DB: Florida ‘finally’ has receivers to get passing game going
By Andrew Olson
Published:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Entering his third season with the Gators, Florida CB Quincy Wilson is excited about the pass-catchers he’ll be competing against in practice.
“We’ve got some good receivers, finally,” Wilson said.
Before anyone thinks it was a slam on his teammates, Wilson made it clear that he’s simply optimistic that the newest receivers brought in by coach Jim McElwain will help kickstart the offense.
“Not saying that the other guys haven’t been (good), but the offense has been a little slow,” Wilson said. “Tyrie Cleveland, he’s been really good out there. Rick Wells also. (Joshua) Hammond and those guys have been looking real good.”
Wilson mentioned three of the five wideouts in the 2016 class by name. The two he didn’t mention, former four-star prospect Freddie Swain and three-star junior college transfer Dre Massey, both stood out in spring practice. If the season were to kickoff today, Massey would likely be the starting slot receiver.
The fact that these were receivers signed by McElwain is reason enough to get Florida fans (and players) excited. Of the 10 receivers signed by former coach Will Muschamp from 2011-2014, only one, Demarcus Robinson, topped more than 500 yards in a season (810 in 2014, 522 in 2015). Antonio Callaway, who signed as part of McElwain’s first class, led all Florida wideouts with 678 receiving yards last year.
Whether it was bad luck, poor evaluation of talent, shaky quarterback play or a combination, Muschamp struck out frequently when it came to recruiting wideouts. The Muschamp receiver signees remaining on the 2016 roster have career numbers that resemble one season of work, or even a single game:
- Brandon Powell – 537 career receiving yards (2014 signee as running back)
- Ahmad Fulwood – 387 (2013)
- C.J. Worton – 81 (2014)
- Chris Thompson – 69 (2013)
There’s only one sure spot in the wide receiver rotation for 2016, and that belongs to Callaway. That leaves plenty of opportunities for the five newcomers to get involved in the rotation and make meaningful contributions this season.
It would be premature to expect any of the new pass-catchers to step in and put up Callaway-like numbers, but they’ve already impressed their coaches and teammates, and that means Gators fans have reason to be optimistic about the passing game, finally.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
