When junior Chris Leak arrived on the Florida campus three years ago as the No. 1 recruit in the nation, being the focus of the offense for former coach Ron Zook was a priority. As Florida enters a new era under first-year Florida coach Urban Meyer and the new spread offense, Leak will prove to be even more vital to the success of the team.
When Meyer was hired last spring, he brought not only an impressive resume in coming off an undefeated season at Utah, but also a new spread and option offense.
“Obviously, there’s an element to the offense that was not here last year,” Meyer said. ”
There’s an option element this year that wasn’t around last year, but there are a lot more similarities.”
Aside from running Zook’s three receiver, no-huddle offense the past two years, Meyer said a major difference boils down to communication on the field.
“Last year, they were good on offense, but [Leak] would go through without saying a word during a game,” Meyer said. “There are times when we will do that, but there are ways I would like to see the offense run when the players need to look at the general. The quarterback is the general.”
According to Leak, Meyer’s new system puts the ball in the hands of Florida’s play makers.
“It gets the ball in the hands of your play makers and that’s a great way to get it to them quickly and let them make plays,” Leak said.
Leak, a two-year starter, ranked No. 16 in the nation in
pass efficiency at 144.92. He also passed for 266.4 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2004.
For Leak, his job as a quarterback features no significant changes with the new offense scheme.
“It’s my job to manage the game, make sure the offense protects the ball, try to move the team down field and score points,” Leak said.
Joining Leak in the backfield is junior running back DeShawn Wynn, who is coming off an injury-ridden 2004 season.
Missing four games due to a groin injury, Wynn’s 2004 statistics did not stand up to his stellar freshman campaign.
In 2003, Wynn rushed for 540 yards on 115 carries with eight touchdowns. Seven of his eight touchdowns, all rushing, ranked No. 3 in school history for touchdowns by a freshman behind Emmitt Smith and Fred Taylor.
According to Leak, Florida’s rushing game will play a major role in the new offense.
“I think it’s important to have a running game especially against a big SEC team,” Leak said. “You have to keep the defense on their heels, you have to keep them honest.”
Leading the defense is senior defensive end Jeremy Mincey, who in 2004 finished with 51 tackles and two sacks. Mincey is joined by junior cornerback Demetrice Webb.
Webb finished 2004 as one of the Gator’s top defensive backs, totaling 61 tackles and three interceptions with 10 passes defended.
As Florida’s defensive unit continues to thrive, the team remains in the hands of Leak.
“His leadership skills and his ability to function in this offense as a quarterback are like night and day from the first day we had him at practice,” Meyer said. “He is obviously more vocal, which you have to be.”
Contact Jeff Sentell at [email protected]