Gators need immediate contributors on offense, depth on defense in 2016

Two major recruiting themes came up constantly throughout Florida’s 2015 season. There are immediate opportunities to play on offense, and the defense lacks depth. Going into the final stretch of recruiting for the class of 2016, Florida coach Jim McElwain and his staff are addressing both needs, finding it easier to come by depth-building bodies than day-one contributors.

Three positions of need particularly stand out before the bowl game:

QUARTERBACK

Losing after 2015: Will Grier, Josh Grady

Following the transfer of Jeff Driskel, Florida coach Jim McElwain inherited a roster last year with only two scholarship quarterbacks. This year, due to Will Grier’s transfer and the graduation of backup quarterback Josh Grady, a transfer quarterback himself from Vanderbilt, the Gators are in a similar situation with Treon Harris the only lettering scholarship quarterback returning for 2016.

Fortunately for McElwain, two quarterback commits, four-star Feleipe Franks and three-star Kyle Trask, have signed on as early enrollees. By taking UF classes in January, Franks and Trask will be able to join the rest of the team during spring practice.

While a three-quarterback recruiting class seems excessive, the Gators could still use a more polished signal caller ready for Week 1 of the 2016 season. By consequence of lack of depth, Franks may see extensive playing time as a true freshman, but ideally the quarterback with raw talent would have the option to redshirt. Franks’ status could depend on how well journeyman walk-on transfer Luke Del Rio looks heading into the fall.

UF missed on five-star prospect Jacob Eason, who reaffirmed his commitment to Georgia, but is still pursuing four-star recruit Dwayne Haskins, a current Maryland commit.

RECEIVER

Losing after 2015: Demarcus Robinson, Jake McGee

This past season, the Gators passing game depended on a motley crew of junior go-to man Robinson, freshman standout WR Antonio Callaway, a trio of tight ends (McGee, DeAndre Goolsby and C’yontai Lewis) and Brandon Powell, a running back moved to slot receiver.

With the departures of Robinson (NFL draft) and McGee (graduation), the Gators have holes to fill of the reliable pass-catcher variety. Looking over the Florida roster, those holes are more likely to be filled by incoming freshmen than the current backups. To put it simply, former Florida coach Will Muschamp whiffed on recruiting wide receivers.

Three wide receiver commits – four-star Freddie Swain, four-star Josh Hammond and three-star Dre Massey – will enroll in January and take part in spring practice. The Gators could still use another two or three highly rated pass-catchers.

LINEBACKER

Losing after 2015: Antonio Morrison

Florida signed only one linebacker in each of the last two classes and could stand to add some depth in 2016. If Jarrad Davis returns – as he’s publicly stated – for his senior season, it’s a big boost for the Gators defense, but he can’t play the position alone. Alex Anzalone, Matt Rolin and Jeremi Powell have all dealt with injury issues.

UF’s three commits – four-star OLB Jeremiah Moon, three-star ILB David Reese and three-star OLB Vosean Joseph – are a good start, but the Gators could still use more bodies.

OUTLOOK

With 25 current commits, including 11 expected early enrollees, the Gators have the quantity part of the class down already, and are still in pursuit of even more prospects.

The relative quality of the class is debatable. 247Sports ranks UF’s 2016 recruiting class No. 8 in the nation, which seems impressive until realizing that’s only fifth best in the SEC. Two of the seven teams in front of UF are annual opponents FSU (No. 4) and LSU (No. 7).

While the Florida class has racked up its share of four-star recruits (8), the vast majority (17) rate as three-star prospects. Considering all the opportunities for playing time combined with McElwain’s quick turnaround, it’s somewhat surprising that the Gators have yet to land a blockbuster five-star recruit for the class of 2016.

Andrew Olson

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.