https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNzWuyp3hbw
As Jim McElwain took the practice field as Florida's head coach for the first time Monday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at UF's soccer practice facility, his Gators got acclimated in an up-tempo walk-through that focused mainly on getting down the basic fundamentals of the game.
On a day that he thoroughly enjoyed, McElwain felt his guys even without pads improved on their communication. He was also pleased with how his players have come together and how competitive his units were during the first practice.
"I was excited to hear the guys actually communicating with each other, because if you're all on the same page, even if it's not maybe the exact thing that you wanted, but at least all 11 are working the say way," McElwain said. "I think all of them communicated pretty good. I saw a lot of mic points, I saw communicating the plays at the line of scrimmage. I think all the quarterbacks for the most part, that's something you've got to do. You've got to be the field general out there a little bit, get everybody lined up. And with the 6 or 7 different paces that we play, they've got to take control of that to, so our offense understands what pace we're in for that particular play so; again I was happy with all of them doing that."
[Related: Photo gallery of day one of spring football]
So far, McElwain feels that the Gators are further ahead defensively than on the offensive side of the ball. His top two quarterbacks, Will Grier and Treon Harris, got an opportunity to showcase their passing abilities during and various other drills Monday.
"What a novel concept, isn't it? Taking a snap from center," McElwain joked. "Unbelievable. Something new there, you know. Maybe some time you've got to get in four-minute, bleed the clock a little bit and that helps be under center, maybe a quarterback sneak here and there. We're going to lead with a quarterback sneak. That's a good play."
Even with a short group of offensive linemen, McElwain wants to see an improvement in the running game as the spring progresses.
"We've got to do a lot better job in the run games, understanding the mic points and where we've got to direct too," McElwain said. "But overall you can see some communication going on, and that's really a start so, fun day. Great to be out there and now we get to go watch video; that's even better."
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
A few Gators have notably changed their numbers. They are: --Brandon Powell from #15 to #4, the number Andre Debose wore throughout the previous six seasons --Quincy Wilson from #12 to #6, as he takes over Dante Fowler Jr.'s old number --C.J. Worton from #14 to #18 --Jalen Tabor from #5 to #31 (to possibly avoid any conflict with Ahmad Fulwood if both work together on special teams --Nick Washington from #20 to #8 --Deiondre Porter from #21 to #15 --Matt Rolin from #9 to #25 --Thomas Holley from #56 to #55 --Case Harrison from #81 to #24
Early enrollees Kalif Jackson (#87) and Daniel Imatorbhebhe (#88) will wear Tevin Westbrook and Clay Burton's old numbers
Grier saw the first snap of practice with the following offense line: left tackle David Sharpe, left guard Antonio Riles, center Cameron Dillard, right guard Andrew Mike and right tackle Roderick Johnson. Right guard Travaris Dorsey and right tackle Kavaris Harkless saw reps on the second team at the beginning of practice.
Neither quarterback was sharp passing during route drills, but Grier seemed to have the edge over Harris in that department during the limited session the media got to view.
Trip Thurman (shoulder), Bryan Cox Jr. (hip), Jarrad Davis (meniscus) and Mark Herndon (ACL) all did light exercises, including jump rope, on the west sideline of the field during the beginning 15 minutes of practice. Matt Rolin and Jake McGee stretched with the team and performed non-contact drills
The Gators have added two walk-ons from Palm Bay High School - quarterback Brian Fallace (#13) and defensive back Mark Norvelis (#43)
[db]Vernon Hargreaves III[/db] led the pack during the beginning of stretches and really took a vocal presence at practice.
[db]J.C. Jackson[/db] practiced with the secondary Monday and looked considerably bigger than he did last fall. He's added some muscle to that 5-foot-11, 196-pound frame. Porter also practiced with the defense.
[db]Taven Bryan[/db] saw some first-team defensive line reps along with [db]Jonathan Bullard[/db], [db]Joey Ivie[/db] and [db]Alex McCalister[/db].
As Jim McElwain took the practice field as Florida's head coach for the first time Monday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at UF's soccer practice facility, his Gators got acclimated in an up-tempo walk-through that focused mainly on getting down the basic fundamentals of the game.
On a day that he thoroughly enjoyed, McElwain felt his guys even without pads improved on their communication. He was also pleased with how his players have come together and how competitive his units were during the first practice.
"I was excited to hear the guys actually communicating with each other, because if you're all on the same page, even if it's not maybe the exact thing that you wanted, but at least all 11 are working the say way," McElwain said. "I think all of them communicated pretty good. I saw a lot of mic points, I saw communicating the plays at the line of scrimmage. I think all the quarterbacks for the most part, that's something you've got to do. You've got to be the field general out there a little bit, get everybody lined up. And with the 6 or 7 different paces that we play, they've got to take control of that to, so our offense understands what pace we're in for that particular play so; again I was happy with all of them doing that."
[Related: Photo gallery of day one of spring football]
So far, McElwain feels that the Gators are further ahead defensively than on the offensive side of the ball. His top two quarterbacks, Will Grier and Treon Harris, got an opportunity to showcase their passing abilities during and various other drills Monday.
"What a novel concept, isn't it? Taking a snap from center," McElwain joked. "Unbelievable. Something new there, you know. Maybe some time you've got to get in four-minute, bleed the clock a little bit and that helps be under center, maybe a quarterback sneak here and there. We're going to lead with a quarterback sneak. That's a good play."
Even with a short group of offensive linemen, McElwain wants to see an improvement in the running game as the spring progresses.
"We've got to do a lot better job in the run games, understanding the mic points and where we've got to direct too," McElwain said. "But overall you can see some communication going on, and that's really a start so, fun day. Great to be out there and now we get to go watch video; that's even better."
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
A few Gators have notably changed their numbers. They are: --Brandon Powell from #15 to #4, the number Andre Debose wore throughout the previous six seasons --Quincy Wilson from #12 to #6, as he takes over Dante Fowler Jr.'s old number --C.J. Worton from #14 to #18 --Jalen Tabor from #5 to #31 (to possibly avoid any conflict with Ahmad Fulwood if both work together on special teams --Nick Washington from #20 to #8 --Deiondre Porter from #21 to #15 --Matt Rolin from #9 to #25 --Thomas Holley from #56 to #55 --Case Harrison from #81 to #24
Early enrollees Kalif Jackson (#87) and Daniel Imatorbhebhe (#88) will wear Tevin Westbrook and Clay Burton's old numbers
Grier saw the first snap of practice with the following offense line: left tackle David Sharpe, left guard Antonio Riles, center Cameron Dillard, right guard Andrew Mike and right tackle Roderick Johnson. Right guard Travaris Dorsey and right tackle Kavaris Harkless saw reps on the second team at the beginning of practice.
Neither quarterback was sharp passing during route drills, but Grier seemed to have the edge over Harris in that department during the limited session the media got to view.
Trip Thurman (shoulder), Bryan Cox Jr. (hip), Jarrad Davis (meniscus) and Mark Herndon (ACL) all did light exercises, including jump rope, on the west sideline of the field during the beginning 15 minutes of practice. Matt Rolin and Jake McGee stretched with the team and performed non-contact drills
The Gators have added two walk-ons from Palm Bay High School - quarterback Brian Fallace (#13) and defensive back Mark Norvelis (#43)
[db]Vernon Hargreaves III[/db] led the pack during the beginning of stretches and really took a vocal presence at practice.
[db]J.C. Jackson[/db] practiced with the secondary Monday and looked considerably bigger than he did last fall. He's added some muscle to that 5-foot-11, 196-pound frame. Porter also practiced with the defense.
[db]Taven Bryan[/db] saw some first-team defensive line reps along with [db]Jonathan Bullard[/db], [db]Joey Ivie[/db] and [db]Alex McCalister[/db].
