campbell-like production? Time will tell.
4. OT: Richard Gouraige replacing Stone Forsythe
In a pass-first scheme adjusted to the talents of Kyle Trask and a stable of electric pass catchers, Florida finished 18th nationally in sack percentage (4.06%), a number close to 2019’s productivity — allowing only 20 sacks despite passing on .6% more plays than in 2019.
The biggest reason — literally and figuratively — was Forsythe, a 3-star recruit who blossomed under John Hevesy’s watchful eye the past 3 seasons. Forsythe graded out in the top 25 among pass blocking tackles, per PFF, and while his heavy-feet and monstrous size made gettting to the second level difficult in the run game, his length and strength made it very difficult for pass rushers to get quality angles against him. That helped him swallow up the likes of Azeez Ojulari in Florida’s rout of Georgia and hold Alabama rushers to 1 pressure against him in the SEC Championship.
Florida doesn’t have many options to replace Forsythe. Richard Gouraige, recruited as a left tackle, has largely played guard in his time at Florida. He does lead the roster, however, with 229 career snaps at the position, 52 of which came in the Cotton Bowl. The other candidate is Michael Tarquin, who struggled to pass block in practice last autumn but would be an upgrade in the run scheme.
This position is one of critical concern in 2021, as it will be charged with protecting a new quarterback’s blind side– and Florida hasn’t recruited well enough to have a high number of quality options.
3. WR/Playmaker: Xzavier Henderson/Malik Davis replacing Kadarius Toney
A finalist for the Paul Hornung Award, which honors the nation’s most versatile player (DeVonta Smith won, because, well, DeVonta Smith), Toney, always a threat with the ball in his hands during his first 3 seasons, finally found consistency and exploded as a senior in 2020.
His 70 receptions usurped the total he had in 3 prior seasons combined, and he gained over 1,000 total yards and tallied 12 touchdowns in the pass game, run game and return game to tie for the team lead in touchdowns.
More than the numbers, Toney always seemed to rise to the occasion when the Gators needed a big play. Toney didn’t drop a single pass thrown more than 10 yards downfield in 2020 on a high volume 31 such targets. He was devastating in 1-on-1 coverage, as Alabama learned last December:
🐊🏈🚨 Tony! Toni! Toné! Toney! Kyle Trask hits Kadarius Toney with a 51-yard bomb down the left sideline to tie Flordia with Alabama 7-7 in the SEC Championship Game. #Gatorspic.twitter.com/GqSBm6RSFY
— OnlyGators.com 🐊 Florida Gators news (@onlygators) December 20, 2020
When the ball wasn’t thrown more than 10 yards downfield, well — Toney could just run through dudes.
Kadarius Toney is one of my draft crushes 💕pic.twitter.com/QA33WlzWTf
— Boston Cream 🍩 (@itsbostoncream) February 9, 2021
I’m not sure there’s a player on Florida’s roster that can replicate the danger Toney created every time he touched the football — meaning the Gators, who have recruited well at the receiver position — may need to attempt to recreate the magic by committee.
Easier said than done.
2. QB: Emory Jones replacing Kyle Trask
Trask didn’t win the Heisman, but after a decade of mediocre to outright poor quarterback play in the post-Tebow era, Trask breathed life into the Florida football building and helped make the home of the Fun ‘N’ Gun exciting again. His legacy as a Gators great is secure, and there are plenty of scouts increasingly bullish on his NFL prospects.
Replacing a program great like Trask is usually difficult. For every Mac Jones for Tua story, there are 5 LSU situations, where a player most deem irreplaceable like Joe Burrow turns out to be just that.
Emory Jones, the most highly-rated quarterback recruit to sign for noted quarterback whisperer Mullen, has spent 3 seasons waiting his turn. Mullen has kept Jones involved, designing packages for him to help ease him into the offense and scheme. But the reality is that Florida altered its scheme to suit Trask’s strengths and is almost certain to alter the system to suit the dual-threat strengths of Jones as well.
Jones has looked comfortable passing the ball at times in his Florida career, but in his first healthy run of play against a big-time opponent since the Auburn game in 2019, Jones looked uncomfortable in the short passing game against Oklahoma, often aiming the ball and appearing inaccurate.
Can he improve his accuracy in that respect enough to keep defenses honest against the run? Jones ranked 1st in college football– ahead of noted dual-threats like Justin Fields and Malik Willis — in success rate on run plays from the quarterback position in 2020. Until Trask, Mullen’s best offenses had been run-dominant spreads predicated on the threat of the quarterback run game. Schematically, that’s what Jones offers. Can he deliver on a Dak Prescott-like level as a passser? That’s the question. If it is more of a Nick Fitzgerald situation, it could be a rough season for the Gators.
1. TE: Arik Gilbert, Keon Zipperer and Kemore Gamble replacing Kyle Pitts
An optimistic Florida fan will point out that Florida has a stable of talent at the tight end position, and possessed that even before Arik Gilbert, the No. 1 tight end in the country out of high school, elected to transfer to Florida after spending 1 season at LSU. That’s true. Kemore Gamble is a terrific blocker who runs nice routes — though he’s struggled with drops — and Keon Zipperer, a high-end 4-star tight end recruited by basically every program in America, showed flashes in 2020 when Pitts missed time due to various injuries.
The options are good.
The challenge is heady.
Pitts is quite possibly the best tight end in the history of college football. An NFL tight end in a college uniform, Pitts averaged more air yards per target (12.1) than any tight end in the last 2 decades with a minimum of 3 receptions per game. In an era where tight ends are targeted on 14.1% of pass plays — the highest mark since 2004 — Pitts wasn’t just a problem — he was a unicorn — a tight end you could trust to block but also one that could take on and beat your best cover guy, whether it was a safety 1-on-1 or a corner with safety help. Alabama’s Patrick Surtain II, the best corner in college football per PFF, had help here and still learned this lesson rather rudely in the SEC Championship Game.
Florida TE Kyle Pitts routinely makes contested catches look easy. He's got wiggle at the top of his routes and is so smooth after the catch. A small sample below of plays that demonstrate some of his special receiving ability ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/7gdPN3GsSd
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 11, 2021
SDS asked an NFL scouting director whose 2020 playoff team “likely won’t be high enough” to draft Pitts if he had seen a tight end as dominant in the college game and received a very brief response: “Other than Jeremy Shockey, no and it’s not close.”
In other words, Gilbert, Zipperer and Gamble could prove to be a monstrous group — by committee — and still not dominate a football game the way Pitts could. That’s a reality — but Florida will hope a productive 3-headed position group is at least capable of easing the blow.
4 out of the 5 needs listed are on offense so that would suggest UF’s needs are on that side of the ball.
My questions center on the NCAA and it’s plans with the Gators. I know Dan has a “show cause” order but that’s all I know. Where are we with the rest of it and what sanctions might be handed down as a result?
Unless I’m mistaken, all the penalties have already been handed down, with the worst of them already served. It was strange that most of the penalties were announced after they had already been served. You are correct in that most of the questions concern the offense…but most of us old Gators want to know if our defense can get back to respectable
Thanks dude.
Gonna be tough trying to replace that 3-Headed monster from last year (Trask, Toney, and Pitts).
Don’t tell anyone but I’m glad they’re gone.
Don’t tell anyone but Georgia couldn’t have picked a better time to put all the pieces together. UF will be coming back down to earth, Bama will be reloading, LSU is kind of a wild card… the door is open for UGA. I guess I’m gonna have to get all my 1980 jokes in now.
But don’t tell anyone I said that.
Pretty much this. Our 2020 season would have been a bit better had our defense been even average. The offensive things highlighted here are just examples of how fully formed that side of the ball has become.
Yeah, the show-cause order is still in effect, but the probation has already been served I believe.
Quarterback for sure ! Wide receivers & tight end were dependable in 2020 so the “next up” guys need to step up big-time. For the Gators sake in 2021 a good running game can relieve pressure from some of the huge passing #’s Trask and the receivers put up in 2020.
Not sure of the “show-cause” with Mullen, the NCAA takes it’s precious time on everything now, except transfers…rubber-stamps em fast.
Most of the penalties from that embarrassment have already been served, so the No Show clause is all that remains
The guy who wrote this piece drools over Pitts so much you’d almost think the writer is a Gator grad or a UF fan. Oh wait, that’s right, he is. Absolutely no homerism though. These SDS gator grads are of the highest integrity. And I’m sure Pitts will surpass all of Jerry Rice’s records. He’s the GOAT already. Let’s put him in HOF before he even plays a down in the NFL. Lol.
Actually, I’m jealous. Does SDS have a Dawg on the payroll? The closest thing is probably Bratton. He predicted all sorts of good stuff for UGA last year.
There are no dawg alums on sds
He is what he is and that’s too much for you to acknowledge. Good soft spoken kid, good family, already graduated, best TE in CFB 2020, probably top 5 draft pick, need I go on. Blackmon was just telling the truth. How are those sour grapes tasting?
Gotta agree when it comes to Kyle Pitts, the dude is one of the best if not best receiving TEs I’ve seen in forever. His only weakness is run play blocking but man, as a receiver he won over my respect. His choice of universities on the other hand…lol..jk. I hope Pitts go in top 5 – he’s deserving.
He was probably the best wide receiver in the country last season but I do not really consider him a tight end. He does not have the prototypical size (weight) of a TE but boy he sure is one helluva player. He will do better and last longer in the NFL if he’s a WR. I see many Pro Bowls in his future
Is Travis Kelce not a TE because Pitts is an inch taller and 10lbs heavier
No sour grapes here. I just can’t figure out how UF managed to lose 4 games with “quite possibly the best tight end in the history of college football” and the QB who had the Heisman in his back pocket for much of the season.
Pitts didn’t play LSU and Oklahoma
Unfortunately Pitts and Trask don’t play defense. Sadly they averaged 35 pts per game in the 4 losses, so it’s pretty obvious why they lost.
When those two played they played their hearts out. There was a malfunction at the defense junction and we still only lost the three games during the regular season by a total of 12 points (by 6 to Bama). Maybe I’m drinking the Kool-aid but …. We win one of the other two games and we likely would have gone to the playoffs to play with a full, regular season roster. Under those conditions we could very likely have beaten either ND or Clemson and had another shot at Bama.
Imagine being so salty about anything UF that you take a horrendously biased view on a player who is unanimously considered one of the best at his position in years. Of all the things you could focus on, why this?
because its a UGA fan
In other words, your typical Georgia Moron
Chill there, Dawg. Pitts is, at least, a generational talent at TE and there’s no reason to believe he won’t be at least very solid in the NFL.
Neil is homer. He’s going to always claim best of all time and quarterback whisperer. Mullen can’t recruit. He said it in article
Neil may be a homer but Pitts could very well be if not the best TE of all time top 2 or 3 for sure. Mullen is indeed a QB whisperer, he can recruit just not as good at it as other SEC bluebloods(and UGA). And you are just another delusional and obnoxious Georgia moron with Gator envy. What else is there to say? Oh right, 1980
LOL “Neil is a homer” is my favorite USMCDawg take.
Article quotes NFL Scouting Director who calls Pitts the best TE he’s ever seen in college, save Jeremy Shockey.
USMC DAWG: “Neil is a homer.”
LOL. The article expresses the opinion of someone outside Florida’s program.
Glad you singled me out must have struck a nerve. Mission accomplished. At least you had balls (cojones?) not to get lazy and say “1980” but Buck to Lindsay is all I think about when gator fans say that.
1980 Run Lindsay Run. Thanks
1980 . Run Lindsay Run. Best play in UGA history
See below a$$wipe
Going back to ‘08, it’s been a 3-game streak for each team and Florida’s currently in year 2 of their turn. It’ll be interesting to see if the Dawgs can break that pattern.
Is Mullen really having to alter his system to fit the skillset of Jones or is he just going back to what he does best and has done his entire career? Seems to me like Jones will be much more comfortable running his normal playbook than having to run the one that was designed for Trask and Franks. Gator fans have been waiting 3 years to finally see a Mullen recruited QB and his full playbook and now we’ll get to see it. One thing’s for sure, they definitely won’t be as one dimensional as they have been for the last couple of years. There’s no doubt about Jones’ running abilities and every defense they face will have to respect it.
This reminds me of the narrative after the 2019 season when we lost the 4 senior WRs and there was no way we could replace their production.
I think the offense will thrive with Emory running the real Mullen system
1980. Cocktails forever
Delusional and obnoxious Georgia Moron with Gator envy.
1980
I love 1980. Belue to Lindsay.