With Jake McGee out, Clay Burton ‘accepts’ bigger role at tight end

When news broke of Jake McGee’s transfer to Florida back in May, he was immediately pinned as someone who could flourish under Kurt Roper’s new offense. At 6-foot-6, 255-pounds, McGee’s reputation as a pass-catching tight end had Florida fans believing McGee would be the next Jordan Reed.

Unfortunately, those plans were cut short Saturday night, thanks to a severe leg injury that McGee suffered in the first half. While engaged in a block, a player fell behind him and rolled onto his leg, causing both his tibia and fibula to break.

Prognosis? Out for the season. McGee’s time with Florida was over as quickly as it began.

So what do the Gators do now?

To quote head coach Will Muschamp, “Man down, man up.”

Enter in senior tight end Clay Burton. The Venice, Fla. native had the best game of his career Saturday night, hauling in seven catches for 42 yards. His previous two seasons at tight end weren’t nearly as productive. In addition to developing a reputation for dropping the ball, this defensive end-turned-tight end had career stats of just three receptions for 24 yards.

“It felt really great just having Coach Muschamp’s confidence in me…to kind of go play free and just give everything I had to the team,” Burton said after Saturday’s game.

No matter how great Burton plays this season, the loss of Jake McGee is a big hit for the Gators offense. In addition to being an All-ACC tight end, McGee was definitely the biggest downfield threat out of the tight ends. During his time at Virginia, McGee played slightly out of position as a wide receiver-tight end hybrid. Within Roper’s offense, he was going to have the opportunity to be more comfortable in a position better suited for his skills. His ability to stretch the defense would take the pressure of Florida’s wide receivers on the outside, which would certainly make life easier for quarterback Jeff Driskel.

There’s a significant difference between McGee and Burton’s skillset, but Burton showed he can bring value to this Florida offense and even began developing a new reputation. Burton came through in the clutch for Florida several times against Eastern Michigan as three of his seven catches coming on third-down conversions. Safe to say, Muschamp is thrilled with Burton’s progress.

“He’s changed his body a little bit,” Muschamp said Monday. “He’s quicker than he’s been, he’s faster than he’s been. He worked extremely hard all summer. He hasn’t had many drops at all through fall camp and working into game week. He’s a player who has done everything we’ve asked him to do to put himself in a position to be successful, and he certainly was Saturday.”

“[Burton’s] more of a move the chains guy, did some things for us on third down,” Muschamp added. “He’s got really good football instincts to sit in spots as far as zone and those things are concerned. He does a nice job with those things.”

Most importantly about Burton, his teammates have confidence in his ability to step up as the primary pass-catching tight end, especially his quarterback.

“Losing Jake for the year is a big loss, but Clay showed he was very capable in the passing game,” Driskel said. “He made some tough catches and he’s already been a really good blocker. He’s going to have step up big time for us.”

Burton knows the weight of the responsibility in front of him. Yes, he certainly hasn’t been a reliable pass-catching tight end in the past, but the senior is prepared to embrace the role that’s been handed down to him. Anything to help the team win, he says.

“I love that role,” Burton said about becoming the team’s primary tight end. “I want to accept it. I want to do whatever I can to help the team win. If that’s what I have to do, I’m going to keep working hard behind the scenes like I’ve been doing.”

Drew Laing

Drew Laing will be providing analysis and insight on Florida, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.