Here’s what Blake Alderman and I have gathered so far on Florida’s Saturday practice that was closed to the media:
--On Saturday, UF held a controlled scrimmage in full pads inside of the IPF. Overall, the 3’s and 4’s saw a good share of the work during the practice. According to one source, it was a competitive scrimmage with the team eager to get after it with it being the first scrimmage of the spring.
--Overall, the quarterback play has been better from the collective group since the tail end of last season – and Saturday was an example of that. Luke Del Rio looks more and more like Florida’s guy at the quarterback position. He runs the pro-style system well and looked comfortable operating in it Saturday. One source close to the team said that it seems that unless something drastic happens, Del Rio should win the starting QB job. The system fits his strengths and having the last year in Gainesville has given him an advantage.
--The offense ran quite a bit of hurry up and moved at a quick pace with lots of energy. The quarterbacks were not under center much, taking most of the snaps in shotgun. Taking snaps under center was notably an issue during the open portion of Florida’s Friday spring practice – especially for freshman quarterback Kyle Trask, who fumbled a couple of exchanges on Friday.
--However, during the scrimmage Saturday the first-team defense overall looked strong and made its presence known. The 2’s and 3’s on defense left a lot to be desired.
--On the first rushing play during the scrimmage, Jordan Cronkrite took it to the house. He continues to see work as the first-string running back and impress coaches. Meanwhile, Jordan Scarlett did not participate in the scrimmage due to a hamstring injury.
--Seeing a good number of carries in the backfield Saturday, running back Mark Thompson had overall an OK performance in the scrimmage working against the 3’s and 4’s. Still, he’s leaving a little bit to be desired in some aspects of his game. Coaches want to see the 6-foot-2, 245-pound tailback run consistently harder behind his pads. Still, his physical tools at tailback are intriguing.
--Freshman wideouts Freddie Swain and Josh Hammond were standouts Saturday among the early enrollees Saturday and each caught a handful of balls. Hammond was the Gators' most explosive receiver on the day, with Antonio Callaway (suspension) not being available. That was exemplified on a catch Hammond made on a hitch route, turning upfield, evading a defender and making a big play as he was pushed out of bounds eventually.
--On Saturday, UF held a controlled scrimmage in full pads inside of the IPF. Overall, the 3’s and 4’s saw a good share of the work during the practice. According to one source, it was a competitive scrimmage with the team eager to get after it with it being the first scrimmage of the spring.
--Overall, the quarterback play has been better from the collective group since the tail end of last season – and Saturday was an example of that. Luke Del Rio looks more and more like Florida’s guy at the quarterback position. He runs the pro-style system well and looked comfortable operating in it Saturday. One source close to the team said that it seems that unless something drastic happens, Del Rio should win the starting QB job. The system fits his strengths and having the last year in Gainesville has given him an advantage.
--The offense ran quite a bit of hurry up and moved at a quick pace with lots of energy. The quarterbacks were not under center much, taking most of the snaps in shotgun. Taking snaps under center was notably an issue during the open portion of Florida’s Friday spring practice – especially for freshman quarterback Kyle Trask, who fumbled a couple of exchanges on Friday.
--However, during the scrimmage Saturday the first-team defense overall looked strong and made its presence known. The 2’s and 3’s on defense left a lot to be desired.
--On the first rushing play during the scrimmage, Jordan Cronkrite took it to the house. He continues to see work as the first-string running back and impress coaches. Meanwhile, Jordan Scarlett did not participate in the scrimmage due to a hamstring injury.
--Seeing a good number of carries in the backfield Saturday, running back Mark Thompson had overall an OK performance in the scrimmage working against the 3’s and 4’s. Still, he’s leaving a little bit to be desired in some aspects of his game. Coaches want to see the 6-foot-2, 245-pound tailback run consistently harder behind his pads. Still, his physical tools at tailback are intriguing.
--Freshman wideouts Freddie Swain and Josh Hammond were standouts Saturday among the early enrollees Saturday and each caught a handful of balls. Hammond was the Gators' most explosive receiver on the day, with Antonio Callaway (suspension) not being available. That was exemplified on a catch Hammond made on a hitch route, turning upfield, evading a defender and making a big play as he was pushed out of bounds eventually.
