Gators filling needs on offense under McElwain
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- When
Jim McElwain arrived at Florida, he found a roster on offense that was in disarray. During his first spring practice, the numbers dropped as low as just six scholarship players on the offensive line.
(Photo: David Lake, 247Sports)
Naturally, adding a bevy of players to that side of the ball was a major focal point in his first two recruiting classes.
The Gators, two years later, have beefed up the numbers by adding 25 players over the two cycles on the offensive side of the ball. And they've done it at virtually every position, adding three quarterbacks, four running backs, seven receivers, a tight end and 10 offensive linemen.
"We got our numbers back," McElwain said on signing day. "I think as we sat here and talked going into spring ball last year, what were we at – six or seven O-linemen, maybe? Something like that? So I’m glad we at least got some bodies there, too."
Florida added three offensive linemen in the 2016 recruiting class, but a much bigger focus was on the skill positions this cycle. The Gators added a whopping 10 skill players, including a bevy of playmakers who figure to see the field early.
There's playing time to be had at virtually every spot, with an open quarterback competition, a running back position that has no clear favorite for the starting job and a receiver corps that, outside of
Antonio Callaway, lacks proven playmakers.
"Obviously that's part of the side that needed most of the restructuring," McElwain said. "Like I said, I think we addressed some of those position needs. I feel really good at the skills spots.
"We obviously had some young offensive linemen and we got a couple we look forward to adding to that. But when you look at it from the receiver, quarterback, running back side, I think we've got some really good talent in there. It'll be fun to watch them because the majority of them are here already, so we'll get a good feel for that this spring."
Of the 10 skill players the Gators added, seven were early enrollees.
The sooner those players come along and get comfortable working at the college level, the better. An offense that ranked 112th nationally in 2015 desperately needs an influx of talent.
McElwain is confident the Gators got it in the 2016 recruiting class.
"Really more so just excited about getting the type of new blood in those different position groups and different meeting rooms, bring a little energy, a little competition, an opportunity to really work up some guys as to how you go about your daily business and how you go about getting better every single day," he said.
"In this short period of time with these new guys it’s been fun to watch how eager they are, but also fun to watch some of the older guys taking these guys under their wings. Kind of a big brother figure. That’s been great to see with the current Gators as well."