The Florida Gators, who won a share of the 2003 Southeastern Conference East Division Championship, return 43 letter winners and are prime to surpass last year’s win total of eight games.
Of the returning starters, the Gators offense retains five and loses six. The most notable, sophomore quarterback Chris Leak, will likely be a pre-season Heisman candidate.
Leak’s numbers were landmarks at Florida. Starting in all 13 games, he passed for 2,435 yards with 16 touchdowns, both records for a true freshman.
Coach Ron Zook said Leak will put the Gators on top.
“On the offense side of the football there is no question Chris Leak is a leader,” he said. “He is a young man who played with an unbelievable amount of poise and unbelievable amount of composure.”
Sophomore Justin Midgett, who completed 16-of-31 passes for 286 yards in the spring game will be Leaks’ backup.
Besides Leak, the offense will feature senior wide receiver O.J. Small, who had 13 receptions for 379 yards and a touchdown in 2003. For the Gators offense to excel this season, Small will need to establish himself as the teams’ playmaker after the departures of wide receivers Kelvin Kight and Carlos Perez.
Zook said he anticipates Small to meet expectations.
“O.J. Small is a guy who really came into his own last year, and there is no question he will be a heck of a football player for us,” Zook said.
Small will be joined by sophomore Reggie Lewis, who caught seven passes for 109 yards in the spring game and junior Dallas Baker who had three receptions for 176 yards.
The biggest hole to fill on the offense will be the absence of tight end Ben Troupe. Troupe, the 40th overall selection in the 2004 NFL draft, was the Gators top receiver in 2003, compiling 638 yards on 39 receptions.
The team will look to counter the loss with senior David Kenner. Kenner improved his chances for the starting spot after his four catches for 72 yards in the spring game. The other players competing for the starting job are junior Markell Thompson and senior Darnell Carpenter.
Zook said although there is a lot of talent, the tight end position is up in the air.
“The tight end position is going to be one of our biggest question marks in our offense,” he said. “Markell Thompson is a very athletic guy who we brought in from the junior college ranks. Darnell Carpenter also has had a good off-season and we know what he can do. David Kenner realizes this is his chance to show what he can do.”
The seasoned offensive line will return six players, all of which started at least one game in 2003. The line will rely on the trio of juniors Mike Degory, Lance Butler and Randy Hand. The three started nine games together and should anchor a line that will give Leak the protection he needs to guide the Gators’ lethal offense.
Backing up the line will be senior Mo Mitchell and senior Anthony Guerro. Both backups have the respect of the coaches, and could step in to start at any time.
Zook said the offensive line is in good shape.
“We feel pretty good about the offensive line,” he said. “Mike Degory is as good as any center in the nation. His work ethic is unmatched. You have Lance Butler and Mo Mitchell at the one guard spot and Anthony Guerreo at the other guard spot. Lance had a great off season, and Randy Hand is going into his third season and is getting better and better. It is exciting to be around the young guys and see them become better football players.”
In the backfield the Gators will feature sophomore tailback Skyle Thornton. He will be expected to fill the shoes of departed tailback Ran Carthon. Thornton played in all 13 games and saw action in 123 plays. He carried the ball 21 times for 71 yards in the spring game and has coaches excited about his ability.
“We feel good about our running back position,” Zook said. “We had a talented group back there last year and even with Ran Carthon gone, we still feel pretty good about the backs. Skyler Thornton is a guy who we think has a chance to be a very good back.”
On defense, the Gators will frustrate teams with its size on the defensive line along with its speed in the secondary.
The secondary must overcome the loss of strong safety Guss Scott, SEC defensive player of the year Keiwan Ratliff, cornerback Johnny Lamar and free safety Daryl Dixon.
The Gators will attempt a defensive back overhaul. The team will choose the starters among the talented group of senior Reynaldo Hill, sophomore Demetrice Webb, junior Deshawn Carter and sophomore Nick Brooks.
The safeties include junior free safety Jarvis Herring, who played in 11 games in 2003, and senior strong safety Cory Bailey. Bailey started as the Gators’ nickel back during the first six games in 2003, but also spent time on special teams. He compiled 40 tackles with two interceptions and five pass breakups last season.
Although the experience seems limited for the Gators, Zook said he is not worried.
“We are young but talented in the secondary,” he said. “Both Reynaldo Hill and Dee Webb have a chance to be awful good players for us. It will be an important spring for Deshawn Carter and Nick Brooks to see what they can do; this will be their opportunity. Jarvis Herring and Corey Bailey will be the most experienced guys back in the secondary and have both seen a lot of action over the years.”
The defensive line returns sophomore defensive tackle Ray McDonald. McDonald was named to the SEC All-Freshmen Team after starting in all 12 games in 2003. He had 54 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, four sacks and two forced fumbles. Sophomore Marcus Thomas and sophomore defensive end Kenny Riley will join McDonald to form a formidable line.
Sophomore Steven Harris will look to make an impact at the defensive end position after missing preseason drills and the first three games in 2003 due to a team suspension.
At linebacker, the Gators have a great deal of experience. Sophomores Channing Crowder, Earl Evertt and Travis Harris should fill the gaps for the Gators while providing experience to an already talented squad. Crowder was named The Sporting News SEC Defensive Freshman of the Year after starting nine games and leading the team with 106 tackles in 2003. Everett was named to the SEC All-Freshman team in 2003 and Harris, who played defensive end in 2003, played in all 13 games and started in seven.
“It will be an exciting spring as they all are,” Zook said. “Our goal this year is to be the best we can be. If everyone plays to the best of the their ability, then I think the results of the season will take care of themselves.”